Owning a home requires effort to keep it in tip-top shape. And many of the repairs and finishings are on the exterior of the house.
However, if you have leftover paint, it would be a waste not to use it. Like many homeowners, you may wonder if you can use exterior paint inside. Here, our professional painters will answer related questions on this topic.
Outside vs Inside Paint
Various paint types have different formulations, and there are distinct differences between exterior paint and interior paint.
One difference involves the formulation where one can resist environmental conditions, whereas the other is formulated for living spaces. Here are other key points you need to know:
Exterior Paint
Most exterior paint options are designed to be more durable with better coverage. These kinds of paints adhere to the surfaces very well. Furthermore, these paints resist fading. These kinds of paints are usually waterproof acrylic latex. More of quality waterproof paint for wood!
Exterior acrylic latex paint can effectively work on exterior surfaces, including fiber cement, wood, brick, and stucco. Make sure to contact a contractor you trust that can help you with this painting job.
However, these paints are formulated to contain harmful substances and emit strong odors. Once these odors are inhaled can cause irritations and dizzy spells.
Exterior paint is resilient outdoors because it’s damage and weather resistant. It has a durable coating formulated with resins. These resins help the paint contract and expand.
Interior Paint
Most interior paints are formulated for interior walls found inside the house. Furthermore, most interior paint is washable and has low odor, splatter, and scratch resistance.
They are formulated with organic pigments. Furthermore, they contain minimal concentrations of VOCs and other detrimental chemicals.
These kinds of paints will fade and become prone to flaking as time goes by, especially when continuously exposed to direct sunlight. They are also water-soluble and lack mildewcide, making them susceptible to snow, heat, and rain.
See Also: How Many Coats of Paint Should You Apply on the Wall?
Is it Okay to Use Exterior Paint Indoors?
It is not advisable to use exterior paint indoors. The weather and physical resistance that exterior paints may have seemed an excellent choice for indoors, but there are crucial reasons why you should not use it on indoor surfaces:
- Exterior paints take a longer time to dry.
- They contain harmful chemicals dangerous to you and your family, who will inhale the paint daily.
- Exterior paints have different performances when applied indoors
Drawbacks of Using Outside Paint Indoors
Now that you know that you can’t use exterior paint inside the house, you can choose an appropriate option from the supermarket or hardware store. If, however, you have accidentally painted it indoors, you should know the following risks:
Risk of Toxic Fumes
Most exterior paints have more pigment and chemicals added to them. While these pigments give the paint more vibrance and saturation.
These paints also have volatile organic compounds, known as health hazards. Here are some of the VOCs[1] found in exterior paint.
- Benzene
- Ethylene glycol
- Formaldehyde
- Methyl chloride
- Tetrachloroethylene
- Toluene
- Xylene
- 1,3-butadiene
Some health hazards with continuous exposure to VOCs include the following.
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Irritation
- Loss of coordination
- Damage to internal organs
Undesirable Results
Exterior paints work best outdoors, especially since it needs sunlight to cure. If applied indoors, it might take a while for it to dry. Furthermore, it might result in smudged surfaces, thus undesirable results.
Cleaning Inconvenience
Most of the exterior paints are waterproof, which makes them difficult to clean up in the event of spills.
Interesting Read:
What Would Happen if You Use Interior Paint Outside?
Indoor paints can be used outside. However, it is not recommended. Here are some things that can happen once you use interior paint outdoors.
- Indoor paints are not formulated to withstand the elements
- Indoor paints will fade away with time and exposure to the sun
- Indoor paints will peel and crack away
Here are some advantages of using indoor paints outside.
- Readily available
- User friendly
- It comes in a variety of colors
- Looks nice under the sunlight
Here are some disadvantages of using indoor paints outside.
- Not formulated for outside use
- Not heat resistant
- Not moisture resistant
Mixing Exterior and Interior Paint: Is it Doable?
You can mix interior and exterior paints. However, as discussed in the article, exterior paints contain high concentrations of VOCs. Once applied inside confined spaces of the house can be risky to your family’s health.
Is it Worth Risking?
It is not worth risking to mix exterior and interior paints. It is also not worth painting the exterior paints indoors.
How are Indoor Air and Painting Related?
Indoor air quality is directly affected by the fumes that paint emits. It is best to apply paint based on its intended purpose and place of application.
Recommended Read:
FAQ
What should I do if I unintentionally used outdoor paint inside?
Do not worry if you unintentionally use outdoor paint inside. If this happens, you can apply a primer on the walls and paint them using interior paint.
Furthermore, it is best to consult the paint manufacturer’s instructions or contact a professional for further guidance on how to safely and effectively remove or rectify the situation.
What should I add to my interior paint to make it suitable for exterior applications?
You don’t need to add anything to interior paints to make them suitable for exterior applications. Interior paints are formulated solely for indoor use.
Next Read: Is Spray Paint Resistant to Water?
Conclusion
We hope our pro painters answered all your questions on whether or not you can use exterior paint inside. Interior and exterior paint are very different, especially since they are formulated differently.
It is best to understand the pros and cons of each to maximize the paint. Make sure to utilize outdoor paint for exterior use and indoor paint for indoor living space.
- Dewalt DWE575SB Review (2023) — Is it Worth it? - September 24, 2023
- DeWalt DCS369B Review (2023) — Cutting Edge Precision and More - September 23, 2023
- Dewalt DCS361B Sliding Miter Saw Review — A Cut Above the Rest (2023) - September 22, 2023
