Best Overall Exterior House Paint

When it comes to the best exterior house paint, Sherwin-Williams Duration stands out as the top choice. This paint is well-regarded for its exceptional durability and color retention.

Durability: Sherwin-Williams Duration is formulated to withstand the harshest weather conditions. Whether it’s the hot summer sun or freezing winter temperatures, this paint maintains its integrity. A professional painter with 40 years of experience noted, “I’ve seen houses that were painted with Duration over a decade ago, and they still look as good as new.”

Color Retention: One of the standout features of Duration is its ability to retain color. Unlike other paints that may fade or chalk over time, Duration keeps your home looking vibrant. This is crucial for maintaining curb appeal and property value.

Self-Priming: Another benefit of Duration is that it is self-priming. This means you can skip the primer step, saving both time and money. It provides excellent adhesion and a uniform finish, ensuring that your paint job will last longer.

Temperature Application: Duration is also versatile in terms of application conditions. It can be applied in a wide range of temperatures, making it perfect for different climates. This flexibility ensures that you can complete your painting project without worrying about weather constraints.

Sherwin-Williams also offers a ColorSnap® Visualizer tool to help you choose the perfect color for your home’s exterior. Plus, with multiple locations in the Greater Lexington area, getting more paint or supplies is convenient.

If you’re looking for a paint that offers long-lasting protection and a beautiful finish, Sherwin-Williams Duration is the best choice. For more information, visit our Exterior House Painting Services page or contact us for a free estimate.

Best Exterior House Paint for Budget-Conscious Homeowners

If you’re on a budget but still want a high-quality finish, Benjamin Moore Ben is a fantastic choice. This paint is perfect for DIY enthusiasts who need dependable performance without breaking the bank.

Affordability

Benjamin Moore Ben is designed with cost-conscious homeowners in mind. It offers a great balance between price and quality, ensuring you get a beautiful finish without overspending.

DIY-Friendly

One of the standout features of Benjamin Moore Ben is its forgiving application properties. Its smooth consistency makes it easy to apply, even if you’re not a professional painter. This means fewer mistakes and a more uniform finish.

Forgiving Application

Benjamin Moore Ben’s formulation allows for easy touch-ups and corrections. If you make a mistake, you can fix it without worrying about noticeable differences in the final coat.

For budget-conscious homeowners, Benjamin Moore Ben is a reliable and affordable option that still delivers excellent results.

For more information, visit our Exterior House Painting Services page or contact us for a free estimate.

Best Exterior House Paint for Durability

When it comes to durability, Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Paint stands out as a top choice. This paint is designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions and maintain its vibrant color for years.

Color Lock Technology

One of Aura’s standout features is its Color Lock technology. This innovation ensures that the paint is highly resistant to fading, even under intense sunlight. Homeowners can enjoy a freshly painted look for longer without worrying about the colors dulling over time.

Weather Resistance

Aura is built to handle all kinds of weather, from scorching heat to freezing cold. It’s formulated to resist cracking, peeling, and blistering, making it an excellent choice for homes in areas with extreme weather conditions. Whether you live in a humid climate or a dry, arid region, Aura will keep your exterior looking pristine.

Superior Adhesion

Another key feature of Aura is its superior adhesion. This paint sticks well to a variety of surfaces, including wood, vinyl, and stucco. Its self-priming formula means you can often skip the primer, saving you time and effort. Plus, it ensures a smooth, even finish that lasts.

For those who want the best in durability, Benjamin Moore Aura is a wise investment. It may cost a bit more upfront, but the long-lasting results make it well worth the price.

For more information, visit our Exterior House Painting Services page or contact us for a free estimate.

Best Exterior House Paint for Different Materials

Wood Siding

When it comes to wood siding, you need a paint that can handle the natural expansion and contraction of the wood. Sherwin-Williams Emerald is an excellent choice for this. It’s self-priming, which means less prep work for you. The paint provides a smooth finish and is highly resistant to cracking, ensuring that your wood siding looks great for years to come.

Vinyl

Painting vinyl siding can be tricky because it expands and contracts with temperature changes. That’s where Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe comes in. This paint is designed specifically for vinyl, offering a wide range of color options without compromising the integrity of your siding. It provides excellent substrate protection and is highly durable, making it a top pick for vinyl surfaces.

