We researched the top exterior paints available today, evaluating ease of application, durability, formulation, and color choices. Our pick for best overall, the BEHR Premium Plus Exterior Paint and Primer in One, is versatile enough to be used on a variety of surfaces (such as wood, vinyl, and cement), can be applied even during low temperatures, and resists issues like peeling and mildew. Here are the best exterior paints. At 400 square feet, it provides slightly more coverage than some of its competitors, though it’s also a bit more expensive. Some found that they needed multiple coats, especially when using lighter colors; a few people also said that it had a tendency to clump, and required diligent stirring. Despite these complaints, Behr Premium Plus won as our top selection for its durability, ease of use, low chemical emissions, and quick drying time. Price at time of publish: $48 The price is attractive (it’s the most affordable on our list by far) but there are some things to know before you commit. Because of the oil formulation, this paint dries fairly slowly (10 to 12 hours) and you can’t recoat until 24 hours have passed. The coverage area is a bit lower than some competitors (200 to 300 square feet) and some people also found that it went on thin, so they needed more paint than planned. But given the price and its durability, we think it’s a worthy choice. Price at time of publish: $39 It contains one part polyurethane, so it has a bit of sheen but won’t create a harsh glare when the sun hits it. Because the non-skid particles have a low density, they stay suspended in the paint rather than floating to the top or sinking to the bottom, which means you won’t have to constantly mix it as you’re painting. The color choices are somewhat limited, but they can be mixed with each other to create your own custom shade, or even with Total Wet Edge paint, which comes in many more hues. Price at time of publish: $115 We also like that it’s a zero-VOC paint and doesn’t require primer. Note that the application is slightly more involved than traditional exterior paint. You’ll need to dilute the paint with water before applying (they recommend using a large masonry brush) and spray with a hose afterward to get the classic lime wash look. One gallon covers between 200 and 250 square feet, depending on how porous the surface is. It dries in 10 to 60 minutes, depending on the weather conditions. Price at time of publish: $53 It’s self-priming, so you won’t need a separate product, and designed to resist mildew. As the name suggests, it’s expected to be durable—some report as long as eight to ten years. It’s recommended to use two coats for a new project, and one coat for repainting, and it’s safe to apply even in chilly temperatures down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Price at time of publish: $94 Although it is somewhat expensive, it has a fairly expansive coverage area of about 400 square feet. Some customers did report issues with the paint seeming thin and needing more than originally planned, and others in warm climates noticed fading and peeling after only about a year. The paint dries to the touch in about an hour, and you can apply a second coat after four. Price at time of publish: $54 Aura has a fairly large coverage area of around 400 square feet, and due to the viscosity, most people did not find themselves needing more than their estimate. To resist fading, Benjamin Moore uses a technology called “Color Lock,” which helps bond the pigment to the dry paint. It’s available in several different finishes and can be applied in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Price at time of publish: $89 Note that it is pricey—at press time, if you bought enough for a gallon it would cost close to $200—but luckily you won’t need too much, and you can also use it on other areas of your home, such as trim and shutters. It can be applied to either wood or metal, and the fast drying time (one hour) means you’ll be able to close your door fairly quickly after you finish the project. Modern Masters paint is also low in VOCs and can be applied with a variety of painting tools, such as a quarter-inch roller, angled sash brush, or sprayer. Price at time of publish: $50 This paint is designed to resist alkali damage, mildew, and fading, all of which are common issues if you have stucco. We also love that Behr offers coordinating matching colors if you are also painting other areas of your home. Note that with any type of stucco paint, it’s important to follow the directions and prep your surface carefully and that in some cases, people needed more paint than they originally estimated. Price at time of publish: $32
Material
Are you painting brick, vinyl siding, or wood? Are you using a primer or covering another layer of paint directly? Make sure that the brand of paint you’re considering is compatible with the surface you’re painting, or you’ll risk needing to repaint much earlier than you may have wanted. “Acrylic paint adheres best to vinyl and is also generally the best option for exterior wood, since it’s formulated to reduce cracking, blistering, and peeling,” says Sean Chapman, a professional carpenter, and founder of Tools’n’Goods. For brickwork, Chapman suggests a flat-finish masonry paint. “This will reduce cracking and also prevent a white, chalky coating from appearing,” he says.
Finish
Paints come in four main finishes: flat, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Semi-gloss and gloss paints may be used on accents, like doors, window sills, or shutters, but are not well-suited for large areas. “Semi-gloss offers excellent resistance to stains and the elements. Gloss finish is shinier and more resistant to scuffs, but will highlight imperfections if any. It’s also very easy to clean,” says Chapman. Flat paints hide imperfections in texture and absorb light but are difficult to clean and may require more regular touch-ups. “Flat finish is often used for scratched siding and it’s also easier to touch up periodically,” says Chapman. Satin finishes can be washed but require more care when painting to ensure an attractive final result. “Satin is great for brickwork and concrete since it has a low sheen and cleans up easily,” says Chapman.
Type of Wood
If you’re using paint on exterior wood, pay attention to the type of wood you’ll be painting. Softwoods, including pressure-treated pine or cedar, are great candidates for water-based acrylic paints. Alkyd paint formulas might be a better option for wood previously stained with an oil-based formula or hardwoods, like ipe.
Base
Choose between water-based or oil-based exterior paint formulas. Acrylic or latex exterior paints are water-based. These paints have low VOC formulas and dry quickly (usually within several hours). Oil-based paints have a reputation for excellent penetration but require mineral spirits for clean-up, as compared to soap and water clean-up for water-based exterior paint. “Oil-based paints are more resistant to moisture and solvents, which makes it a better option for surfaces that need to be cleaned often, like doors and railings, but it’s weaker against temperature fluctuations than latex paint and may crack over time,” says Chapman.
Durability
While it’s true that oil-based exterior paint formulas offer excellent penetration, acrylic exterior paint is generally considered the most durable option. Why? Acrylic paint tends to have a more elastic formula that allows the paint to expand and contract in response to the environment and therefore has better weather resistance. Oil-based paints have the potential to crack under similar conditions. “You also opt to cover oil-based paint with latex paint for higher durability,” says Chapman.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Lexi Dwyer, who has been writing for The Spruce since 2019 and has covered topics like home decor shopping sources as well as products like clotheslines, gardening shoes, and woodworking benches. To make this list, she considered the formula, ease of application, drying time, color choices, and durability. For tips on buying and maintaining exterior paint, she also spoke to Sean Chapman, a professional carpenter and founder of Tools’n’Goods.
Painting bare woodUsing exterior paint on a slick surface, such as metalApplying paint of a different shade, or when covering stainsWhen painting concrete, vinyl, or stucco
“With vinyl and aluminum, you’ll want a specialty primer to help the surface withstand the paint’s PH level,” says Chapman. You typically don’t need to use a primer before exterior paint if you are applying the same color over a previously painted surface or if there are no bare surfaces or stains you’re trying to cover. However, some exterior paints can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications according to the manufacturer. Low-VOC or zero-VOC formulas are sometimes recommended for either type of application.
