Which Type Of Finish Is Best For Exterior Home Painting?

The popularity of flat paint finishes has declined in recent years, as they are more susceptible to fading and mildew problems. Most customers prefer paint finishes like satin or eggshell, which are more durable and easy to clean. There are various types of sheens for exterior paint, including flat, satin enamel, semi-gloss enamel, and hi-gloss enamel.

Satin is the preferred finish for most exterior surfaces, as it improves the paint’s durability and color retention without overly impacting the texture. For exterior trim, a durable gloss or semi-gloss finish is ideal due to its ease of cleaning and pleasant appearance. A lower sheen means less glare on the surface, making it an ideal choice for repainting your house.

There is no universal exterior paint sheen that works for all exterior applications. Satin and flat finishes have their own advantages and considerations, but the best sheen for exterior paint is satin. Flat sheens quickly lose their color and are more prone to damage, while semi-gloss sheens can become sticky and develop an unpleasant texture.

The recommended paint sheens for the exterior include satin/eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss. Semi-gloss finishes provide the most durability and are easiest to clean, making them ideal for high-touch areas like trim, doors, gutters, shutters, metal lamp posts, railings, and window sills.

Low lustre, flat, or velvet finishes are generally recommended for exterior products by Sherwin Williams, while Benjamin Moore’s Aura offers a low-luster finish. When choosing a paint sheen, consider the exterior surface you are painting and consider the type of paint you are using.

What is recommended for exterior paint?

Extreme temperature variations can cause exterior home paint jobs to deteriorate, leading to fading, chipping, and peeling. 100 acrylic paint is the best choice due to its durability and high adhesion to the home’s surface, making it more reliable in extreme weather conditions. It also prevents moisture from settling into the wood and mold growth when the weather heats up again. Paint serves as protection against weather and insect damage, especially in rainy climates where mold and mildew can cause damage, allergies, and lung irritation. Mitigating mold should be a top priority for homeowners in wet climates.

What is the most durable exterior wall finish?

Composite and vinyl siding are the two most durable exterior sidings, with composite siding outperforming vinyl in insulation value, thermal resistance, and environmental friendliness. Choosing the right exterior finishes for a building can be challenging, as people often base their decisions on aesthetics and durability, but also consider climate, cladding resilience, maintenance costs, and environmental friendliness.

Today’s exterior finishes are sturdier and more weather-resistant, blending attractive appearance with long-lasting durability. This article explores different exterior finishes and their comparisons, highlighting the benefits of combining attractive appearance with long-lasting durability.

What is considered the best exterior house paint?

The top 10 exterior house paints for 2024 include Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior, Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe SuperPaint, Benjamin Moore Revive, Sherwin-Williams Rejuvenate, Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior, Benjamin Moore Arborcoat, and Sherwin Williams Woodscapes. These paints are designed to withstand the harsh climate of Novi, MI, while enhancing curb appeal and protection. The best exterior paint acts as a shield against weather changes, moisture, and daily wear and tear.

What is the most common exterior finish?

The most prevalent exterior finish types in the United States are siding, stucco, and brick veneer.

What is the most popular exterior paint sheen?

Eggshell paint is a popular exterior paint finish for homes due to its non-darkness and shine, making it suitable for various siding types like HardiePlank, stucco, and horizontal wood. However, many clients prefer a flat sheen due to the lack of added protection, which can cause premature paint failure and cost. To address this issue, Benjamin Moore’s Aura product, available in low luster, is recommended. This option is slightly less shiny than Sherwin Williams satin, but the initial shine may fade over the first year or two.

A flat sheen is best for stucco, as it helps hide texture and imperfections in the porous surface. A satin finish may stand out more, but a flat sheen is recommended for highlighting texture. For other surfaces, a satin finish may be more suitable. Overall, eggshell paint is the best choice for exterior paint due to its versatility and ability to blend with various siding types.

Should exterior paint be warm or cool?

Oil-based paint is best applied in temperatures between 40°-90°F, while latex paint is best applied between 50°-85°F. Latex paints are best for most exteriors, and it is recommended to choose a day with temperatures between 60° to 85°F with minimal wind. The ideal humidity range is 40 to 70°F to ensure proper dries. High or low temperatures can cause paint to not bind correctly, leading to cracking and peeling. Latex paint can also be difficult to apply at high temperatures.

