best type of exterior paint
Truck & Tool Rental The Home Depot Logo DIY Projects & Ideas Flooring & Area Rugs Lighting & Ceiling Fans Protect your home and increase curb appeal with the best exterior house paint A new coat of exterior paint improves your home’s appearance while simultaneously protecting it from moisture, fading and temperature changes. This guide will help you understand the different varieties of exterior paint and determine which type is best for your home. Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Paint Water-based paint is typically used for most exterior applications, but oil-based paint may work better on metals and bleeding woods. Consists of pigment and binder with water used as carrier Flexible: Expands and contracts with siding on house Breathable: Won’t trap moisture and crack or peel Dries faster (1-6 hours) with less odor Latex paints with an all-acrylic binder hold up to weather better than those with a vinyl-acrylic binder. Consists of pigment and resin in a solvent thinner.
On surfaces with four or more coats of oil paint, stick with oil, since a water-based paint may cause the oil paint to pull away and crack.
vintage wedding decorations for tables Bare wood and a few other bare surfaces need to be primed before you paint them.
cheap halloween home decorLike paint, primers come in oil- and water-based varieties. Oil-based primers are suitable for use with oil- or water-based paint, so you can prime a chalky surface with oil-based primer for better adhesion and still take advantage of the benefits of latex paint. Like oil-based paint, these primers are preferable for stained wood, bleeding wood (sap or tannin) and metals that rust. Water-based primers are recommended for most applications, but should only be used with water-based paint.
Look for specific primers to be used wood, concrete, and metals such as galvanized steel, iron and aluminum. Choose between flat/matte, glossy and satin finishes. Flat/matte finish: A flat finish hides imperfections better than a glossier finish but doesn’t clean as well. Flat finishes are generally used for siding. Glossy finish: Glossy paint creates a hard, shiny, durable finish that is easy to clean. Glossy paint brings out details, so it is usually preferred for trim and doors. It also accentuates imperfections, so it is not well-suited for siding or walls. Satin finish: A satin finish has a slight gloss, so it is easier to clean than flat paint yet still hides imperfections well. Exterior paint must withstand harsh weather, sunlight, temperatures and more. For this reason, some formulas are designed for use on specific parts of your home. What You Should Know Oil and latex available; 100% acrylic latex lends the best results Provides weather-resistant coverage for garages, porches, decks and concrete surfaces
Oil and latex are both available; oil is better for tin gutters Adheres well to galvanized steel and aluminum A galvanized metal primer must be applied before painting Oil and latex formulations available Will withstand wear and exposure to severe weather conditions Manufacturers offer specific formulations for regional climates Ideal for stucco, concrete, cement and shingles Most require a special pretreatment or bonding primer Pool and Marine Paint Look for a polymerized cement-based product for concrete and gunite pools Look for paints that provide stain- and abrasion-resistance Be sure to check for compatibility with your surface (pool, concrete deck or spa) Look for an acrylic-latex blend Most are mildew- and algae-proof Should not be used for waterproofing or to repair roof leaks Can be tinted to match roof color Surface Preparation and Painting Even the best paint won’t adhere well or produce good results if you don’t prepare the surface correctly.
If the surface has been painted before, check for peeling paint and scrape it off prior to applying a new coat. Clean, scrape and fill holes in the surface prior to paint application. If unpainted wood is gray or weathered, it should be sanded. Sleek surfaces may require light sanding to improve adhesion with primer or paint. Prime all bare wood, including bare spots and nails on previously painted surfaces. Tip: Paint in the right weather: In temperatures colder than 50 degrees, most paint won’t dry, but cold-weather paints are available for cooler climates. In warm temperatures or direct sunlight, paint may dry too fast, causing lap marks. Wind, rain and humidity can also affect the drying time and final appearance. Check your paint label for recommendations on temperature ranges before starting. Exterior Paint, Stain & Waterproofing Masonry, Brick & Stucco Paint Ask A Home Depot Expert Pro Tips: What Type of Paint Is Best for Exteriors?
For an exterior paint job that really lasts, you need to start with the right paint. We've consulted with the pros to find out what's new and how to ensure the best results. A fresh coat of exterior paint does wonders for the look of a home, revolutionizing its curb appeal while adding a valuable layer of protection against the elements. In recent years, paint technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, leaving today’s homeowners spoiled for choice when it comes to products that are not only durable, but also resistant to mold, mildew, and dirt—the trio of threats that most commonly undermine the longevity of an exterior paint job. Related: Exterior Paint 101 If you are trying to decide whether to choose oil or latex paint—latex being the generic term for all non-oil-based paints—the question may no longer be a relevant one: The latest and greatest paint formulations are more often than not water based. “In the past, oil-based paints were the standard for exterior projects,” explains Karl Schmitt, of Sherwin-Williams.
Times have changed, however. Superior performance characteristics are now to be found among water-based products. Schmitt continues, “Some professional painters believe oil-based paints deliver a better finish.” But unless the surface to be painted is distressed (for example, weathered wood or rusty metal), Schmitt maintains that “a water-based paint is the best option for the average do-it-yourself homeowner.” Whereas “oil-based paints tend to yellow and become brittle over time,” high-quality water-based paints, such as Sherwin-Williams Emerald, retain a smooth and uniform appearance for years. “There are some real benefits to using water-based paint,” Schmitt says. These include “improved adhesion performance, mold and mildew resistance, and low VOC emissions.” Another important benefit of water-based paints: They more or less extend the exterior painting season. It used to be that “you couldn’t paint if the temperature was below 50 degrees.” Those days are gone.
Improved formulations permit successful painting to be done even on days as cold as 35 degrees. Noor Aweidah of Valspar cites further advantages of water-based paint: “shorter dry time, better coverage, and easier cleanup.” Duramax, the top-of-the-line exterior paint manufactured by Valspar, even features paint and primer in one application. What it all adds up to, she says, is a “just-painted look” that lasts for an impressively long period of time. Before undertaking an exterior painting project, Aweidah recommends that you take several factors into account. “Weather is the first thing to consider.” Start by figuring out the right time to paint. “For best results,” she says, “an air temperature and surface temperature of 50 degrees is ideal. It’s also important to prepare for the project and use a high-quality paint.” Cover these bases, and “any exterior paint project [will be] doable for any DIYer.” Sherwin-Williams’s Schmitt concludes, “Buy the highest-quality paint you can afford.”