Best Exterior Paint Finish For Wood Siding

With different paint types and finishes it s important to understand the characteristics of each to find the best outdoor house paint for the surface you need to cover.

Best exterior paint finish for wood siding. Flat matte this finish softens the look of an exterior and helps hide surface blemishes. Oil based is usually more durable but can take longer to dry. But if you use the right paint you can expect the results to look fresh for a decade on a stucco surface and as long as seven years on siding. You will also have to choose between latex and oil based paint.

Normally semi gloss paint is the best choice for trim work since high gloss paints are so shiny that they highlight imperfections. Flat finishes are ideal for body siding. Most paints will either be for siding walls and fences or different types of flooring and ground surfaces. Eggshell finish exterior paint also often called satin finish is well suited to vinyl wood planks or fiber cement siding that s newer and or in good repair.

Before you begin to paint the exterior of a house mask windows and doors with heavy plastic or builder s paper and lay drop cloths on the ground. Browse paints available in flat matte finish. Eggshell paint is the most popular exterior paint finish for the body of a home. Sand the remaining paint to a dull finish.

Our guide helps you choose the best exterior house paint that will look great while protecting your home from moisture and temperature changes. If your home has older wooden siding or you need to conceal siding imperfections flat paint can be a good choice. Satin or semi gloss for exterior paint is most widely used. Satin with its slight gloss this finish offers the benefits of a flat finish with added cleanability.

In spots where wood is uneven try a putty knife which is less likely to damage wood. Use a hook scraper to remove loose paint. Prestige paint and primer in one for the exterior is made from 100 acrylic latex and is meant for outdoor surfaces that have been prepared such as cement board siding masonry wood factory siding vinyl and more. Safety conscious people will love the fact that this paint is low voc and also super easy to clean up with just soap and water.

However some substrates require flat paint sheen where we will discuss further in article. For large areas of the home covered by siding less glossy paints are a better choice. When to use a flat paint finish. The best exterior paint be it latex or oil based.

Latex is easier to work with and can dry in as little as two hours in good weather.