Choosing Paint for your Outdoors? A guide by Bluebird Paints.

Bluebird paints have created the ultimate guide to help you understand all the factors that should be taken into account before selecting exterior paints. This is because exterior paints reflect the long-term commitment and say a lot about the homeowners’ taste, therefore renovators are particularly careful while making paint selections for their outdoors.

01. Do you have the right Swatches?

The most tried and tested way to ensure the appeal and feel of exterior paints is to test swatches and create a list of mockups. This is most important because external shades often wear out or become lighter over time because of weather conditions and light reflections during the day. By creating swatches and testing them throughout the day, the homeowners would be able to understand how their houses would appear at different times during the day. These swatches would aid visualization and make it possible to come to a conclusion based on trial and error.

02. What’s the quality and type of Surface being painted?

There is a wide range of paints available for wood, brick and metal that are specific to these materials. By deciding which material is being painted, it would be easier to determine which kind of paint to use (water-based or oil-based). Additionally, the quality of the surface also matters for paint selection. In case of an old surface being repainted, it is crucial to wash, clean and dry the surface before it can be painted upon. Pent-up dust, mould or even moss needs to be sanded to ensure the paint can be applied smoothly. Moreover, using a primer or undercoat for exterior surfaces would be ideal considering the wear and tear. A primer would ensure the long life of the top coat and would strengthen the paint mixture. In order to paint wooden sheds, gardens and fences wood paint, wood stain and wood varnish would be ideal. Similarly, for painting a deck, acrylic latex paints would do the job because of their high resin content. For the front doors, which is a high-traffic area, Bluebird suggests enamel paints with a high gloss finish so that it could prevent flaking and nicks. The type of paint and the type of finish are entirely dependent on the surface and its existing conditions.

03. What are the climatic conditions and where are you located?

Choosing the right kind of outdoor paint requires first evaluating the weather conditions in the region. In case of constant rains and showers, homeowners should choose water-resistant paints. Similarly, in case of erratic weather trends, homeowners could invest in weather-resistant paints that are created with unique properties to fight dust, moulds and flaking. In fact, such paints are often over-priced but they come with a decade’s worth of warranty which is ideal and cost-effective. Bluebird has a series of weather emulsion shades that aims to protect exterior surfaces against harsh weather conditions and preserve the quality of paint. This would also work for homeowners that are located on busy streets or near commercial areas as the weather shield paints would protect the outdoor paints from pollution and dust. Additionally, the weather conditions are also very important at the time of paint application. In warmer temperatures, the paint may dry out too fast resulting in undesired clusters or lap marks. Similarly, rain or wind would also have an impact on the final appearance of external surfaces. Therefore, keeping the weather conditions in mind is necessary during the time of application as well as while choosing the quality and type of paint!

5. Using Complementary Colors: Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple. When placed next to each other, complementary colors create contrast and make each other appear more vibrant. Artists and DIY enthusiasts can use complementary colors to create dynamic and visually striking compositions. 6. Experimenting with Color Temperature: Color temperature refers to the perceived warmth or coolness of a color. Warm colors, such as reds, oranges, and yellows, are associated with energy and passion, while cool colors, such as blues, greens, and purples, are associated with calmness and tranquility. By playing with color temperature, artists and DIY enthusiasts can evoke different emotions and moods in their work. 7. Achieving Color Harmony: Color harmony is the pleasing arrangement of colors in a composition. It can be achieved through various techniques, such as using analogous colors (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel), using a limited color palette, or using colors in proportion to their visual weight. By achieving color harmony, artists and DIY enthusiasts can create visually appealing and balanced compositions. 8. Embracing Creativity: Color mixing is not just a science – it's also an art. Artists and DIY enthusiasts are encouraged to experiment with different colors, techniques, and mediums to discover their own unique style and voice. Whether you're blending colors on a canvas or mixing paints for a home DIY project, color mixing is a creative journey that allows you to express yourself in new and exciting ways. In conclusion, color mixing is a versatile and essential skill for artists and DIY enthusiasts alike. By understanding the basics of color theory, experimenting with different mixing techniques, and embracing creativity, you can unlock a world of possibilities and take your artistry to new heights. So grab your paints, mix up some colors, and let your creativity soar.

04. What’s your neighbourhood like?

The street and the landscape of the homeowners also matter when picking out shades for the outdoors.  The surroundings and their hues matter in picking out the right shade so that the house fits right in instead of standing out. For example on a street with white and black houses, shades like dark grey would be apt. This way the dark grey house would contrast the surroundings and would also look appealing on its own. Additionally, looking at the natural elements in one’s neighbourhood would also be ideal. For example, a house located next to a park or greenery would look better in darker shades.

05. What shades and paints have you used for your interiors?

In order to make sure the entire house is cohesive and bound together, the exteriors must match or contrast with the interiors. The exterior gives away the first glance or feel of what the house is like from the inside, therefore the shades must be in sync. Moreover, some windows and openings within the house may be designed such that the exterior area of the house is visible to individuals inside. In those cases especially, matching the two colours is crucial. It isn’t necessary that both the outdoor and indoor match, however, there needs to be some sort of a connection or combination so that the overall appeal is cohesive.

Bluebird provides a wide range of options for exterior paints. For wood, the brand has options like Synthetic Varnish, Polyurethane Varnish and HiReflekt PU 2k. These substances are easy to apply, watertight and resistant to UV radiation making them a compatible choice for exterior painting. Bluebird exterior varnish is an easy-to-apply single-component formula that provides a long-lasting finish that is highly resistant to scratches, abrasion, water, food stains, grease and detergents. Not just that, Bluebird has gloss and matt enamel as ideal options for outdoor paints as well. Bluebird Gloss Enamel is a high-quality solvent-based super gloss finish, suitable for use on all types of exterior wood and metal surfaces. Bluebird Gloss Enamel gives a smooth mirror-like finish whereas the Matt Enamel is washable and ideal for traffic areas.

The above-mentioned guide compiled by Bluebird can help homeowners understand the different factors that need to be considered before picking the right paint for their outdoors!

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