Top 5 Best Exterior Paints
What is the best exterior paint that lasts the longest? We are listing our 5 best exterior paints.
Understanding the composition of house paint and having daily field experience gives us the unique ability to experience outstanding performing house paints. Our exterior paint evaluations will highlight application, coverage, durability, versatility, and a few other notable mentions.
#5
Best Overall: Sherwin-Williams Latitude
In terms of binders and consistency, Latitude is much improved from Resilience. But make no mistake, SW Latitude deems a few application penalties.
While the ability to brush Latitude on large surfaces such as siding has greatly improved over its counterparts, it also loses its leaching resistance.
If it rains directly after the paint has dried when using a dark color, you may experience water marks referred to as surfactant leaching.
Otherwise, SW Latitude provides great hide and is ideal for painting exterior siding and brick while using medium base colors.
Using this product during the humid summer months is a must. Its resistance and ability to bond during extreme humidity are simply impressive. Latitude is one of the most versatile exterior house paints.
#4
Best Oxidation Resistance: Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior
Emerald introduced as an exterior zero VOC paint was a bold move for SW; frankly, the need was not there. Since then, the VOC is no longer the focus and, in many ways, is a lower pigment replica of Duration.
SW exterior paints are known to dry tacky, and thicker paints are notorious for dragging during application. Sherwin-Williams Emerald exterior may suffer from drag, but the sticky paint film has been eliminated.
Sherwin-Williams has made a conscientious effort to listen to exterior painter’s feedback, but Emerald does not level well and is nothing like its first formulation.
But this is an extremely good product that resists paint oxidation for longer. Even after the reformulation, it’s easily one of the best exterior paintings Sherwin-Williams offers.
#3
Best High-Build Coating: Benjamin Moore Regal Exterior
Benjamin Moore Regal Select is a premium high-build paint coating and excels at several paint applications. This high-build formula provides the best coverage of any exterior paint we have used. While reformulations have decreased its hide, it remains one of the best covering paints on this list.
Benjamin Moore Regal is also the best exterior paint for brushing siding, leaving virtually no brush strokes or lap marks and leveling closely to a sprayed finish. Brushed columns and doors look smooth and uniform.
Adhesion properties are increased, but cure times are not. This product is not recommended in conditions where the humidity exceeds 60 percent or the temperature is under 55 degrees. Regal is a high-build exterior paint that can be finicky, but under the right conditions, this paint will not disappoint.
#2
Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior
SW Duration was once known for its elastomeric-like coating. Some exterior painters didn’t like the learning curve during application. Since its inception, the product is now easier to apply but consequently is not as thick.
Sherwin-Williams still promotes the application of 7 mils thick wet and 4 mils dry. Since the latest reformulation, we have found it nearly impossible to reach these specifications. However, it’s still a well above-average product.
Duration is great for rough surfaces and exterior trim. It also offers great adhesion during gutter and downspout applications.
The problem of dripping and running occurs under cold or humid conditions, and this is why this product is only a contender holding the #2 position. But this continues to be our go-to exterior trim paint for the price.
#1
Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior
The new king is here! The binders found in Benjamin Aura are mostly acrylic. Some products are labeled acrylic while still containing high amounts of vinyl, but not this one.
Like most exterior paint that contains high amounts of acrylic – by comparison – Aura has not always been the most user-friendly product. Plus, it’s now the thickest paint we have ever used on any exterior house painting surface.
After getting used to the application learning curve and constantly cleaning brushes when painting in the sun, these small inconveniences don’t trump the advantages of this product’s coverage.
And looking at the finished coat is just as rewarding as the coverage. Aura is a very durable product. In terms of durability, the new Benjamin Moore Aura exterior paint may be the best exterior paint we have seen!
Even when using the old Aura formula, viewing some of our exterior projects that date back over 5 years still looks new. No loss of luster, cracking, fade, or any other signs of failure were present. How should this set your expectations for this product? I guess time will tell!
Benjamin Moore Aura is especially great on door and window applications. It also offers the best color retention of any product we have used. Benjamin Moore Aura is now even thicker and really durable. For this reason, we rate Benjamin Moore Aura as the best exterior house paint.
