Interior vs Exterior Paint: What’s the Difference? | Advanced Painting Services LLC

When it’s time to paint your home, choosing the right paint isn’t just about picking a color — it’s also about picking the right type of paint. At Advanced Painting Services LLC, we often get asked: "Is there really a difference between interior and exterior paint?"

The answer: Absolutely!

Here’s what you need to know.

The Main Differences Between Interior and Exterior Paint

1. Durability and Protection

Exterior paint is built to survive the elements — rain, sun, snow, even extreme Montana winters. It’s made with flexible resins that help it expand and contract with changing temperatures, and additives that resist mildew, fading, and cracking.

Interior paint, on the other hand, is designed for durability inside your home — it stands up to cleaning, scrubbing, and daily wear and tear, but it doesn’t need to fight off weather.

2. Formulation and Chemicals

Exterior paints have stronger chemical formulas (and higher VOCs — volatile organic compounds) to resist damage. That’s why they usually have a stronger smell.

Interior paints are made to be safer for indoor air quality, with lower VOCs and safer finishes for families and pets.

3. Finish and Appearance

Interior paints come in a variety of finishes — from ultra-matte to high-gloss — and they are designed for beauty, smoothness, and easy maintenance.

Exterior paints typically have a flatter or semi-gloss finish, designed to handle UV rays, dirt, and moisture while still looking great from the curb.

4. Application and Cost

Because of their tougher makeup, exterior paints are often a little thicker and require specific primers or surface prep. This can affect the timeline and cost of your project compared to standard interior painting.

Why You Should Always Use the Right Paint

Using the wrong type of paint can cause big problems — faster peeling, cracking, fading, or even bubbling.

Trust us: you don’t want to use exterior paint inside (stronger fumes and poor finish), and you definitely don’t want to use interior paint on your home's exterior (it won’t survive the weather for long).

At Advanced Painting Services LLC, we know exactly what materials and techniques your home needs to look beautiful and stay protected — inside and out.

Ready to Start Your Painting Project?

If you’re thinking about updating your space — whether it’s a fresh coat inside your living room or a full exterior makeover — we’re here to help.

Call Advanced Painting Services LLC today for a free estimate. Let’s make your home shine, inside and out!