Ah, Laguna Beach! Known for its pristine shores, artistic vibe, and the stunning sunsets that could seriously make even a postcard jealous, it’s a prime spot to call home. But if you live in this sunny slice of Orange County heaven, you’ve got some unique challenges when it comes to keeping your home looking as sharp as the day it was built. The ocean breeze and the salt in the air can be as much a part of Laguna as the bustling art galleries, but they can also be rough on your home’s exterior. Fear not! Today, we’re diving into the best exterior paints for homes in Laguna Beach.
Why Does the Beach Affect Your Paint?
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the science of seaside living. Laguna Beach offers its residents a vibrant community and breathtaking views, but it also serves up a hearty helping of salt and moisture, which can play some sneaky games with your paintwork. Salt can stick on the surface and moisture weakens the paint over time. It’s like that one pesky seagull at a picnic; once you know it’s there, you just have to anticipate its moves!
Choosing the Right Paint: The Basics
BAll right, beach-loving buddies, it’s time to pick your weaponry for your Laguna Beach paint project. The mighty power of science meets the charm of your oceanside home when choosing exterior paint. The best paint for coastal areas needs to be both a tough cookie and a looker.
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Acrylic Paints
Ah, the charm of acrylic paints! They’re a crowd favorite for coastal homes because of their familiarity. Think of acrylic paint as the surfer dude of paints – it can roll with the punches for a while but after a couple years can get flaky. Some acrylics are moisture-resistant but unless they are rated for the salt will be hard to last a long time. They’re available in a wide range of vibrant colors ideal for keeping your home as eye-catching as Main Beach on a summer day.
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Elastomeric Paints
Now here’s a tongue-twister worthy of some attention: elastomeric paints. Imagine them as a stretchy superhero suit for your house. These paints are capable of expanding and contracting with the building’s movements. So whether it’s the summer sun or a brisk ocean breeze, your paint stays snug as a shellfish in a tide pool. The reason these sometimes fail is because your painter didn’t use the right primer or didn’t prime at all…..EEEWWW! That’t the equivalent of going surfing with no wax on the board…..it just doesn’t work, you NEED A GOOD PRIMER!
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Oil-Based Paints
If you’re thinking old school, then oil-based paints bring vintage flair. These paints have been around longer than Laguna’s legendary Pageant of the Masters. Known for their strong adhesion, oil-based paints keep things tight, but they do require a little more prep, upkeep, and here in California you have to pay special attention to the kinds that are legal to use here in the state (yep, thats right…even our paint is more eco-friendly here!) They’re great for detailed areas and high-wear spots like doors and trims.
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Ceramic Coatings
If you are looking for something with more durability, tested as a system with both the primer and top coat, and are made for coastal conditions, then check out Rhino Shield. Rhino Shield is like the power surfer of painting, super tough, looks great, and built for durability. You won’t see any airs out of them but just great fundamentals. Our ceramic based coatings are salt resistant, as flexible as that surf yoga instructor, durable enough to withstand category 2 hurricanes (east coast WHAATTT!!), Class A fire rated if you are in a fire area and look as good as they did when they first started ripping!
Extra Tips and Tricks for Your Paintwork
Prepping Like a Pro
Before you start slapping paint on those walls, let’s talk about the groundwork. Or rather, the wallwork. Prepping your surface can make all the difference. Clean those spaces free of dirt, salt, or sand to give your paint a fresh start. Fill those cracks and gaps; they might be small, but over time, they’ll throw a party for moisture and salt to sneak in.
Priming Time
Prime, prime, prime! A good primer is like sunscreen for your house. It preps those walls to hold paint better and last longer. And down the road, it can save you a DIY headache.
The Right Brush Up
An artist is only as good as their tools, and that goes for home exteriors too. Invest in a good sprayer, brushes and rollers to help your paint go smooth as a cliffside trail and stick around as beautifully as a trusty lifeguard.
Finish Strong: Why Finish Matters
When I talk about finish, I’m not just talking about slapping on a few coats and calling it a day. The finish is about texture, reflectivity, and how your paint holds up to the elements. A satin or semi-gloss finish might set your heart a-twinkle, as they offer a lovely sheen and extra protection against that cheeky salt spray. With Rhino Shield, the sheen doesn’t matter you can do matte or satin, the protection still holds!
Maintenance Mode: Keep that Paint Fresh
Regular maintenance is your pal. Inspect your paint every now and then for any wear and tear, especially after storms or rogue beach volleyballs flying at your house. Power wash your home regularly to make sure all that salt, dirt, and sand are removed after a tough bout of santa ana winds!
Costs
I’m sure if you are like any other person in Laguna Beach, you are pretty savvy on the finances! For regular acrylic paint, that will last around 5-7 years, your looking anywhere between $4.25 – $7.95 per square foot for your home. For something more durable, like Rhino Shield, that will last 25 years, you are looking between $7-$10 per square foot. It also depends on things like, the amount of prep required, number of windows, doors, colors, and if any special equipment is needed for accessing your home.
What type of surfer are you? Do you sit on the inside, snag a whole bunch of small waves and that’s your thing or do you sit on the outside and wait for a couple great waves that you are proud of? The investment is up to you.
What’s Up With Rhino Shield?
Okay, brief moment of unabashed pride! Here at Rhino Shield of Southern California, we know a thing or two about excellent home exteriors. Our products are designed with seaside charm and durability, which is perfect for the unique needs of homes in Laguna Beach. We even put zinc oxide in our pigments, that’s right SPF 1000 for the home! Remember, the ocean may be relentless, but so is our commitment to keeping your home looking its best.
Paint to Make Poseidon Proud
Time to wrap it up! Living in Laguna Beach is like a dream, complete with tropical breezes and cultural fun, but it takes the right paint to make your home picture-perfect. Choose wisely, paint smart, and you’ll bask in the rewards as your home shines like a jewel by the sea for years to come.
So, go ahead! Get your home beach ready, and make sure it looks as stunning as a Laguna sunset. If you want a paint that is built to last 4-5 times longer than a traditional paint then reach out to us at Rhino Shield of Southern California! Happy painting, my ocean-loving art enthusiasts!