The Best Exterior Paints of 2024 for Every Outdoor Surface
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Exterior Paints of 2024 for Every Outdoor Surface and hope the blog can help you.
Purchase the right paint for an outdoor project—be it mortar, wood, flooring, or trim—and get long-lasting, beautiful results.
If the right house paint is used, the results can look fresh for a decade on a stucco surface and as long as seven years on siding. The best exterior paint forms a durable bond on exterior surfaces and offers protection from the elements while giving a fresh, new look.
Since outdoor surfaces are subject to extreme weather conditions, including harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays, temperature fluctuations, and storms, choosing the right protective paint for the intended surface matters. Our top pick is the Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior Paint; it’s extremely hard-wearing thanks to advanced resin technology, plus buyers can choose from 100 color options.
Keep reading to learn what makes an excellent exterior house paint and why the following formulas made the list for outdoor projects.Some of our top picks even went through hands-on testing to ensure they could meet our standards.
- BEST OVERALL: Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior Paint
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Latex Paint
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Rust-Oleum Zinsser Perma-White Exterior Paint
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR BRICK OR STUCCO: Valspar Masonry, Stucco, & Brick Paint
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR WOOD SIDING: Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR PORCH FLOORS: Behr Premium Low-Lustre Porch & Patio Floor Paint
↓ Jump to Review
How We Chose the Best Exterior Paints
In our search for the best exterior paint, we only considered options from the top paint brands. Certain key factors, including durability, longevity, and weather resistance, determined which paints stood out above the rest. Each top pick covers at least 130 square feet per gallon and will last for years.
With a variety of exterior surfaces in mind, we chose paints that can be applied to siding, trim, deck flooring, and more. Some options also resist mold, mildew, moisture, stains, dirt, and UV rays. The featured list includes formulas that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for users looking to minimize chemical smells. Most latex and acrylic latex formulas are either tintable or come in numerous colors.
Our Top Picks
There are many factors to consider when choosing an exterior paint for a home. To make the search easier, we assembled the following list of some of the best options based on category. All of these high-quality paints can help deliver a long-lasting finish to help with curb appeal goals.
Best Overall
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior Paint
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Acrylic latex
- Coverage: 350 to 400 square feet per gallon
- Colorways: 100
What We Like
- Made with advanced resin technology and dirt- and mildew-resistant coating
- Comes in 100 colors and 5 sheens
- Can be applied in temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit
What We Don’t Like
- Painting a large project can be quite expensive
This exterior house paint option is called SuperPaint for a reason. The protective and water-based paint from Sherwin-Williams withstands cold and warm temperatures without fading, cracking, or peeling thanks to the integrated advanced resin technology. It also comes with a dirt- and mildew-resistant coating for added protection.
This acrylic latex exterior house paint is available in 100 colors to match a home’s color scheme. It also comes in flat, high-gloss, satin, gloss, and low-luster sheens. Sherwin-Williams made this high-quality paint easy to apply in temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
What our testers say: Mark Wolfe, a Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, notes the following: “I‘ve used it on a couple of outdoor projects. The consistency is very thick, so it usually takes just one or two coats for initial coverage on raw wood. I’ve never had to do a second coat when repainting a previously finished project.”
Glenda Taylor, another Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, says that “SuperPaint from Sherwin-Williams is a game changer. It goes on smooth and self-levels to give you a uniform finish, and it’s the longest-lasting exterior latex paint I’ve ever used. It might be a tad on the pricey side, but it’s worth it.”
Get the Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint exterior paint at Sherwin-Williams.
Runner-up
Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint
Photo: sherwin-williams.com
Product Specs
- Type: Acrylic latex
- Coverage: 250 to 300 square feet per gallon
- Colorways: 100
What We Like
- Low-VOC formula
- Resists cracking and peeling for long-term durability
- Self-priming formula is easier to apply than other paints
- Can be applied in temperatures down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit
What We Don’t Like
- Comes at a premium price; may require a significant investment for a large project
Made with advanced acrylic copolymers for lasting durability, Sherwin-Williams Duration paint is an excellent option for many exterior painting projects. The exterior house paint contains a high amount of acrylic solids and is self-priming, so DIYers need only apply a single coat to prepainted wood and two coats to cover bare wood. One of the manufacturer’s top paint lines, Duration is designed to resist cracking, blistering, and peeling.
