Painting as a coating for materials has been around since the dawn of history, certainly longer than wood-frame construction, plumbing and almost all other trades. Along with many of the other materials, such as siding, exterior painting has had many upgrades since the days of whitewashing the clapboard. Oil-based stains and lead paint, so prominent in the 19th and 20th Centuries were pushed away by solid stains and acrylic in the later part of the 1900's. Now latex and water-based resins are the order of the day.

This is largely due to the “greening” of the renovation industry. With the increase of anti-pollution laws, and the resulting pressure placed on paint manufacturing companies, we now have some remarkable water-based paints available for the exterior of homes even in areas that experience severe weather patterns. The old adage "oil is better" is heard less and less these days and the desire for paint thinners and turpentine has declined. So now the industry offers paint formulas in a wide range of acrylic, water-base resins that have virtually the same - and in some cases more superior - performance than the oil base paints, without the odor and mess of solvent clean-up.

However, the new-era paints and stains are now being shoved aside by other, more diverse products for exterior protection. "Elastomeric" coatings look like paint but apply much thicker. The result is a rubber-like membrane that will expand and contract with the movement of the structure eliminating cracks!

These coatings are very high in resin, go on very thick (equal to 4-5 coats of regular paint) and increase the average life span of the job to 8-12 years. Most of the warranties state that the company will provide sufficient material to correct the problem area if there are chips or peels. The cost is $30 - $40 per gallon for a top quality elastomeric paint.

Another product that is in the process of leapfrogging both the new-generation paint and the elastomeric craze is liquid vinyl. Like elastomeric coating it goes on thick, 36+ mil wet, but dries to 10-14 mil. Being a latex-based product, liquid vinyl is environmentally friendly. The two products I found, Ever-Cote® Liquid Vinyl Paint and CHIC Liquid Vinyl System are both 100% waterproof and dry with a breathable inner surface.This means your home can still release any harmful black mold, mildew odor, and moisture that can be trapped in your house when sealed up tight from the outside.

Cost estimates are difficult to gauge because CHIC Liquid Vinyl has to be applied by franchised personnel. The CHIC process seals the home so that water leaks are negated and air drafts are minimized. This entails repairing trim around the windows and vents and sealing the home with caulking before the first coat goes is applied.

Whether it is elastomeric or liquid vinyl here are two points to consider:

1. Either one of them will cost you 2 - 3 times what a top quality paint job would.
2. According to national real estate statistics the average homeowner keeps his/her house around 5 years.

So, are you better off paying the extra money for a "lifetime warranty?" Maybe. Maybe not.

Some may decide that using a top quality paint from a reliable supplier and hiring a qualified local contractor to professionally apply it is the best option. In 8-10 years you will have to repaint the home but, financially, you're still be ahead of the game. The cost of painting twice is still less than using elastomeric or liquid vinyl.

On the other hand, the liquid vinyl people claim that their products resist UV rays and that the colors will stay sharp long after the best paint has weathered and dulled.

CHIC has videotaped testimonials of homeowners who have over 20 years of service from their liquid vinyl coating and claim their homes still shine like new.