Best Paint for Exterior Walls, The outside of your house makes a big difference in how curb appeal it looks overall since it’s the first thing guests and passersby will see. Selecting the ideal paint for your external walls not only improves their visual appeal but also shields the building from inclement weather, UV radiation, moisture, and mould. Choosing the best exterior paint might be overwhelming due to the vast array of options available today.
This post will go over the best paint kinds for outside walls, important characteristics to look for, and some of the best brands that provide exceptional endurance and durability.
The Importance of Selecting the Correct Paint
Before getting into particular paint kinds, it’s critical to comprehend why choosing the appropriate outside paint is so significant. Outside walls are subject to a variety of weather variables all the time, such as sunlight, rain, snow, and humidity. Your house can be shielded from the following with the correct paint:
- Weather Resistance: An excellent exterior paint acts as a shield from the weather to stop water seepage, peeling, and fading.
- UV Protection: Over time, sunlight can cause paint to fade and degrade. To preserve colour brilliance, the best exterior paints are made with UV protection in mind.
- Preventing Mould and Mildew: Outside walls are vulnerable to the formation of mould and mildew, particularly in humid or wet environments. To avoid this issue, mildewcides are often applied to exterior paints.
- Longevity and Durability: Selecting a long-lasting paint will prevent the need for periodic repainting, thus saving you time and money.
Paint Types for External Walls
You usually have two options when choosing paint for the outside of your house: oil-based and acrylic (water-based) paints. Depending on your demands and the surface you are painting, each has a benefit.
Water-Based Acrylic Paint
Because of its versatility, ease of use, and environmental friendliness, acrylic paint—also referred to as latex paint—is the most widely used option for external walls. Water-based paints are easy to clean up with soap and water and dry rapidly. Because acrylic paint expands and contracts with temperature changes to prevent peeling and cracking, it is perfect for homes located in areas with fluctuating weather conditions.
Key Benefits:
- Breathability: Acrylic paint lowers the possibility of peeling and blistering by allowing moisture to escape from the wall.
- Durability: It provides exceptional UV protection, reducing fading over time.
- Quick Drying: Water-based paints have a quicker drying time than oil-based paints, which facilitates applying more than one coat in a single day.
- Ideal for: Vinyl surfaces, brick, stucco, and wood.
Oil-Based Paint
Because of its hard, long-lasting finish, oil-based paint has historically been utilised for outdoor applications. Oil-based paints are less popular than acrylic paints, but they still have a role, particularly in homes with certain finishes or regions that need more moisture protection.
Key Benefits:
- Durability: Paints with an oil base create a robust shield that is resistant to severe damage.
- Smooth Finish: They give off a glossy, smooth finish that is perfect for metal surfaces, doors, and trimmings.
- Moisture Resistance: Oil-based paints provide excellent protection against moisture, which makes them appropriate for locations with a lot of humidity or frequent rain.
- Ideal for: Doors, metal surfaces, and locations that need a high-gloss coating.
Elastomeric Paint
Elastomeric paint is a flexible and extremely durable paint that is frequently applied to masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces. Because of its flexibility, it’s perfect for homes located in regions with harsh weather because it can fill up crevices and stop water from seeping through.
Key Benefits:
- Waterproofing: To seal external walls and stop water intrusion, elastomeric paint works wonders.
- Crack Bridging: It can seal minor fissures and leave a consistent, smooth surface behind.
- Durability: Offers enduring defence and is impervious to chipping, peeling, and fading.
- Ideal for: Masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces.
Important Criteria for Exterior Paint and Walls
The following crucial elements can improve the paint’s appearance and durability, so keep them in mind when selecting the best paint for your external walls:
Weather Resistance
The best exterior paints are made to endure a range of climates, from sweltering summers to bitterly frigid winters. Seek for coatings that provide protection against wind, rain, and sunlight. Selecting paints that can withstand water infiltration is crucial in humid or rainy environments to avoid the growth of mould and mildew.
UV Protection
Paint that fades easily from sun exposure will make the curb appeal of your home less appealing. If you want your outside paint to stay bright for years, look for paints that provide UV protection.
Resistance to Mould and Mildew
Outside walls are susceptible to serious damage from mould and mildew, especially in humid areas. A lot of outdoor paints come with mildewcides added to the recipe to stop mould growth and maintain the fresh appearance of your walls.
Reduced Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
It’s critical to select low-VOC paints for both the environment and your health. Paints with reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emit fewer toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, protecting both the environment and painters.
Thickness and Coverage
How efficiently the paint covers flaws and shields the surface depends on its thickness and coverage. Better coverage can be achieved with fewer coats of high-quality paint, which saves application time and labour.
Finish Options
There are several finishes available for exterior paints, such as satin, high-gloss, semi-gloss, and flat. Various finishes offer benefits based on your desired appearance and level of durability.
Although flat finishes are great for covering up flaws in walls, they might not be as long-lasting as glossier ones.
Eggshell or satin finishes are popular for external walls because they are easier to clean and give off a subtle sheen.
Semi-gloss and gloss finishes provide a glossy, long-lasting, and easily cleaned appearance, but they can also draw attention to flaws in the surface. Perfect for doors and trimmings.
Advice on Painting the Outside and Paint for Exterior Walls
If exterior paint is not applied correctly, even the greatest paint won’t last as long. In order to guarantee a great paint job, follow these tips:
- Prepare the Surface: Give the surface a thorough cleaning to get rid of any debris, mildew, and grime. For a smooth finish, sand the rough areas and remove any loose or peeling paint using a scraper.
- Prime When Required: If you’re painting over bare wood, new stucco, or a chalky surface, use a high-quality primer before applying the paint. Many modern paints come with built-in primer, but it’s still a good idea to prime if the surface is heavily weathered.
- Select the Proper Weather: Ideally, you should paint in mild, dry weather, with a temperature between 50°F and 85°F. Steer clear of painting in the sun, in the rain, or on very humid days.
- Make Use of Premium Brushes and Rollers: Purchase high-quality painting supplies to ensure a consistent and flawless finish.
When selecting the ideal paint for exterior walls, you should take into account things like coverage, weather resistance, UV protection, and longevity. Oil-based and elastomeric paints are advantageous for particular surfaces and situations, but acrylic paints are the most widely used option because of their adaptability and environmental friendliness. For durable, weather-resistant paints, Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Benjamin Moore are great brands to choose from. Your home’s exterior may be kept attractive and safe for many years to come if you choose the right paint and apply it correctly.