As a bonus, Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint is a low-VOC option, making it less likely to create objectionable fumes than other exterior paints. Available in more than 100 color options, Duration can be applied at temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit, making it versatile and long lasting. One gallon covers up to 300 square feet.
Get the Sherwin-Williams Duration exterior paint at Sherwin-Williams.
Best Bang For The Buck
Rust-Oleum Zinsser Perma-White Exterior Paint
photo: Amazon.com
Product Specs
- Type: Acrylic latex
- Coverage: 300 to 400 square feet per gallon
- Colorways: 50
What We Like
- Resists mold and mildew
- Blocks stains, dirt, and moisture without tarnishing or wearing
- Easier to apply due to its self-priming formula
What We Don’t Like
- Contains VOCs
Protect and update the look of siding, sheds, and outdoor furniture with Rust-Oleum Zinsser Perma-White exterior paint. Zinsser, from Rust-Oleum’s professional line of paint and coating products, is a pure-white latex paint that’s well suited for painting numerous exterior surfaces, such as siding, Adirondack chairs, and picket fences. The paint is self-priming, so only one coat is needed on previously painted materials and two on bare wood.
Zinsser has mold- and mildew-inhibiting ingredients to protect exterior wood, as long as the surface is clear from any existing mold or mildew before painting. The paint offers good coverage and, like many Rust-Oleum products, blocks stains from bleeding through. It comes in a tintable semi-gloss sheen that repels dirt and moisture. One gallon covers up to 100 square feet.
Get the Rust-Oleum exterior paint at Amazon.
Best For Brick Or Stucco
Valspar Masonry, Stucco, & Brick Paint
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Acrylic latex
- Coverage: 90 to 130 square feet per gallon
- Colorways: Tintable
What We Like
- Tintable acrylic latex-based formula
- Weather-resistant formula resists cracking and peeling
- Provides an ultraflat finish that hides imperfections
What We Don’t Like
- Contains VOCs
Latex-based Valspar Duramax Flat Masonry, Stucco, and Brick paint dries to an ultraflat finish, making surface imperfections on brick virtually unnoticeable. The paint contains elastomers to help resist cracking and peeling. It’s available in a 5-gallon bucket (enough to cover up to 650 square feet) and can be applied by brush, roller, or sprayer.
Duramax contains FlexShield365 technology designed to increase its resistance to weather extremes, such as high winds and driving rain, while offering a measure of mold and mildew resistance. This house paint is a 100 percent acrylic latex formulation, effectively covering hairline cracks in existing paint for a smooth surface look. It comes in a 1-gallon tintable can of exterior white, which can cover up to 130 square feet.
Get the Valspar exterior paint at Lowe’s.
Best For Wood Siding
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint
Photo: sherwin-williams.com
Product Specs
- Type: Acrylic latex
- Coverage: 250 to 300 square feet per gallon
- Colorways: 1,000+
What We Like
- Low-VOC formula
- Flat finish hides imperfections
- Mildew-resistant formula
- Self-priming formula is easy to apply
What We Don’t Like
- Materials and grime may get stuck to the paint, causing imperfections
Available from Sherwin-Williams, Emerald exterior acrylic latex paint resists blistering and peeling and provides a high-hiding flat finish to conceal imperfections on a home’s siding. The low-VOC house paint contains mildew-resistant additives and mildewcide, which is well suited for humid areas.
Sherwin-Williams’ Emerald Exterior is a self-priming paint that produces a smooth, flat coat and does not require a separate primer application. One gallon of the Sherwin-Williams Emerald paint can cover up to 300 square feet and provide a strong, resilient surface that discourages dirt. The paint is easy to apply by brush, roller, or sprayer.
