what makes exterior paint different from interior paint. can you use interior paint on the exterior of a house

Answer 1

The most basic differences between the two is the durability of the paint. An exterior paint has special compounds in it which allow it to be more flexible during extreme temperature changes. When going from summer to winter, day temps to night, the paint will maintain its flexibility and 'stretch' rather than crack. An interior paint doesn't go through these kinds of extreme conditions and is not formulated the same as an exterior paint. Technically, you could use an interior paint on the outside of the house but it won't last very long.

Answer 2

The two paints have different chemical properties. Some exterior can be harmful if inhaled for long periods of time so they made a synthetic paint that didn't have the same harmful effects. This is what we now call interior paint. You can use interior paint on your exerior, but it's not suggested. Most exterior paints have added chemical compounds for weather that interior have not got. Say the exterior paint has thermal maintaining properties, waterproof, and provides a sealant outside for blocking out cold air and water leaks. Interior paint would be luckt to have MAYBE a water proof compound. So it's not suggested to use interior paint on the exterior of your home.

Answer 3

They aren't the same.

Interior paint isn't made to hold up against the weather. The sun & rain will destroy it and you'll need to repaint in a month!

Don't try and go "inexpensive" with it - you'll just have to do it again!