Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • MATERIALS
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • RESOURCES
  • EVENTS
  • DIRECTORIES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • CONTACT
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Latest News
  • Market Trends & Reports
  • Price Alerts
  • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
  • Weekly Featured Article
  • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
  • Product News
  • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
  • Additives
  • Resins/Polymers
  • Pigments
  • Equipment
  • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • Adhesives
  • Architectural Coatings
  • FINISHING
  • Industrial Coatings
  • Nanotechnology
  • Powder Coatings
  • Solventborne
  • Special Purpose Coatings
  • Sustainability
  • UV Coatings
  • Waterborne
  • FINISHING
  • Finishing News
  • Finishing Technologies
  • Finishing Equipment
  • Finishing Today
  • RESOURCES
  • Columns
  • Blogs
  • Coatings Supplier Handbook
  • Podcasts and Videos
  • PCI Store
  • Classifieds
  • eBooks
  • Sponsor Insights
  • White Papers
  • COATLE Word Game
  • Columns
  • Ask Joe Powder
  • Did you know?
  • Distribution Dive
  • Focus on Canada
  • Formulating With Mike
  • Innovation Insights
  • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
  • Powder Coating Perspectives
  • Target the Market
  • TiO2 Insider
  • Blogs
  • Editor's Viewpoint
  • Industry Insights
  • Podcasts and Videos
  • COAT-IT! Podcast
  • Videos/PCI TV
  • EVENTS
  • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
  • Paint and Coatings Academy
  • Webinars
  • Calendar of Events
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
  • Buyer's Guide
  • Equipment Directory
  • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
  • Current Issue
  • eMagazine Archive
  • China Issue Archive
  • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to eMagazine
  • Subscribe to eNewsletters
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
      • Finishing Today
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Ask Joe Powder
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Focus on Canada
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • Target the Market
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • SIGN UP!

The Difference Between Interior and Exterior Paint

By Kevin Jefferson
The Difference Between Interior and Exterior Paint
August 26, 2020

Different paints come with different properties, as they are manufactured for different purposes. Exterior paint is formulated to handle mildew and fading. Interior paint, on the other hand, is made to allow cleaning and resist staining.

To understand the difference between these two types of paint, one needs to gain knowledge of the chemistry behind each type. Let’s take a closer look at both types and see how exactly they differ from one another:

 

The Basics

All paints are formulated from the same basic ingredients. These include resins, additives, solvents and pigments.

The component that causes paint to be “wet” is the solvent. This component evaporates over time as the paint dries. What’s left is the rest of the components - additives, pigments and resins.

Out of these lasting components, the pigment is what gives the paint color. Additives, on the other hand, give it different properties, like mildew resistance. Finally, resins bind the paint to the surface. They’re typically made of silicone, acrylic or epoxy.

In both the exterior and interior paint, the pigments and solvents share similarities. For outdoors, water-based or oil-based paints can be used. For interior work, however, oil-based paints are not recommended. This is because of their odor and the fact that they’re difficult to clean.

 

What is the Difference Between Interior and Exterior Paint?

Even though there can be many subtle differences between these two types, the primary one is the choice of resin. As we already mentioned, the resin is the component that binds the pigment to the material you’re painting on.

Exterior paint has to survive being exposed to moisture and huge temperature changes. It also has to resist fading, chipping and peeling. Because of these reasons, the resins used in the manufacture of exterior paints have to be softer.

For interior paints, huge temperature changes and moisture are not an issue. Therefore, the resins used in their manufacture can be more rigid. This, in turn, cuts down on smearing and scuffing.

 

Characteristics of Exterior Paint

  • This type of paint is exposed to various weather conditions. Therefore, it has to provide protection against moisture caused by rain and snow, and ultraviolet radiation caused by sunlight. It also has to protect against fungal growth.
  • These paints are made to combat fading and mildew. Facing the UV radiation mentioned above, as well as very high temperatures, they need to be fade-resistant.
  • As already mentioned, the resins used for exterior paints are soft. This also makes them very flexible. As such, they don’t easily crack on contraction or expansion. This allows them to survive the ill effects of moisture and temperature changes.
  • By simply changing the sheen, this type of paint can be applied to various substrates. During rain, a house’s exterior absorbs small amounts of water. Flat paint won’t bubble - it will allow the water to escape.
  • As it releases more volatile organic compounds, exterior paint is unsafe for indoor use. Moreover, it requires sunlight to cure.