Best For Porch Floors
Behr Premium Low-Lustre Porch & Patio Floor Paint
Photo: homedepot.com
Product Specs
- Type: Acrylic latex
- Coverage: 200 to 400 square feet per gallon
- Colorways: 82
What We Like
- Offers a tough, low-luster finish that resists mold and mildew
- Provides UV and fade resistance
- Quick-drying formula is available in 82 exterior colors
What We Don’t Like
- Contains VOCs
Porch and patio floors see a lot of traffic and need tough color retention to withstand it. Behr Premium Low-Lustre Porch & Patio Floor paint fills the bill without scuffing, cracking, peeling, or wearing down underfoot. The paint contains a mildewcide to help prevent mold and mildew from forming and is suitable for use on concrete and wood surfaces. The house paint is also UV- and fade-resistant.
This premium porch paint provides a strong, low-luster finish, ideal for most home porch applications. One gallon can cover up to 400 square feet, and the paint comes in 82 traditional colors. Behr Premium dries to the touch within 1 hour in temperate weather, and a second coat can be applied after 4 to 6 hours.
Get the Behr exterior paint at The Home Depot or Behr.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing an Exterior Paint
A home’s exterior is the foundation for creating pleasant curb appeal, which makes choosing the right exterior paint essential. The best exterior paints stand up to all types of weather conditions, resist moisture, and protect wood surfaces while providing a low-maintenance finish. No matter the outdoor project, consider the following factors when purchasing paint.
Durability
Top-of-the-line latex and acrylic paints usually contain higher-quality ingredients, such as more acrylic solids and pigments. They’re often thicker and more viscous (sticky) than lower-quality paints. This does not hold true, however, for oil-based paints, which are typically thinner and runnier. In general, oil-based paints are more durable than acrylic or latex paints but tend to yellow more quickly. Also, due to their high VOC levels (see the Low VOCs section below), they’re becoming less popular. The quality of acrylic and latex paints has dramatically improved in the past few decades.
Durability also relates to the number of coats of paint applied, with more coats rendering a more durable surface. Well-mixed paint also affects durability since ingredients can settle to the bottom of the can over time. If the paint has been purchased a while ago, stir it thoroughly before use. Also, applying paint with a paint roller or brush instead of a sprayer can leave a thicker, more durable coating on a surface.
Sheen is also an indicator of durability. The higher the gloss, the more washable and durable the paint. Paint finishes range from a low-sheen eggshell finish to a high-gloss enamel for trim or exterior furniture. Be aware, however, that high-gloss sheens or finishes will show flaws in the surface, such as rough patches, whereas flat or matte sheens can help camouflage minor imperfections.
Low VOCs
Chemicals and solvents found in paint products can emit toxic fumes known as VOCs. Carbon-containing substances create noxious fumes during the painting process. These compounds have long been added to oil-based paints to improve their hardness and increase drying time. Many acrylic and latex paints also contain VOCs to a lesser degree, although the trend is toward reducing or eliminating the compounds to offer a healthier painting experience.
These malodorous fumes can cause headaches and nausea if inhaled. While these fumes are less likely to bother users when painting outdoors, they may still wish to choose a paint labeled as “Low-VOC” or “Zero-VOC.” Of the two types of exterior paints—oil and latex—oil paint is higher in VOCs. The amount of allowable VOCs varies by state, but generally, a “Low-VOC” label indicates the paint contains fewer than 50 grams of VOCs per liter. Those seeking minimal fumes will want to look for no-VOC or zero-VOC paint, which contains fewer than 5 grams per liter.
Dry Time
Different paints have different dry times, and waiting until the first coat is dry before applying a second coat is key to achieving a quality finish. Most latex paints dry to the touch within a couple of hours, and a second coat can be applied in 4 to 6 hours. Oil paint, however, dries to the touch in 6 to 8 hours and may require up to 24 hours before a second coat can be applied. Dry times are usually listed on the paint can.
While paint may feel dry to the touch in a few hours and even be ready for a second coat, it may not be cured. When the paint’s liquid ingredients have evaporated, the paint is completely cured. Cure time varies by paint, with latex and acrylic taking a couple of weeks and oil-based paint taking up to a month to cure. Cure time can be slower in humid and cold conditions and faster when the temperature is above 50 degrees and the humi