In the tropics, heat is a big concern so architects advise homeowners to use light colors for home exteriors. So do we in Boysen. The main reason is for external surfaces to minimize solar heat from entering the home, and painting exteriors with light colors can help with that.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
Simply put, light reflectance value (LRV) in paint is how much light a surface reflects or absorbs. The lower the LRV or the darker the color, the more light it absorbs. So, our advice is to get light colors because the LRV increases, which means more light is reflected.
More light reflected means your home interiors would feel cooler. It is definitely getting warmer these days so if you are able to keep your home cool just with exterior paint, your electric bills can be reduced.
Here is an example of how LRV changes with the different colors of brown.
Take note that paint sheen also affects LRV. Glossy paint reflects more light than a flat paint finish. Learn more about the different paint sheens in this post link.
How to Check LRV in Boysen Paints
For the Boysen Color Palette paint colors, the easiest way to check the LRV of each hue is to check it at the back of the fan deck. There’s a list of paint color numbers, names, and their LRV.
You can borrow fan decks from the Boysen personnel at the Mix and Match Color Station in home depots or in The Color Library in the Mall of Asia in Manila. For professionals, it is helpful to get your own. You can get them in this Boysen online store.
There are Boysen paints that do not have a specified LRV. If this is the case, use the rule of thumb: the lighter the paint color, the higher the LRV. These light colors bounce solar radiation away from the building rather than absorbing it. This translates into a cooler indoor temperature.
Avoid Trombe Walls
Trombe walls (dark walls), especially in exteriors, are not recommended in a tropical setting because their primary function is passive solar heating. They trap heat, store it in the wall, and release it into the building structure. They may look eye-catching but they are not practical for a country like ours.
Imagine that…ang stunning ng bahay mo at kapansin-pansin dahil dark walls sa labas. Pero sa loob, either your electric bill is ballooning during summer because your A/C is on the whole day. Or para kang lechon kawali na nagmamantika, instead of the much coveted glass skin.
Light Colors for Exterior Walls
Needing some suggestions of colors with high LRV for your home exteriors? We have made several posts about it through the years. Here’s one with white paint watches.
Boysen has a few exterior paints that are formulated for our tropical weather. Here are the top paints to keep your home cool and protected.
If you have any questions about our products, you can send an email to [email protected]. Better yet, call (02) 8363-9738 local 417 to 418 during office hours and talk to our Technical Team who would be happy to assist you.
