If you’re thinking of painting the exterior of your home, the material on the outside of your home should determine the type of paint you use. Painting on house exteriors is not a one size fits all option. There are certain types of paint that work best with particular materials on the exterior of your home. Choosing the wrong type of paint could result in the paint not working as well as it should or fading sooner than it should.
We’re going to look at 5 popular home exterior types and the best paints you should use. We’ll also check out some different finishes so that you can get the right combination to suit your home and your style.
Let’s get started.
1. Best Painting on Wood Siding and Shingles
If you have wood siding, you want to look at water-based acrylic latex, acrylic enamel, and acrylic latex enamel paints. These offer a durable finish. They also tend to cure faster than oil-based paints. If you choose long-lasting acrylic paints they are also better for the environment and resist fading in the sun.
Another plus of acrylic paints is that they are flexible. This allows them to expand and contract, making them a better choice for wood siding over oil-based paints.
2. Best Painting on Aluminum Siding
Just because you have aluminum siding doesn’t mean you can’t repaint it. If you want to give your house a new look, acrylic latex paint that is designated for use on metal is the best choice. This is especially true if there are any dents in the siding. Look for paint with a flat or satin finish. If you choose a gloss finish it will draw attention to any imperfections in your siding.
3. Best Painting on Vinyl Siding
Acrylic paints formulated with urethane resins are specifically used for vinyl siding. The urethane resins allow the paint to adhere to the vinyl while the acrylic expands and contracts with the siding.
Vinyl siding can only absorb so much heat. If you choose dark-colored paint, it may absorb too much heat. This can lead to the siding warping or buckling. This is why you’ll want to choose lighter paint colors for vinyl. Choosing a paint shade that is a shade or two lighter than your current color is best because it requires fewer coats of paint.
4. Best Painting on Bricks
Exterior paint on bricks is tricky because the type of paint you’ll want to use depends on whether the bricks are machine-made, hard handmade historic bricks, or soft handmade bricks. If you have an older home that dates back to before 1870, you likely have historic handmade bricks.
Typically, modern, machine-made bricks are better without paint. Painting these types of brick can trap moisture between the brick and the paint. When the temperature gets cold and the moisture freezes then thaws, the bricks and mortar between them can erode. This can threaten the structural integrity of your home.
If you don’t want to paint your bricks, you can have them professionally stained. The stain will seep into the pores of the brick. You can choose a stain that will either change the color of your bricks, lighten them, or even darken them.
5. Best Painting on Stucco
If you have a house made of stucco, you’ll want to choose paint with a flat finish. There are three different types, acrylic, elastomeric, and masonry.
Elastomeric paint resists water better than acrylic. It also has an elasticity that masonry and acrylic paints do not. Elastomeric paints are designed especially for stucco. They are a bit more expensive than acrylic paints but have additives that allow them to bond stronger than with the stucco.
Paint Finishes to Consider
Now that you have a better idea of the different types of paint to use on different home exteriors, it’s important to know which paint finishes work best on your home.
Flat or Matte Finish
Flat or matte paint is ideal for painting older houses because it can hide imperfections easily. It can also transform older houses and give them a more modern look.
Flat paint is the most porous finish so it’s not very durable. This is why you wouldn’t use it for interior painting of doors and high-traffic areas.
Satin Finish
Paints with a satin finish work well on wood or cement siding that is in good condition. You want to make sure it is thoroughly mixed before applying it. If it’s not, the sheen can be uneven and it won’t look good.
Semi-Gloss and Glossy Finish
Glossy finish paints are durable and easy to clean. They tend to be good on window sills and garage doors. Glossy finish paints also resist scuff marks and are more durable than paints with other finishes.
Semi-gloss paint is less shiny than glossy paint. Due to its durability and resistance to stains, it’s best for doors and trim work. For any areas of your home that are exposed to the elements, it’s best to choose semi-gloss over glossy paint.
Any high gloss finish paints will attract people’s attention, so you don’t want to use them on any dented siding or other imperfections of your home’s exterior.
Are You Looking to Paint the Exterior of Your Home?
If you’re looking to paint the exterior of your home, Osborne Painting can get the job done. You can expect high-quality work with an exterior painting job that is meant to last.
We’ve been serving the Raleigh, Cary, and nearby Triangle locations for over 20 years. Our extensive portfolio speaks for our work. For more information, call us at [location] or reach out to us online to request a free estimate. Let us give your home’s exterior the facelift it deserves with a fresh coat of paint done y the professionals at Osborne Painting.