​​Painting concrete in low temperatures can be a daunting task and have many potential problems. Below are some important aspects to consider for applying painting products in cold weather.
 
Water or moisture can be a problem. When concrete continuously freezes and thaws it can be damaged by water that enters the surface. If moisture fills a certain percentage of the pore structure (usually 90% or more), the change in volume that occurs during the freeze-thaw process can displace the concrete.
 
How coatings can help
Concrete’s primary defense is en-trained air in the concrete mix, but high-performance coatings will most assuredly add to the solution. By protecting concrete from taking in water, coatings can further eliminate worries about freeze-thaw damage. You can protect your concrete with waterproofing.
 
What to watch for
How does cold weather affect the choice and application of these high-performance coatings? Pro Color’s architectural executive for the Sherwin Williams Concrete Products department says, “the surface temperature is the most important aspects to consider.” “High-performance coatings generally have enough flexibility to sustain thermal movement once cured, it’s the application process that is most important”.
 
Low-temp coatings
As you may know; most coatings are recommended for application at temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However; we have found various painting products that are manufactured for application in lower temperatures. Several of the exterior water-based coatings are perfectly fine being applied on surfaces with temperatures as low as 35 degrees. In fact, when using solvent-based concrete finishes we can apply at temperatures down to 20 degrees safely.

Coating Concrete at Lower Temperatures
 1. We choose elastomeric coatings for the solution with thermal movement. When we expect a concrete wall to go through extreme thermal movement, elastomerics help accommodate and provide a highly flexible protective film. Elastomeric coatings prevent moisture ingress into the concrete and protect with repeated freezing and thaw fluctuations.
 
2. Removing chemical residue in cold climates or other residue on the concrete surface is very important before applying any coating. You can remove most efflorescence salts by power washing, but you will want to address other residues specifically. Good exterior painters know to paint on clean surfaces!
 
3. Don’t add extender solutions or solvents. Temperatures have an effect on the application process. All paint or weatherproofing products will change viscosity when temperatures fluctuate. When the temperature drops paint and painting materials thicken, or paint material applied to a surface that is extremely hot or in direct sunlight it may have a tendency to dry too fast, adhesion problems and fail to give a proper finish. Never add water or extenders; paint manufacturers don’t consider these additives when developing paint products or consider when testing their performance.
 
4. Make sure the surface is dry before you apply any paint product, so that the paint material can properly adhere to the surfaces. Also, even though some solvent coatings can be applied to surfaces below 32 degrees, take care during the colder season not to apply to any surface that might contain ice; it will eventually thaw and affect adhesion.
 
Cold Climates Coatings We Use on Concrete
*For thermal movement: Conflex XL™ High Build Coating.
 
*For ingress of water / help protect against freeze-thaw damage: Loxon XP® Masonry Coating or UltraCrete Solvent Borne Texture Coating.
 
*Solvent-based coatings: for surface temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, try UltraCrete Solvent Borne Texture Coating.
 
When painting later in the day the concerns with dew or impending rain are quite real. We use S.W. Resilience® Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint. This high grade paint is formulated with MoistureGuard™ technology, it will resists moisture twice as quick as other exterior latex coatings. Freshly painted exterior surfaces develop resistance to moisture in half the time (2 hours) with Resilience.

In the Jacksonville, Florida area and need a exterior painting contractor? Contact Pro Color Painting Company or request a free quote though our website. Quotes are fast, free and come with no obligation. We are a Jacksonville painting company with top reviews!

​Sherwin Williams makes Duration for both exterior and interior application. Today we are reviewing Sherwin Willams exterior paint, Duration latex acrylic paint. We use a lot of Duration on our exteriors and based our paint review on actual experience with using it in the Jacksonville, FL area. This exterior paint is available in flat, satin and gloss sheen levels. and is a top choice of many professional painters.

Good Choice for Exterior Paint?
Using exterior Duration house paint has it's advantages. This painting company has found it to exhibit excellent durability and hiding characteristics. Duration is formulated with PermaLast® technology which gives long-term performance. When applied correctly it produces a thick flexible layer of protection. This provides resistance to the elements resulting in peeling or blistering. Duration exterior paint is self-priming and has a mildew resistant formulation.

Lifetime Warranty?
​Sherwin Williams says that it is backed by a lifetime warranty for as long as you own your home. Well, we doubt any paint or high-performance coating will last a life time outside in Florida? However, we have had homes last more than 15 years in the harsh Jacksonville, FL climate using Exterior Duration. This paint is durable and long-lasting. With proper care and maintenance exterior paint finishes last a lot longer.

Exterior Paint Repels Dirt?
Yes it does! But it does because its an amazing leveling, thick paint that doesn’t just soak into wood or other surfaces. Duration forms such a beautiful finish; it even sheds dirt because of its smooth rubber like finish!

​Detailed Characteristics of Duration Exterior Paint
*Application - Ease of application is generally referred to as the flow of the paint. This mean how easily the paint goes from the paint bucket to the brush and onto the surface to be painted. 
*Leveling - Leveling is simply how well the paint levels out after application. This is what determines whether or not you see those unsightly brush or lap marks. 
*Hiding - Refers to the exterior paint's ability to hide scuffs, imperfections and previous colors. Be sure to apply the exterior paint with the correct amount of DFT (Dry Film Thickness) to get the full potential. 
*Dry Time - Dry time is a bit slower on this paint. Initial dry time is fairly normal. Flash issues can occur if you re-coat too soon. Make sure to consider this when applying multi-able coats.
*Bonding - This exterior paint has a high volume of resins. We have found it to act like glue to most surfaces. It really sticks and stays put. We have never seen this exterior paint fail concerning adhesion.
*Durability - With proper care as maintenance this paint will last a very long time. It's very durable, even in Florida's harsh climate. It's a great choice for your home or commercial building.
*Coverage – Coverage with this paint is amazing. Although for an exterior paint to perform at its best; you must apply it correctly. This is where a good exterior painting contractor comes into play.

​Combined with the helpful Sherwin Williams staff, accessibility and qualities of Duration product we give this exterior latex paint a = A-

If you are in the Jacksonville, Florida area and in need of an exterior painting contractor, contact Pro Color Painting Company or request a free quote though our website. Quotes are fast, free and come with no obligation.