Be sure you pick the right vinyl house paint for the surface you're covering. Most water-based exterior paints can be used on wood and hardboard siding and trim. They're also fine for vinyl and aluminum siding, and most masonry.

Oil Based or Water Based Paint
For years, there's been a lively debate about which paint is the best oil based or water based paint. Oil based products, which include alkyd paints, clean up with mineral spirits. Water based products, which are referred to as latex paints though they are now based on vinyl and acrylics, clean up with water. Although the question still gets asked, water-based paints (including vinyl house paint) win hands down for home exteriors.

Research done at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin, shows that water-based paints expand and contract with the siding. They also allow water vapor generated inside the house to pass through the paint film. Oil-based paints, on the other hand, dry to an inflexible coating that blocks moisture. The results can be telltale cracks as siding gives and paint blisters as trapped moisture tries to find a way out. Water-based paints (like vinyl house paint) are also gentler on the environment because they are lower in volatile organic compounds.

Be sure you pick the right paint for the surface you're covering. Most water-based exterior paints can be used on wood and hardboard siding and trim. They're also fine for vinyl and aluminum siding, and most masonry. On stucco prone to cracking, use an elastomeric paint. It's more flexible than standard coatings and leaves a durable film that's twice as thick (about 5 mil). An example is the stucco paint from Valspar, which bridges hairline cracks to keep out water.

This Old House
The This Old House television series inspires and informs 52 million adults every month on topics of home improvement and renovation. It is the No. 1 multi-media home enthusiast brand, offering homeowners trusted information and expert advice through award-winning television, a highly regarded magazine, a comprehensive line of books, and an information-driven Web site.

For more information on the above check out This Old House.

This Old House - Vinyl house paint, This Old House paint, paint product guide, online tools, ideas and inspiration, for the pro. www.thisoldhousepaints.com

Target Woman - Vinyl house painting tips before you get started on the brushes and color, exterior house painting ideas and how you can spruce up the fading and peeling paint. www.targetwoman.com




Mildew Proof Exterior Paint
Zinsser perma white exterior mildew-proof paint is a high-performance, water-based mildew-proof paint. It beautifies and protects resisting fading, cracking and peeling.

The above product is priced at £42.38 and can be bought from Decorating Direct.