“Acrylic paint lasts the longest and is also known for resisting all sorts of damage caused by weather and other natural variables. Acrylic paint is also excellent for resisting fading or damage caused by exposure to the sun, making it perfect for homes located in hot regions or climates.”
While it's true that oil-based exterior paint formulas offer excellent penetration, acrylic exterior paint is generally considered the most durable option.
Ceramic paint can be up to 8 times thicker than regular latex paint and can last up to 25 years.
Exterior paint can last 5 to 10 years, depending on the type of paint you use and the surrounding environment. Therefore, you can lengthen the time that a finish will last by prepping the surface properly and investing in a paint that matches the type of exterior that is being repainted.
Benjamin Moore is a highly-recommended paint brand for exterior surfaces among professional painters. Their products can withstand the toughest weather conditions, resisting fading, chipping, blistering, and other imperfections associated with cheap paint.
Contractors are often requested to use low- or zero-VOC paints, and this is something they can get from Sherwin-Williams in a variety of their paint lines. Sherwin-Williams paint is thick because it uses more solids, which makes it easier to work with and will cover more surface area.
1. Satin/eggshell: Best for siding because it's a low-reflective finish that's good at hiding surface imperfections. It has a slight gloss, so it stays cleaner, is more easily washed, and stands up to abrasion better than flat or matte paints.
Use with Weathershield Exterior High Gloss to offer up to 8 years protection.
If the old paint is in good condition, then painting over it should not be a problem. However, if the old paint is peeling or flaking, it is best to remove it before repainting. Sanding the old paint can also help the new paint adhere better to the surface.
For long-lasting results, apply exterior coatings on mild days - ideally, when the temperature is between 60 and 85 degrees F. - with little or no wind. In these conditions, primer and paint “cure” more slowly and form the most protective dry film.
Flat or Matte Finish
Flat or matte paint has a solid, non-reflective finish. It's ideal for painting older houses as it can hide imperfections easily. It can instantly transform an older house and give it a clean, modern look. Flat paint is the most porous finish type, meaning it's not very durable.
When it comes to durability, an enamel- or oil-based paint is usually the right choice. That said, if you don't prepare the surface properly beforehand, these paints won't last as well as they should. It's imperative to understand the qualities of any paint that you're purchasing.
"You really want to avoid extremes, so ideal conditions can be 65 to 90 F. I've seen paint crack when it's really hot," says Winkles. Generally, this means that the spring or fall, when the temperatures are more moderate, will be the best time to paint your house exterior. A new paint project also requires dry weather.
Sherwin Williams Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex is our choice as the best overall exterior house paint for a few reasons. It is one of Sherwin Williams' top paint lines, and has been designed to be extremely durable and resist cracking, peeling, and blistering.
More neutral colours like tan, beige, brown, and various shades of white fade the least over time. Compared to brighter pigments like red, blue, and yellow, these and other milder earth tones tend to degrade far more gradually in UV radiation and harsh weather.
Water-based paints are the best option for exterior surfaces as they are more reliable and versatile in external environments. For example, some of the benefits that these paints can provide include: Weather Resistance. Humidity Resistance.
The most effective and long-lasting way to refinish an already-painted item is by stripping it and starting over, rather than layering the new finish on top of the old and getting inconsistent results.
When it comes to residential exterior painting and interior painting, it's usually a good idea to prime before painting, especially if you're coating a new surface, a previously-painted surface that's falling apart, and/or need an extra boost in terms of color coverage.
Sand the Exterior Walls
Sanding the exterior walls is necessary to provide a real mechanical bond between the coats of paint. If you don't rough up the surfaces sufficiently, your paint job may look good when you walk away from it, but in just a few years, the paint starts to show all sorts of errors.
Dulux Trade goes further
The raw materials used in Dulux Trade paints are of a higher quality, including a greater concentration of pigments. This is what makes the paint spread further, so each litre covers more square metres.
1. Dulux Weathershield Smooth Masonry: Best masonry paint for life.
Dulux guarantees that Weathershield will not blister, flake or peel for 15 years, provided it is applied according to an approved written Dulux DuSpec Specification. This guarantee does not cover paint failure caused by any breakdown of coatings applied previously.
You can expect your exterior paint to last between 5 to 7 years. Keep in mind that your exterior paint will be affected by regional climate conditions, the material painted, and the type of paint used.
On average, a home's exterior should be repainted anywhere between five and 10 years, depending on the materials. Check out the guide below to find out if your home's exterior needs attention.
Go with a semi-gloss finish
Semi-gloss paint offers enhanced durability against wear-and-tear and harsh weather compared to flat or eggshell finishes, and it masks surface imperfections better than high-gloss. The glossiness also makes the door easier to clean as compared to flat or eggshell finishes.