Proudly featuring TEX-COTE® COOLWALL® heat-reflective exterior coatings — manufacturer product marks used for identification of the system we apply.
San Diego sun is beautiful — and hard on ordinary paint. TEX-COTE® COOLWALL® is a heat-reflective exterior coating system built for high-sun climates like ours.
Old School Painting applies TEX-COTE® COOLWALL® — a professional heat-reflective wall coating system from manufacturer TEX-COTE LLC. Unlike standard exterior paint, COOLWALL® is engineered with infrared (IR) heat-reflective pigments so more of the sun’s energy bounces off the wall instead of soaking into stucco, siding, and the rooms behind them.
Manufacturer system: TEX-COTE® COOLWALL® Heat-Reflective Wall Coating System
Learn how it works: How COOLWALL® Works · Supporting data: DOE study materials (TEX-COTE)
Why COOLWALL® is the right kind of “paint” for San Diego
La Mesa, East County, and much of San Diego live under long sunny seasons, strong UV, and hot west- and south-facing walls. Standard paint can look fine on day one and still act like a heat sponge all afternoon. Heat-reflective wall coatings change that conversation.
- Heat that never has to cool down. Per TEX-COTE, COOLWALL® can reduce exterior wall surface temperatures by as much as about 40°F versus many traditional paints in comparable colors — less heat loading on stucco and the building shell.
- Cooling costs that matter here. A U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Laboratory study referenced by TEX-COTE showed cooling-cost reductions of up to about 21.9% in tested conditions (actual savings vary by color, climate, home design, and substrate — see manufacturer/DOE notes).
- Color without giving up performance. COOLWALL® reflects infrared heat in a wide range of colors, so you are not forced into “only white” for a cooler exterior. That matters on San Diego streetscapes where curb appeal and HOA colors still count.
- Built for sun, not just for show. The system uses heat-reflective pigment technology related to military “heat signature” reflectance concepts, plus fade-blocking protection aimed at keeping color looking better longer under UV — a real issue in Southern California.
- Thicker, tougher film than ordinary paint. TEX-COTE describes COOLWALL® as substantially thicker on average than ordinary paint — more body on stucco and high-wear elevations when applied as a full system.
- East County & coastal microclimates. Inland heat (La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Alpine) and full-sun commercial elevations are exactly where reflective walls earn their keep. Coastal jobs still fight UV and salt air; a high-performance system is about durability as much as temperature.
What the manufacturer claims (in plain language)
From texcote.com/coolwall and related TEX-COTE materials:
- Infrared heat-reflective exterior wall coating system
- Surface temperatures reduced by as much as ~40°F vs. traditional paints in many colors
- Cooling energy savings shown up to ~21.9% in DOE/ORNL study conditions
- Fade Block® protection for longer-looking color
- Life-cycle analysis positioned as a more environmentally responsible exterior option
Results vary. TEX-COTE notes that savings and temperature reductions depend on color, location, climate, and substrate; in some climates there may be a heating-season tradeoff. Always review the manufacturer’s current technical data and DOE supporting data for your project.
Who should ask for a COOLWALL® assessment?
- Homes with large west- or south-facing walls that bake after noon
- Stucco exteriors that feel hot to the touch in summer
- Owners ready to repaint who want a performance upgrade, not just a new color
- Commercial buildings with all-day sun exposure
- Anyone comparing “just paint it again” vs. a coating system designed for solar heat
How Old School Painting approaches the job
We walk the elevations, substrate, and sun exposure with you, then recommend whether a full TEX-COTE® COOLWALL® system is the right fit — or when a high-quality conventional exterior system is the better value. Prep still comes first: clean, sound surfaces so the system can perform.
COOLWALL® is often part of a full exterior painting project so the whole house looks unified, with heat-reflective performance where it counts most.
Explore the product: COOLWALL® product page · How it works · TEX-COTE LLC
COOLWALL® FAQs for San Diego homeowners
What is TEX-COTE® COOLWALL®?
A professional heat-reflective exterior wall coating system that uses infrared-reflective pigments so more solar energy bounces off the wall instead of soaking into stucco and the rooms behind it.
Do you install COOLWALL® in La Mesa and East County?
Yes. We are based in La Mesa and apply COOLWALL® across East County and greater San Diego when the elevations and project goals are a fit.
Is Old School Painting licensed?
Yes — California CSLB #1086098. Verify our license anytime.