In hot and humid summer months, it is recommended to paint on the shady side of a house to avoid the sun’s glare and keep painters out of the blazing heat. Hirshfield’s Paint Manufacturing offers premium 100 acrylic latex paints and primers that are specially formulated for use in temperatures as low as 35°F. To properly dry and cure, air and surface temperatures should not drop below 35° for 36 hours after application. Hirshfield’s expert Mark Masica suggests painting in no less than 50°F weather and from 10a. m.-3p. m. to achieve maximum results.

Does satin exterior paint dull over time?

Satin/eggshell paints have unique strengths and considerations compared to flat finishes. They are rough but have an almost waxy feel, with a slight shine that gives the paint a lustre. Satin paints are more reflective than matte finishes and can hide imperfections. They are easy to wipe clean and more resistant to elements, making them generally last longer. However, they require more care than matte finishes, as the more shiny the paint, the more imperfections will stand out. Mixing the paint thoroughly before each session is essential to prevent resins and pigments from separating, resulting in uneven sheen.

High gloss paints are more reflective and resilient, but they are best for areas that will get a lot of wear, such as doors. They are also perfect for accenting features of your home, such as window frames or gutters. Painting the entire exterior with a rich, reflective high gloss paint is a bold design move, but it can highlight every imperfection if not properly done.

What paint finish to use outdoors?

Satin finishes are popular for exterior siding due to their low-reflective properties and ability to hide surface imperfections. They are easy to clean, easy to wash, and better abrasion-resistant than flat or matte paints. Semi-gloss and glossy finishes are durable and easy to clean, ideal for high-touch areas like trim and doors. High gloss is resilient and dirt-repellent, adding richness and depth to colors but magnifying surface imperfections.

It requires skillful application and is best used sparingly on surfaces near or touchable. The average cost of painting the exterior of a home is between $500 and $1, 000, depending on factors like size and paint type.

What do builders use for exterior walls?

Exterior walls for homes and commercial buildings are influenced by various factors such as climate, building use, design, and owner preferences. Seven basic types of exterior wall materials include quarried stone, vinyl, fiber cement, brick, wood, stucco, and composite.

Quarried stone is the most durable wall material, but it is rarely used alone. Vinyl siding is affordable, durable, and comes in various styles, colors, and textures. Fiber cement is strong and versatile, but heavy and brittle. Brick veneer can deliver the look and feel of bricks without the natural water absorption of traditional brick. Wood provides a long-lasting finish, especially when painted or stained, and is the most prone to fire damage. Stucco, similar to fiber cement, can last over 50 years with proper installation and maintenance.

New products like Structa Wire enhance the performance and reliability of stucco with less time and experience required. Composite, a mixture of wood, resin, PVC, and other polymers, is a newer exterior finishing material on the market, but has shown great results from EIFS/DEFS installations across the United States.

Contractors and architects can help clients make informed decisions about exterior walls based on these factors. By understanding the different types of exterior walls and their advantages, contractors and architects can help their clients make informed decisions about their home’s exterior finishes.

What is the most weather resistant exterior paint?

Acrylic paints are characterized by durability and resistance to blistering, flaking, and sun damage. These paints retain color for an extended period of time, dry rapidly, are simple to clean, and offer flexibility. However, they are often more expensive and may not adhere as well to rough surfaces. Furthermore, they are flexible and can be readily cleaned with water.

Should exterior house paint be flat or satin?

Satin finishes are often preferred for modern homes due to their slight sheen, while flat finishes are preferred for traditional or historical homes due to their matte appearance. Satin finishes are better suited for areas with high humidity, rain, or extreme weather conditions, as they are more resistant to moisture and mildew, and can withstand constant sun exposure. They are easier to clean and resistant to staining, making them ideal for areas that require frequent washing or dirt accumulation.

Aesthetic preferences also play a role in choosing the right paint finish. Satin offers a subtle glow, enhancing color richness, while flat provides a more subdued, classic appearance. Satin finishes typically offer better durability and longevity, especially in high-traffic areas or areas susceptible to wear and tear.

Color choice also plays a role in choosing a paint finish. Satin can make colors appear more vibrant, while flat finishes may give a more uniform color appearance. In conclusion, the choice between satin or flat finishes depends on the architectural style, surface condition, and personal maintenance and aesthetic preferences. By choosing the right paint finish, you can ensure your home looks stunning and provides a lasting impression. It is recommended to consult a professional painting contractor for more suggestions on selecting the best paint finish for your exterior house painting in Danville.