Whether your home is brand new or you are preparing for a sale, painting your exterior is an excellent way to enhance its look and add curb appeal. However, a quality paint job can be costly and time-consuming to apply. To ensure your investment lasts as long as possible, you should choose an exterior paint that will withstand the elements and provide a beautiful sheen for years to come.
Choosing the Best Exterior Paint
Exterior paint is designed to resist harsh and changing weather conditions, which is why it usually has additives that make it resistant to sun damage and cold weather. These additives include UV-protective compounds and mildewcides to help keep mold and mildew from growing on your walls.
The composition of exterior paint varies depending on what you are painting and the click this surface it is applied to. But, most paints have a basic structure: solvents that hold binders and pigments in suspension; dyes that give the paint its color; and resins that make it hard.
Oil-based exterior paints are usually more durable than latex or acrylic paints. The reason is because they have a more elastic formula than other paints, which allows them to expand and contract in response to changing temperatures.
Another advantage of oil-based paints is that they dry faster than water-based paints. “Water-based paints are more likely to crack under hot or cold temperatures, and they tend to be more susceptible to moisture and solvents,” says Chapman.
Priming is crucial for the longevity of an exterior paint finish. Using the right primers helps the paint adhere to the surface better and creates a smoother, more consistent appearance.
Adding multiple coats of paint is also important for increasing the lifespan of an exterior painting job. You should apply at least two coats of paint to exterior trim and window sashes, and additional coatings can be used for other areas of your home that are at risk for paint damage from weather or other factors.
Picking the Right Sheen for Your Exterior
The sheen of an exterior paint is determined by the ratio of binders and resins to the level of pigments in it. Sheens come in a range of types, from semi-gloss to satin, and all offer different degrees of stain resistance and durability.
Gloss Paint
Having a glossy paint is ideal for siding, trim and other parts of your home that will be exposed to the weather. It offers a high degree of stain resistance and makes it easy to clean.
A gloss sheen is a good choice for wood and cement siding, but not for stucco or brick, as it may fade quickly when exposed to sunlight.
Eggshell Paint
As the name suggests, eggshell paint is a thinned down version of gloss that provides a more matte look and offers better resistance to sunlight. This paint type is recommended for wood or cement siding and doors, but it also works well on textured walls.