There are quite a few causes for failing paint, and a number of different categories of failure. Fading paint is one of those areas of paint failure. In this article, we will address the most common reason paint fades.
On The Technical Side
Photodegradation can be defined as unwanted change in the properties of a material. In this instance, we’re talking about paint. UV radiation consists of photons with high energy. Sunlight is the strongest source of UV radiation and photodegradation with paint. These UV rays are one of the main reasons why both interior and exterior paints fade.
Constant exposure to high levels of UV rays causes a chemical breakdown in the structure of paint. Exposure happens when sunlight shines through windows on the interior of the home as well as the exterior. The breakdown of paint structure translates to paint failure which can present as fading. This breakdown is the most common reason paint fades.
Interior Paint Fading
A telltale sign that you’ve had paint fading on the interior of your home happens when you move furniture or decor. Many of us have moved a rug on the floor, or a picture from a wall and noticed an outline of that item. These are areas where UV rays have actually damaged the paint finish on those surfaces not covered. So, the wall will show a perfect outline of where that picture was hanging. The paint underneath the picture was protected from the harmful UV rays and therefore not faded.
Exterior Paint Fading
On the exterior of the home the most common reason paint fades is obviously the sun. The exterior fading of paint can also be accelerated by additional environmental forces. Things like hail and freezing/thawing cycles can contribute to exterior fade. So can things like environmental contaminants and high temperatures.
Protection From Paint Fading
Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done about exterior fading. It’s going to happen! However, there are a few things you can do to prolong its occurance. Professional painters know the importance of thourough prep work to get the most longevity from your paint. Most also recommend regular pressure washing of exterior paint to prevent buildup of environmental contaminants. Also, using top quality exterior paint is critical. Most exterior paint last from 5-10 years depending on the geographic location and the quality of the job.
For interior, it’s much easier to protect your paint from fading. The objective is to block or at least filter the UV rays from reaching your interior space. This can be accomplished with curtains or other window coverings. It can also be addressed with actual coatings or tint on the glass panes of windows.
Our last tip to combat the most common reason paint fades is color selection. Lighter colors reflect sunlight rather than absorb it. The reflective lighter colors can significantly help to prolong a paint’s life so they’re worth checking into!
Contact Paint Pals for a free no obligation painting estimate, we have been serving Northern Colorado since 2009 with many happy clients!
