Ask the Experts at Sherwin-Williams Paints: Summer Edition

Summer is the perfect time to take care of any exterior projects in your home. Why? Most paints require a temperature above 50° F, and the paint should be applied when the weather will be dry for several days (no rain or heavy dew). In North America, most areas are limited seasonally in their ability to paint their exterior year-round.

While newer developments in paint, such as Sherwin-Williams exterior acrylic latex products like Duration, Resilience, and SuperPaint allow painting in temperatures as low as 30°, they still require dry conditions.

Because of these restrictions and the fact that most areas in North America have a limited exterior painting season, the window to paint your home is often reduced to just a couple of months in the summer and early fall.

Making the right decision on paint type can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available and since it's so important for your exterior paint's longevity. To further clarify this matter, we sat down with the experts at Sherwin-Williams to answer all your summer-related paint questions.

Summer Painting Questions Answered by the Pros

Q: Summer can be hot! Is there paint best for places with a high heat index? Something that can protect homes from the relentless sun?

A: A good choice is the most durable paint! One example is the Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint, which offers exceptional durability, a mildew-resistant coating, and extreme resistance to blistering, peeling, and color fade. This product is often recommended for areas with high heat or lots of moisture, such as properties near large bodies of water.

Q: What is the difference between a stain and a paint? Should you stain or paint a porch?

A: Well, stains tend to be penetrating products, meaning they soak into the pores of the wood, while paints are film builders sitting on top of the wood.

If the porch is mostly covered – not exposed to the elements – painting would make most sense. Sherwin-Williams offers a product called Porch and Floor Enamel that can be applied to clean, dull, and dry wood and concrete surfaces. This is a two-coat system and does not require a primer.

If the porch is exposed to a lot of UV, rain, or snow, staining might be a better choice. Sherwin-Williams offers a stain product line called the SuperDeck® Deck Care System. There are four different stains that you can choose from:

• Clear: While offering the least UV protection, clear stains provide an optimum view of the natural wood grain.

• Toners: Toners provide a light color that highlights the wood grain and provides good durability.

• Semi-Transparent Stains: Semi-transparent stains provide very good durability and a rich, pigmented color that allows the natural wood grain to show through. For severely weathered natural wood, Sherwin-Williams recommends applying two coats of semi-transparent stain.

• Solid Color Stains: Solid color stains help cover up wood blemishes or unsightly grain while offering maximum durability. Advanced technology makes Solid Color Stain a perfect choice for composite decking.

Keep in mind that the more pigment (color) in the stain, the longer it will last and the more protection it will have against the elements, specifically UV.

Q: How do you protect wood that is around a pool? This area sees so much moisture that it can often be difficult to protect.

A: For porches and decks that surround a pool, Sherwin-Williams carries a product called H&C Acryla-Deck® Water-Based Deck Coating. This is a solid water-based stain for both concrete and wooden horizontal exterior surfaces. It is highly resistant to pool chemicals and many other household chemicals for long-lasting beauty and protection. It has excellent color retention and chalk resistance, outstanding resistance to blistering, and can be tinted in various custom color options.

We also like the H&C Cool Feel concrete stain and sealer. Its advanced technology actually keeps concrete cooler to the touch and stain-resistant. It’s the perfect addition to concrete exposed to the sun and pool water—its composition is resistant to the chemicals found in pools, so it won’t degrade and will keep working summer after summer.

Looking to Transform Your Exterior This Summer?

Thanks to our national partner, Sherwin-Williams, for this expert advice on the best ways to prepare your home this summer. If you're looking to transform your exterior this season, our crew at 360° Painting can help. We’re proud to partner with Sherwin-Williams to bring the best paints and stains to your home or business!