Stucco or Brick

For stucco or brick, you need a paint that can adhere well to rough surfaces and resist mildew. Behr Masonry, Stucco, and Brick Paint is perfect for this. It offers strong adhesion and a satin finish that looks great on textured surfaces. Additionally, its mildew-resistant formula ensures that your stucco or brick exterior stays clean and fresh-looking for longer.

For more information on choosing the right paint for your home, contact Laguna Painting.

Types of Exterior House Paint

When it comes to exterior house paint, you have two main types to choose from: solvent-based (oil or alkyd) and water-based (latex). Each has its unique properties and best-use cases. Here’s what you need to know:

Solvent-Based (Oil or Alkyd)

Solvent-based paints, also known as oil or alkyd paints, are known for their smooth finish and durability. They dry to a hard surface that can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them ideal for areas that get a lot of wear and tear, like exterior doors and metal railings.

• Smooth Finish: Oil-based paints leave a sleek, hard finish that looks professional.
• Durability: These paints are strong and long-lasting, perfect for high-traffic areas.
• Slow Drying: They take longer to dry, usually around 24 hours, which can be a drawback if you’re in a hurry.
• Clean-Up: Cleaning up requires turpentine or paint thinner, which can be messy and smelly.

Water-Based (Latex)

Water-based paints, commonly referred to as latex paints, are popular for their ease of use and quick drying times. They are flexible, which means they expand and contract with temperature changes, reducing the risk of cracking.

• Quick Drying: Latex paint dries quickly, often within a few hours, making it ideal for fast projects.
• Easy Clean-Up: Clean-up is a breeze with just soap and water.
• Flexibility: The paint expands in warm temperatures and contracts in cooler ones, which helps it last longer.
• Surface Preparation: With proper surface prep, you can even apply latex over existing oil-based paint. This makes it versatile for various projects.

Both types of paint have their pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your needs. For more tips and personalized advice, contact Laguna Painting.

Paint Finishes

Choosing the right paint finish is crucial for your exterior painting project. Each finish has its own benefits and best-use cases. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Gloss

Gloss paint is highly durable and easy to clean. Its reflective surface makes it stand out, but it also highlights imperfections. This makes it ideal for:

• Doors and Window Casings: Areas that get a lot of use and need to be cleaned often.
• Trim Work: Provides a nice contrast to siding and holds up well against wear and tear.

However, avoid using gloss on walls with visible dents or scratches, as it will make those flaws more noticeable.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paint offers durability and stain resistance with a bit less shine than gloss. This makes it a good choice for:

• Doors and Trim Work: Just like gloss, but with a more moderate shine.
• Areas Exposed to the Elements: Its durability and longevity make it suitable for surfaces that face the weather.

Satin

Satin paint provides a moderate sheen and is easy to clean. It’s great for:

• Wood and Cement Siding: Especially if they are in good condition.
• Exterior Brick: Satin paint is easy to clean, often just requiring a hose-down.

Satin offers a balanced look that hides minor imperfections better than gloss or semi-gloss.

Flat

Flat or matte paint has little to no luster, making it excellent for hiding imperfections. It’s best for:

• Scratched or Dented Siding: Conceals flaws better than any other finish.
• Easy Touch-Ups: Flat paint splatters less during application and is easier to touch up.

However, keep in mind that flat paint is less stain-resistant, so it’s not ideal for high-traffic areas.

For more personalized advice on choosing the best paint finish for your home, contact Laguna Painting.

Next, we’ll dive into the Characteristics of the Best Exterior House Paint to help you make an informed decision.

Characteristics of the Best Exterior House Paint

When choosing the best exterior house paint, it’s crucial to consider several key characteristics. These traits ensure your home looks great and stays protected for years.

Hiding Power

Hiding power is the paint’s ability to cover the surface underneath. It’s essential for concealing imperfections and previous paint jobs. The pigment in the paint and the thickness of the application affect hiding power.

Pro Tip: Look for paints labeled as “high hide” for the best coverage. This is especially important when painting over bright or dark colors.

Color Retention

Color retention refers to how well the paint maintains its original color over time. Exposure to sunlight and weather can cause colors to fade. Paints with excellent color retention will keep your home looking vibrant longer.

Fact: High-quality exterior paints like Sherwin-Williams Duration and Benjamin Moore Aura are known for their superior color retention, thanks to advanced technologies like Color Lock.

