Putting a quality coat of paint on the exterior surfaces of your home is an eco-efficient thing to do. Paint and coatings beautify and protect while preserving the outside layer to which they are applied. Think of it as conserving energy and material resources that improve the visual quality of our environment. Exterior coatings resist the damaging effects of wind, rain and sunlight, preventing the deterioration of wood, metal and masonry substrates so that buildings last longer and require less maintenance. Exterior coatings contribute to energy efficiency and air quality improvement through the raising of light reflectance (albedo) of surfaces, thus reducing the “urban heat island” effect.
Inside your home, covering porous walls and wood rails increases the resistance to oily hands, staining, and abrasion upon contact. It helps to keep residences and workplaces clean and sanitary while improving the efficiency of your lighting. Seen from this perspective, painting your home allows you to maximize your environmental benefits as you minimize aggregate ecological burdens. With consistency in the upkeep of your home, you can prevent wasteful and inefficient use of energy and material resources from within your surroundings.
For more information on Greening your Home, click here for the US Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide.
