Can I Use Exterior Paint Inside? Find out the Best Paint for Home Interiors

If you are planning a do-it-yourself painting project, you might want to save money. The materials you will use come first in mind. By painting the interior of your house, using paint for indoor use is a must. But many people say it won’t last long, especially if you have little kids at home, hand stains are inevitable. So, you might think of using exterior paint inside.

Is it right and safe to use exterior paint inside your home? Many homeowners are using exterior paint without knowing how it will affect their health.

Is it safe to use exterior paint inside the house?

You are on a tight budget, but you want to repaint the interior of your home. We know exterior paints last longer than interior paints. Thus, you decide to use it in your painting project. Before applying this type of paint to your wall, you must consider some factors related to your health and the environment. 

Maybe you want to know Best Primer For Plaster – a Perfect Protector of Your House

Yes, you can use the exterior paint inside, but be mindful of the safety measures to prevent the health hazards involved. Expect that outdoor paints have fumes that may pose an inconvenience to your family. 

Here are some important safety measures to practice:

• Before and during the painting process, make sure that there is proper ventilation in your home. Otherwise, exterior paint is not advisable if the ventilation at home is poor. 
• Select and use exterior paints with a lesser VOC level. It may be expensive, but less harmful to health.
• Before starting the task, let your family move to another house. For your information, the fumes emitted by the paint may stay in the place for about six months.
• Every time you enter the house, wear a high-quality mask. Let the fan run with all the doors and windows open.
• The paint tins must be covered when not in use to reduce the emission of fumes. 

Why do exterior paints pose serious risks?

Outdoor paints contain paint fumes or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These are chemicals harmful to breathe in. The risk is higher if you will use an electric sprayer to apply the paint because of the mist. The VOC is harmful, but it makes the paint hold and binds strongly to the surface. 

It is dangerous to inhale the VOC not only to humans but also to animals, likewise to the environment. Inhaling the fumes can cause nausea, headaches, and lightheadedness. It may cause respiratory effects if you have a weak immune system and worse life-threatening diseases.

Another serious risk that outdoor paints pose is their flammability property. Most exterior paints are oil-based, making them more flammable than water-based interior paints. With this, it is not an excellent choice to use on kitchen walls because there is a great chance of catching fire. Consider the place where you will use the outdoor paint.

What are the best features of exterior paints?

Because of the VOC content of outdoor paints, they can withstand environmental conditions. Thus, it guarantees the color does not fade too soon. It will save you money from repainting the surface. It can withstand the intense heat or cold inside your house. 

The formula of outdoor paints includes additives best for shielding UV rays, pollutants, and water damages. With this, it guarantees durability. Thus, nothing to worry about liquid spilling and other factors that cause damage to the paint.

Is it good to coat furniture with exterior paints?

The chemical contents of exterior paints prevent bugs and termites from eating the wood. Thus, it works well to coat on wood furniture. It can provide the best shield on wood surfaces and eventually maintain aesthetic appeal. 

Like painting any other surfaces, you must prepare the furniture surface before applying the paint. Sand first the wood to achieve smooth and better results. It gives a good coat on kitchen cabinets, tables, and chairs. 

Why the VOC in exterior paints dangerous?

The VOC or volatile organic compounds carry a serious concern, especially if you will use them indoors. The oil-based outdoor paints contain a high level of the compound, but the water-based counterpart has a lesser level of chemicals. You can also find exterior paint with zero VOC.

Never attempt to apply outdoor paint in an enclosed room. As mentioned above, it is essential that the room has adequate ventilation. The fumes linger in the atmosphere even when the paint dries. It is not ideal to apply outdoor paints during the windy season to prevent the spread of VOC on your neighbors. 

As much as possible, use a brush in applying the paint so that the VOC would not spread too much. When applying the outdoor paint, see to it you are wearing protective gears, especially the face mask. Keep in mind that the closer you are to the paint, the more fumes you might likely inhale. That is why it is not advisable to apply the paint with people or pets around. 

If you are on a tight budget, using outdoor paint can solve the problem. But it must be the last option. It is expensive than indoor paints considering the fact that they can protect your home from fierce factors. Use it only for an essential reason otherwise, think about your health and the risk factor of outdoor paints. 

If you are interested in How to Paint Popcorn Ceiling Easily Step by Step, click here to see more detail

Conclusion

Is it safe to use exterior paint indoors? This post gives you details or information that will guide you in deciding whether to use such paint inside your house. Yes, it offers many advantages, but it also poses a lot of risks to your health and the environment. 

Always prioritize your health over the aesthetics of your home. But if you have another home to move on to while there is the presence of fumes in your current house, then go with the exterior paints. Do not ignore the hazards of VOC, though it provides the best results on the wall.

The decision is in your hands. Do not use this paint unless you can practice the safety precautions. Otherwise “better safe than sorry.”