Top 12 Best Exterior Paints in 2024

1. Durability

Latex and acrylic paints with the highest quality materials, such as acrylic solids and pigments, are commonly known as the top-of-the-line paints like Rust-Oleum Zinsser PermaWhite Exterior Paint. They're typically thicker and stickier than lower-quality colors. 

Oil-based paints, on the other hand, are usually lighter and runnier than water-based paints. Oil-based paints are more resilient than acrylic or silicone paints in general, but they yellow more easily. They're also getting less common due to their high rate of VOC levels. Acrylic and latex colors have also risen significantly inconsistency over the last few decades.

Durability also concerns the number of coats used; more coats can make the surface more durable. Sheen is also a measure of durability; the higher the gloss means, the more washable and long-lasting

2. Low VOCs

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are poisonous gases produced by chemicals and solvents used in paint materials. During the painting process, carbon-containing compounds emit noxious gases. These compounds have long been used to enhance the hardness and drying time of oil-based paints. 

Many acrylic and latex paints still contain VOCs but at a low level, such as Microblend Exterior Paint and Primer . The trend recently is to reduce or exclude the compounds and provide a better painting experience.

These noxious fumes may induce headaches and nausea, so choose a paint labeled "Low-VOCs" or "Zero-VOCs." Although these fumes are less likely to affect you when painting outside, you might also want to choose a low-VOCs product. Oil paint has the highest VOCs content compared to the latex one.

3. Dry time

Different paints have different dry periods, so it's important to wait until the first coat is dry before adding a second coat if you want a good finish. Most latex paints like KILZ Enamel Porch & Patio Latex Floor Paint are touchable after a few hours, and a second coat can be added in 4 to 6 hours. Oil paint, on the other hand, takes 6 to 8 hours to dry to the touch and can take up to 24 hours before a second coat can be added. The paint cans will normally tell you how long it will take to dry.

Although the second coat can be applied after a few hours, it is not always cured. The liquid-made-of paints are completely cured after all of the solvent additives have evaporated. Cure times vary by paint type, with latex and acrylic taking a few weeks to cure and oil-based paint can take a month.

4. Long-lasting pain

Low-quality paints can contain cheap pigments including talc, clay, and silica, which fade over time, particularly if the painted surface is exposed to direct sunlight from the south.

Bear in mind that dark colors disappear faster than light colors on your home's exterior. Look for “titanium dioxide” on the ingredient list whether you tend to paint a dark or light hue on your house. This expensive yet long-lasting pigment is usually only used in high-end paint lines. Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Latex Paint is a typical example for this. If you choose to make faux surfaces, such as painting to look like wood, seek exterior paints with UV protection to prevent the effects from fading.

5. Weather resistance

Whatever happens in nature, good paint should be able to withstand it. Oil paints can survive heavy rain and are simple to clean. For several years, oil was the standard exterior paint before the development of acrylic-based latex paint.

Acrylic is a binder that causes latex to flex somewhat, making it less porous and crack-prone and hence more resistant to rain, take KILZ Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint as an example. The terms "all acrylic" or "100 percent acrylic" appear on the best latex paint labels. Less expensive paints, on the other hand, include a small amount of acrylic, making the paint less likely to resist the weather.

1. When should you paint to get a long-lasting finish?

If you need to paint outdoors with latex paint while the weather is unstable, it is recommended to use high-quality latex paints. They can be spread and cured at temperatures as low as 35° F. Otherwise, temperatures above 60° F are needed for traditional latex-based paints to cure properly. To allow the latex particles to coalesce, or melt together, higher temperatures are needed. As a result, painting outdoors in the spring and fall can be challenging. Painting when the daytime high temperature is over 60° F and the nighttime temperature is much colder is a typical error since dew falls on almost all as soon as the sunsets.

2. How long should the temperature remain in the suggested range?

For at least 48 hours after application, the temperature should be in the recommended range and above the dew point. A paint film will not shape properly in colder temperatures or where there is moisture on the surface. This will reduce the paint's lifespan and can result in surfactant leaching, mildew formation, frosting, and adhesion issues. Try choosing a house paint that can be spread and cured at temperatures as low as 35° F when forecasters expect changing temperatures that could fall below the usual recommendation of 50° F for latex paint.

3. Is it easier to paint the outside with a spray gun or a roller?

Spray painting is the quickest way to paint huge areas where precision isn't needed, such as an exterior wall; while roller painting is best for interior walls where you aim for detail work. Commonly, painters combine the two techniques, spraying to get paint on the surface easily and accurately, then back to brushing to smooth the paint out evenly, resulting in a professional-looking finish.

4. What kind of paint can be used for outside painting?

All paints intended for use outside will have the term " “Exterior Paint” on the label. Indoor-only paints lack the materials needed to withstand fog, snow, and temperature changes.

5. Is it possible to paint over old exterior paint?

Overpainting an old painted exterior is a safe way to seal any potential hairline gaps and increase the material's weather resistance. The basic theory is that oil paint should be applied over old oil paint and acrylic or latex paint should be applied over old acrylic or latex paint. Some new varieties of primers are available to assist with the change between various types of paint if you choose to paint over old exterior paint with a different type of paint.

Siding, trim, and a variety of other outdoor products can all benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Even if painting isn't one of your favorite DIY ventures, protecting and beautifying exterior siding and other things is well worth the effort. Let's choose the best exterior paints if you want your house to get the much-needed facelift.

In view of the criteria above, the best exterior paints to use in your home are suggested below.

• Best overall:

If you want a long-lasting finish, Look no further than  Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Latex Paint. This multi-purpose, fast-drying paint works well on a wide range of surfaces such as wood, metal, plaster, masonry, or unglazed ceramic, and offers excellent coverage for all kinds of exterior designs. It also comes with a vast range of colors that will go well for all of your current designs.

• Best for budget:

Rust-Oleum Zinsser PermaWhite Exterior Paint protects and updates the appearance of siding, sheds, and outdoor furniture. Zinsser is a pure white latex paint from Rust-Oleum's well-known line of paint and coating products. It's ideal for painting siding, Adirondack chairs, and picket fences, and many other exterior surfaces. Since the paint is self-priming, only one coat is required on previously painted surfaces and two coats are required on bare wood.

• Best for wood siding:

KILZ Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint is a great exterior paint that provides coverage and weather protection while also adding charm to outdoor structures. This exterior paint is resistant to cracking, peeling, and blistering. This paint has a special water/oil base combination that provides excellent adhesion, flexibility, and durability in a variety of environments. It takes 2-3 hours for this paint to dry to the touch and 6 to 8 hours to dry for the second coating.

• Best for Porch and Patio:

You'll need durable paint for porches and patios,  KILZ Enamel Porch & Patio Latex Floor Paint is such a good choice. Scuffing, fading, splitting, and peeling are all prevented by this acrylic paint. Trim, siding, chairs, and trellises will all benefit from it. This exterior paint takes 1 hour to dry to the touch. In 4 to 6 hours, it will be able to recoat, enabling you to finish the job quicker.

• Best for color selection:

Microblend Exterior Paint and Primer are well-known for beautiful paint colors. Its paint comes in +300 colors and shades so you're sure to find what you're looking for. This exterior paint has a fluid resin-rich formula that can resist the weather or any other external factor, avoiding flaking, peeling, and fading over time as well as the growth of fungi and algae. Moreover, the water-based solution also helps this paint dry quickly and emits few VOCs. 

Keep in mind that when painting your home, the planning process is crucial. To get the desired result, selecting the best exterior paints that suit your preference is important. Hopefully, these guides can assist you in deciding which exterior paint to use in the future. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this!