Chalking Resistance

Chalking resistance prevents the formation of a white, powdery residue on the paint’s surface. Chalking happens as the paint binder breaks down over time. This not only looks unsightly but can also lead to color fading.

Case Study: To avoid chalking, choose paints with a high content of quality resins. For example, Behr Masonry, Stucco, and Brick Paint is designed to resist chalking and keep your exterior looking fresh.

Blister Resistance

Blister resistance ensures that the paint can withstand moisture seeping through the substrate. Blisters can form if paint is applied over a damp surface, leading to peeling and bubbling.

Expert Tip: Always make sure your surface is completely dry before painting. High-quality paints like Sherwin-Williams Emerald offer excellent blister resistance, making them ideal for wood siding and other moisture-prone surfaces.

Understanding these characteristics will help you choose the best exterior house paint for your home. For expert advice and a free estimate, contact Laguna Painting.

Next, we’ll discuss the Importance of Primer and how it can improve your paint job’s durability and appearance.

Primer Importance

Primer is crucial for a professional-looking exterior paint job. It helps the paint adhere better to the surface, resulting in a more uniform appearance and a longer-lasting finish.

Adhesion

Primer acts like a glue between the surface and the paint. It ensures the paint sticks well, reducing the chances of peeling and flaking. This is especially important when painting over old or bright colors. A good primer will make your topcoat last longer and look better.

Uniform Appearance

A primer creates a smooth, even surface for the paint to adhere to. This ensures that the final color looks consistent and vibrant. If you’re covering dark colors or making a drastic color change, using a high-hide primeris essential. High-hide primers are designed to conceal the old paint completely, giving you a clean slate for your new color.

Longer-Lasting Finish

Using primer extends the life of your paint job. It adds an extra layer of protection against the elements, helping to prevent issues like chalking and blistering. For exterior projects, oil-based primers are excellent for sealing wood and preventing moisture from seeping in. However, water-based latex primers are more flexible and dry faster, making them ideal for climates with fluctuating temperatures.

High-Hide Primer

High-hide primers are specifically formulated to cover stains, dark colors, and other imperfections. They are particularly useful when you need to make a significant color change. For example, if you’re going from a dark to a light color, a high-hide primer will ensure that the old color doesn’t bleed through.

Expert Tip: Always make sure your surface is clean and dry before applying primer. This will improve its effectiveness and ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish.

For more expert advice and a free estimate, contact Laguna Painting.

Next, we’ll answer some Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Exterior House Paint to help you make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions about Best Exterior House Paint

What is the best paint for the exterior of a house?

The best exterior house paint combines durability, high adhesion, and excellent color retention. 100% acrylic paint is often recommended because it offers all these features. Acrylic paint is flexible, which means it can expand and contract with temperature changes, reducing the risk of cracking. It’s also resistant to mildew and fading, making it ideal for various weather conditions.

What brand is the longest lasting exterior paint?

When it comes to longevity, Sherwin-Williams Duration often tops the list. According to Consumer Reports, this paint is known for its exceptional durability and color retention. Duration is self-priming and can be applied in a wide range of temperatures, making it versatile for different climates. Applied correctly, it can last for many years, keeping your home looking fresh and protected.

Which is better for exterior, Behr or Sherwin-Williams?

Both Behr and Sherwin-Williams offer high-quality exterior paints, but Sherwin-Williams generally has the edge in terms of toughness, washability, and application simplicity. While Behr is popular for its affordability and one-coat coverage, Sherwin-Williams paints like Duration are renowned for their long-lasting performance and superior adhesion.

Expert Tip: If you’re looking for a paint that offers both durability and ease of maintenance, Sherwin-Williams is a reliable choice.

For personalized advice and a free estimate, contact Laguna Painting.

Conclusion

Choosing the best exterior house paint can make a significant difference in your home’s curb appeal and overall protection. At Laguna Painting, we understand the importance of quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Our team of skilled professionals is dedicated to providing you with exceptional painting services that will stand the test of time.

Whether you’re in Orange County or surrounding areas, Laguna Painting is your go-to for all your exterior painting needs. We offer a wide range of services custom to meet your specific requirements, ensuring your home looks its best for years to come.

Ready to transform your home with the best exterior house paint? Contact us today for a free estimate.

Visit our Exterior House Painting Services page to learn more about how we can help lift your home’s curb appeal.

Trust Laguna Painting to deliver exceptional results that you’ll love.