 

Characteristics of Interior Paint

  • This type of paint is used for decoration and aesthetics. At the same time, interior paint adds properties of dampness prevention, washability and easy maintenance.
  • Interior paint is formulated in such a way that it can withstand abrasion. As it occupies the same space as people, it is also designed to be more delicate than exterior paint.
  • This type of paint resists staining and can be scrubbed. As it doesn’t have to deal with sunlight, it has no fade-resisting properties. Also, it doesn’t need sunlight to get cured.
  • It is also washable. Roller and brush marks, as well as marks and spots left behind by kids and pets, can be easily cleaned.
  • Interior paint needs to have a low amount or zero volatile organic compounds. This reduces health risks and is vital to preserving air quality in one’s home.

 

Where Can One be Used Over the Other?

In exterior paints, the added resins can cause outgassing. This process typically doesn’t last longer than two days. However, outgassing can continue for years, albeit in much smaller amounts. This is why exterior paint should never be used indoors.

For stucco and masonry, a flat sheen exterior paint should be used. This allows surfaces such as these to breathe, letting the moisture escape through the paint. This is particularly important for brick walls.

As mentioned, interior paints are much more delicate. Moreover, they do not outgas in the same way, so using them indoors is safe. Adequate ventilation during painting is still important, though.

As a final note, there are also paints that can be used both outdoors and indoors. These “universal” paints are extremely versatile but do come with their own disadvantages. If you’re in doubt about which type of paint you should use, talk to a professional painter.

For more information, visit http://www.plainhelp.com.

KEYWORDS: exterior coatings interior coatings Interior Paints

Share This Story

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Blog Topics

Editor's Viewpoint

Journey to Sustainability

Industry Insights

Recent Comments

clearly and in detail

Broken Planet Stargazing Hoodie

Can we apply form the out of USA...

Education for Kids

The team at window film brooklyn is...

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

The Coatings Minute: Why Industry News Matters More Than Ever

The Coatings Minute: Why Industry News Matters More Than Ever

CTT Registration Now Open

CTT Registration Now Open

The Coatings Minute: Print Returns with PCI’s New Showcase Issue

The Coatings Minute: Print Returns with PCI’s New Showcase Issue

The Coatings Minute: Your Inside Look at PCInnovations

The Coatings Minute: Your Inside Look at PCInnovations

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the PCI audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of PCI or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Modern arapartment complex painted in bright colors.
    Sponsored byEPS - Engineered Polymer Solutions

    Architectural Polymers Leading the Way in Coatings Innovation

  • paint sprayer in a workshop
    Sponsored byallnex

    Enabling Performance and Compliance: allnex Introduces a New Line of VOC Exempt Solvent-Borne Resins

Popular Stories

No. 3 AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel to Close Two Manufacturing Sites

BASF SE Logo

BASF Reportedly Eyes Exit from Coatings

Modern arapartment complex painted in bright colors.

Architectural Polymers Leading the Way in Coatings Innovation



PCI Buyers Guide

Submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to suppliers of your choice with details on what you need with a click of a button

Start your RFP

Browse our Buyers Guide for manufacturers and distributors of all types of coatings products and much more!

Find Suppliers

Events

September 3, 2025

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit

The Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Summit is an annual conference for both liquid and powder coatings formulators and manufacturers to discuss innovations in coatings technology. This event combines high-quality technical presentations, a resource-rich exhibit hall, and dedicated networking opportunities to connect scientific minds, foster innovation, and cultivate game-changing new ideas!

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Longest-running laboratory experiment

What is the longest-running laboratory experiment?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

CTT Summit Short Courses (Live 9/3/25)

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit is expanding its offerings with four short courses. These short courses will offer an extensive day of interactive learning.

See More Products
pci  webinar april 2025

PCI CASE EBOOK
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
      • Finishing Today
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Ask Joe Powder
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Focus on Canada
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • Target the Market
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • SIGN UP!