Have you ever wondered why paints for indoor and outdoor use differ? Having to purchase separate types of paint may seem like a marketing tactic at first glance; Just like a century ago, advertisers tried to persuade women to use separate products for day and night rather than a single multi-purpose skin cream… However, this is not the case for paint; There are significant differences between paints. Even though it is technically possible to use exterior paint indoors, we can start by saying that this is a bad idea.
We like to reuse things we already have to avoid buying something new, but for many health and performance-related reasons this doesn’t apply to using exterior paint on interior projects. But why shouldn’t we use exterior paint on interior surfaces?
health risk
Most paints designed for indoor use are water-based and formulated to produce minimal fumes, wash easily off your skin, and are generally safe to use. Exterior paints are oil- or solvent-based and formulated to withstand moisture, precipitation and direct sunlight, as well as severe temperature fluctuations.
The ingredients that make such durability possible can irritate a person’s skin or eyes, but fumes from the paint pose the greatest threat to health. This is because exterior paints often contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that are released into the air as they dry and harden.
According to Poison Control and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fumes containing common VOCs such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, ethanol, and acetone can cause the following when inhaled:
- Headache
- dizziness
- Nausea
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- loss of coordination
- Damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system
Even if all of a home’s windows and doors are open, there will never be enough ventilation to use exterior paint indoors.
Exterior paint does not have the same effect indoors
Health risks aside, exterior paint is not a good choice for interior projects for many reasons. First of all, it needs sunlight to dry properly. While exterior paint will eventually dry indoors, it will take much longer than interior paint, leaving your walls vulnerable to scratches, scrapes, scuffs, and other dents for a long time.
Does not withstand indoor clutter
Exterior paint may be weatherproof, but interior paint is formulated to withstand daily wear and tear from kids, pets, vacuuming, and indoor moisture. It is also more resistant to grease and oil and easier to clean.
Does not work well on drywall
While exterior paints are great for vinyl, stucco, wood and other home building materials, they don’t adhere very well to drywall.
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