It’s coming to the end of winter. The nights are getting lighter and the mornings too. Spring is near, so it is time to get your garden prepared to enjoy the warmer weather to come.
If you have an outbuilding like a garden log cabin, it is great to give it a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. This can make a difference to your log cabin and the look and feel of your garden. But what is the best paint for your log cabins?
When it comes to painting a log cabin, you want to paint it with a colour that compliments the rest of the garden but ensures it protects your log cabin from harsh weather conditions. Sunlight, wind, rain, dust and snow can make your log cabin look tired, but taking the essential steps will keep your log cabin looking newer for longer.
Furthermore, choosing the correct paint is essential. You want a high-quality colour that will last in the garden will give your garden log cabin better protection than a cheap alternative. Also, using more expensive paint provides full coverage.
When considering, what is the best paint for your log cabin, you can choose from two types of paint; Latex or oil-based paints To help you decide, we have compared the two, so you can find out what is the best paint for your log cabin or outbuilding.
Latex Exterior Paints
Latex paint doesn’t actually contain any latex. It is a water-based paint which provides an excellent finish and is easier to use and clean up than oil-based paints. However, when it comes to longevity, latex paint is not an ideal choice. Latex paint is suitable if you are painting masonry, drywall and surfaces that are already painted. Although try to avoid painting raw wood or rusty metal with latex paint as oil-based paint is better. Furthermore, water-based paints have low odour levels and are mould and mildew resistant.
Latex Paints Advantages
Paintbrushes can be cleaned with water.
Dries quickly.
Non-flammable.
Low odour.
Latex Paint Disadvantages
Needs a coverage of primer first before use.
Sensitive to temperature changes more than oil-based paints.
Does not take to glossy walls or other surfaces well.
Oil-based paint
Oil-based paint contains natural linseed or synthetic alkyd. The synthetic alkyd is more populate nowadays as it is cheaper to produce and buy. Although both of these types are just as tough and durable, making them excellent choices for painting exterior outside buildings. Also, oil paints are great for painting metal. However, there are some disadvantages using oil base points.
Oil Paint Advantages
Oil-based paint is very smooth and gives full coverage. Usually, a second coat isn’t required.
Oil paints are incredibly durable and can withstand wear and tear better than latex paints. As a result, walls can be scrubbed if needed to remove any unwanted marks
It is believed that oil-based paint provides a much richer fully colour in contrast too water-based paint.
Oil paint is great at covering small defects.
Oil Paint Disadvantages
It is tough to clean up, and you have to use turpentine to clean your paintbrushes and rollers.
More so solvent is required to thin the oil paint during use. It takes a long time to dry, approximately 8 to 24 hours for linseed-based application, and 4-6 hours for alkyd, although you might need a second application.
In addition, oil paint should not be used on untreated masonry or drywall without applying a primer first.
Oil-based contains high Volatile Organic Compound levels. As a result, they can be toxic, so they have to be handled and stored with care. When using, you should wear a mask and the area should have proper ventilation. Plus, it should be treated as a hazardous waste for disposal.
If you do not have an outdoor building, 1 Click Log Cabins has large selection garden log cabins to choose from. Including traditional, contemporary log cabins and more.