There is no concrete answer to the question of how long exterior paint will last. The longevity of paint depends on a variety of factors, including the brand, the climate, and the quality of prep work done before painting.
On average, interior paints are designed for a lifespan of three to five years before they need to be repainted. Exterior paints and stains can last anywhere from five to twenty years depending on the manufacturer, but the lifespan of the paint is not only dependent on the quality of the paint itself but also weather and environmental factors.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your next paint job:
Prepping Your Exterior Walls Correctly
The first step in getting the longest-lasting paint job possible is prepping your home’s exterior correctly before painting.
If you don’t prep properly, the moisture and salt in the air can cause your new paint job to fail prematurely.
That means taking down any peeling or chipped paint first (you’ll have to finish all the small repairs on these areas eventually anyway, so you might as well do them now).
You should also check for loose siding and other damage, which can be fixed before repainting to prevent future problems.
The biggest factor in determining how long your exterior paint will last is the weather conditions where you live.
For example, if you live in an area that receives a lot of rain and snow throughout the year, it may not be possible to get the same lifespan as someone would get who lives in a dryer climate.
What’s The Best Exterior Paint Brand?
The other big factor in choosing the right paint for your needs.
If you are looking for something affordable but also want it to last as long as possible, there are paints available that are formulated to last a long time and still meet your budget.
You just have to do a little research and know what you’re getting into before choosing one.
The best exterior paint brand depends on who you ask and is a personal preference.
Professionals tend to avoid Behr products and prefer Sherwin Williams Or Benjamin Moore instead.
Homeowners and DIYers swear by Behr products.
It depends on your budget and personal preferences.
Emerald, Duration, and Super Paint are all good and durable Sherwin-Williams exterior products.
Related article Sherwin Williams Emerald Exterior Paint Review
Aura, Regal, and Ultra spec are all good and durable Benjamin Moore products.
Related Article How To Paint A Metal Exterior Door
In most cases, you get what you pay for when it comes to paints and premium paints.
Price does factor in and makes a difference in quality.
What Is The Best Exterior Paint At Home Depot?
Behr Premium Plus is probably the best option for exterior paint projects that you can get at Home Depot.
It’s 100% Acrylic and Ideal for wood, vinyl, and fiber cement sidings, stucco, brick, masonry, and fences
Related article:5 Best Paints For Old Wood Decks Home Depot
What Is The Best Exterior Paint For Wood?
If you’re painting or staining exterior wood, oil-based paints are the best option.
They offer the longest-lasting protection and are less likely to crack or peel with age than latex paints.
Oil-based paints also resist mildew and mold better than acrylic paints.
However, working with oil-based paints is difficult and takes more experience.
You’ll also need proper protective gear, such as a respirator and rubber gloves.
Cleaning oil-based paint will require working with acetone.
If oil-based paint is not an option, choose exterior acrylic paint because it resists mildew and moisture better than latex paint.
Some types of acrylic paint are more expensive than others but are worth the extra cost. It is best to avoid interior paints. They don’t adhere well to wood and won’t last outside.
I recommend applying a primer on bare wood before applying an exterior paint finish.
Primers seal in wood, preventing moisture from seeping into the wood and drying it out, which can cause cracks and peeling paint.
They also provide a base coat so that when you apply the topcoat, it fits together smoothly for a professional-looking finish.
Your primer should be made explicitly for exterior use.
The best primer choice for bare wood spots would be either an oil-based primer or a peel stop primer.
What Is The Best Exterior Paint For Stucco?
There are a few types of paint that work on stucco surfaces, but not all of them will do the trick.
Exterior paints for stucco surfaces should ideally be acrylic, masonry, or elastomeric (or a mix of these three) because they’re more flexible than other paints.
Acrylic paints bond with the surface and won’t peel off over time. Masonry paint tends to last longer than acrylics and is also moisture-resistant.
Elastomeric, which is used to paint rubber and plastic surfaces, adheres well to stucco and won’t crack over time.
Just make sure the paint you choose isn’t going to bleed through the pores in the stucco surface, or it could stain your foundation walls.
Fiberglass-reinforced elastomeric coatings are another option for exterior stucco painting.
This type of coating bonds well with stucco surfaces and resists peeling, cracking, and blistering.
They’re also resistant to mildew and mold growth so you can use them on exterior applications where moisture is common.
In Conclusion
The most durable and long-lasting exterior paint will always be an oil-based product, but acrylic paint is a more user-friendly option that is long-lasting and is used by 95% of homeowners and professionals.