How Temperature Affects Painting Interior Walls

ECOS Paints 01/30/2020
How Temperature Affects Painting Interior Walls

It’s time to start planning your spring and summer home projects, whether you plan on restaining your hardwood floors or giving some rooms a fresh coat of paint. The sooner you begin planning, the easier starting your projects will be. If painting is on your list of projects, then you need to make sure you’re following healthy and safe painting practices to get the most out of your projects. To start, we’ll talk about how temperature affects painting interior walls. This information is especially important for people working on projects in the heat, humidity, and maybe even the cold.

Temperature Recommendations

The temperature recommendations on the paint can are there for a reason. The type of paint you use, the temperature of the room you paint, and the temperature where you store the paint can affect drying time. For a paint to bond properly to the wall, these factors must fall within the range specified on the can.

Painting in the Cold

Lower temperatures cause some paints to thicken, leading to uneven coats, running paint lines, and even sagging. In the same vein, if the walls are too cold and the paint is at the right temperature, the project still may not end well, as the paint won’t bond as well to the walls.

To avoid a ruined project, make sure to follow the paint temperature recommendations. With ECOS Paints’ nontoxic* interior paint, you don’t want to paint in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool temperatures will result in longer dry and recoat times with our paint. Learn more about how our paints hold up in humidity below.

Humidity and Drying Paint

Just as cold paint and cold walls make for a project redo, humidity can have similar effects. Water-based paints (all ECOS paints are water-based) rely on a calculated ratio of ingredients, including the ratio of water to pigment, resin, and any other ingredients. When you paint in a humid room, the water vapor in the air can contribute to a thinner mixture. A thin paint will increase dry times and possibly necessitate extra coats.

High humidity can also cause surface leaching, or a brown or white discoloration on the surface of the paint. When paint is exposed to excessively high humidity, the protective qualities of the paint may be compromised. If you’re painting in the heat, you’ll want to keep some windows open and fans blowing—maybe even a dehumidifier. Following these steps can improve the chances of a quality paint project.

You can also ensure a quality paint project when you choose a quality paint, and for that you should turn to ECOS Paints. Our non-toxic interior paint will provide you with just the finish you need for your project. Whether you want eggshell, matte, or chalkboard paint, our non-toxic, zero-VOC** paint that will keep your air quality fresh and your paint game strong. Start shopping now!

*Conforms to ASTMD-4236, specifically concerning oral toxicity, skin irritation, and respiratory effects.

**Conforms to CDPH 01350 (VOC emissions test taken at 11, 12, and 14 days for classroom and office use).

CATEGORIES DIY Projects Tips & Tricks

COMMENTS

LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST