What is the best exterior paint? What finish should one use on the exterior?

Question

My home is 2200 sq ft. I will be painting the exterior of the home which is 18 years old. What is the best primer, paint and sheen to use? There are just so many options! Also, what should a bid include from a paint contractor? The ones that have come out are bidding labor only and telling me to get the paint. Is that standard?

Answer 1

i am also a contractor and the paint being extra is pretty common because they would have to add twenty percent to the paint cost to make sure they dont bid too little paint and get burned, i prefer all latex paints because of drying time and simplicity the sheen is usually a semigloss on the exterior i prefer to use Benjamin-Moore or Sherwin Williams paint just because you will have to buy less and will last longer the bid should include all materials and labor except the cost of paint and do not change colors half way through or will be costly

Answer 2

If you had just skimmed a room inside then it would be dry in a week. If you had rendered and skimmed inside then it would take 12 -18 months to properly dry out so you would put a non-vinyl emulsion on so you didn't stop the process. On an external wall you can do neither. Non-vinyl paint isn't good enough externally and regular exterior masonry paint will act as a barrier to the water and may push off and blister. Therefore, unless you want to take a chance leave it till the end of the summer to dry out. There is no primer necessary for masonry. You put three coats of proper exteriour paint on, the first one thinned a little to soak in. You never put PVA or Zsinnser on render prior to painting. You only put stabilising solution if the surface is friable (unstable). As all these things stop the emulsion soaking into your render they are not best painting practices.

Answer 3

I will recommended Benjamin Moore maybe is more expensive than others but is really good. The most durable colors are beige and warm tones like yellow or browns. Cold colors like gray or blue have a tendency to fade. Use one coat of primer and two of paints and make sure the surface to be painted don't need repairs like sealing the cracks. Flat paint is better for the exterior.

Answer 4

Glidden doesn't cover well enough, IMO
Kelly Moore is better than adequate.
Benjamin Moore applies easily, smoothly and covers very well. I am very satisfied with it.

I recommend either gloss, or satin/eggshell sheen for woodwork.
For walls, satin/eggshell or flat works well.
Flat paint has very little, if any, added resin to the paint. Gloss has the highest amount, giving it high durability and wear.

Prime using same primer as top coat paint manufactuer, except for wood. KILZ is a top quality wood primer, especially to cover any weeping knot holes.


Preparation is crucial to a long-lasting paint job.
Make sure the painter's bid includes:
1. thorough cleaning of all surfaces. Hose pressure water is good (careful with high-pressure washers which can rip off loose wood.) Under the eaves, you might even hand wash with solution of TSP and war water to remove the dirt. Rinse well.
2. patch cracks in stucco using caulk if 1/8" wide or less. Otherwise use stucco patch.
3. wood - sand to bare wood and prime using good alkyd (oil) primer such as KIL-Z. Sand any exposed or rusted nail heads. Good idea to sink the heads just below wood surface and cover with wood putty, sand & prime.
4. make sure any cracks around windows and doors are well-caulked to minimize water intrusion. Pay attention to the tops of windows and doors for sufficient caulking.
5. If you have older windows installed with putty, make sure the putty is inspected and replaced where broken, chipped or missing.

Answer 5

have your contractor specify the brand of paint to use and the quantity of the materials to be used (according to the quality you want). paint stores have swatches that you can choose from. have the materials priced yourself to compare with the bid cost. you can also inquire the prevailing cost per square meter in your area - best from a friend who just did a house painting. provide margin for the contractor's profit.

any additional area must be charged accordingly based on the original contract. put it in writing. i forgot to mention that the surface preparation works must also be priced.

happy renovating.