Picking the best paints for coastal homes

Coastal homes are popular for a reason — but with the sea views and fresh ocean breezes comes the burden of maintenance and upkeep in a corrosive environment.

Materials used in a coastal house have to be able to withstand the seaside-specific elements of salt air, high humidity and wind-blasted sand, as well as the normal wear and tear caused by exposure to strong sunlight.

Using harsh-weather-resistant materials such as decay-resistant woods in construction is a first step, but every bit as important is picking primers and paints that will tolerate the conditions. Carol Ras of Plascon Professional says, ‘We often find that coastal homes’ need more frequent maintenance than those in inland areas. No matter how good the paint job may be, it really comes down to the type of paints you use and whether or not they are strong enough to withstand the elements.’

Exterior paints really do take a beating on a beachfront home, but a lasting coastal paint job is possible with careful preparation and the right paints. First, all surfaces need to be washed to remove any salt residue or mildew. And the surfaces must be dry before moving on to priming. Plascon Professional Bridging Compound can be used as a sealer coat on walls and parapets to bridge small plaster cracks and repaired plaster cracks

For the topcoat, Plascon’s experts highly recommend one of its durable pure acrylic emulsion paints, such as Plascon Professional Superior Matt. Suitable for plaster walls and wood (among other surfaces), Professional Superior Matt features Silicone Enhanced Acrylic Technology (SEAT) for improved  protection against moisture and stain resistance. And there is also Plascon Professional Aquarista, a durable pure acrylic emulsion paint with low water-absorption properties to prevent the ingress of moisture and  good flexibility which allows it to expand and contract over cracked surfaces.