Why Using Exterior Paint Inside Isn't a Good Idea

Using exterior paint for a bathroom may sound like a good idea, but your body may not think so. Read why using this paint may do more harm than good for your well being.

Exterior paint has many wonderful benefits. It is durable enough to withstand the elements of the seasons. It is washable enough to remove mold and mildew from its surface and can hold its color from the sun. There is no doubt that exterior paint is great for the outside, but is it a good solution for your interior needs?

Some home improvement do-it yourselfers like to use exterior paint in their interior bathrooms because it is so durable and that may sound like a good solution for a moisture prone area, but it can actually do more harm than good for your well being in the home.

There is much talk today about certain buzz words like VOC's (Volital Organic Compounds), going green, and sick building syndrome. VOC's are harmful odors released into the air from certain everyday products. These VOC's can cause "sick building syndrome", a term used for people who react to the odors in a building negatively. Negative reactions can include nausea, lightheadedness, and headaches to name a few. Many people want to reduce these VOC's to make air quality better which is what going green is all about.

One product that is a major culprit to air quality in the home is paint. Manufacturers of paint are becoming more sensitive to this and are putting low-odor or fume-free paint on the market to reduce the amount of VOC's inside the home.

Exterior paint has a different viscosity or "recipe" than an interior paint so it can withstand the elements. And this means that there are a few more chemicals in an exterior paint than there are in an interior. And this boils down to one thing for the consumer, it means that exterior paint has more fumes than an interior paint does.

Putting an exterior paint inside the bathroom can be harmful because the fumes from the paint can take days, weeks, or in some cases, months to go away. Most people that I've known who have tried to use exterior paint for a bathroom have redone it because they just couldn't stand the fumes.

So what's the best solution for a moisture-prone room like a bathroom? A paint that is specially made for kitchens and bathrooms will work, or you can also use a regular semi-gloss interior paint. Either one will give you durability, an easy surface to wash and wipe down, and, if you choose a good quality paint, a three to five year mildew resistance.

Another way to eliminate some of the excess moisture buildup in your bathroom is to use the fan for both during and after your shower. Moisture and mold problems
can be prevented if you leave the fan on for at least 30 minutes after your shower. The same can be done if you have a window in your bathroom.