Top-rated exterior paints generally balance weather resistance, fade protection, and adhesion. The highest-rated premium options consistently include Sherwin-Williams Emerald, Benjamin Moore Aura, and Behr Marquee/Ultra. For the best budget and professional options, Sherwin-Williams Duration and Behr Ultra are highly recommended.
Professional painters usually use contractor-grade or pro-line paints that aren't always available at your typical home improvement store. These include: Sherwin-Williams ProMar, SuperPaint, or Emerald lines. Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec or Regal Select.
While standard exterior paint lasts 7 to 15 years, true "25-year" lifespan is only achieved using heavy-duty, ceramic-infused elastomeric coatings. Instead of repainting every decade, these professional applications expand and contract with fluctuating temperatures to prevent cracking, peeling, and moisture buildup.
The overall best exterior paints are Benjamin Moore Aura and Sherwin-Williams Emerald. These premium, 100% acrylic paints offer superior fade resistance, dirt-shedding properties, and can stretch with changing temperatures to prevent cracking and peeling.
For maximum all-weather protection, 100% acrylic latex and elastomeric paints are the top choices, offering superior resistance to UV rays, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.
The best exterior paint depends on your budget and climate, but industry experts and labs consistently rank Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams as the top overall brands for durability and coverage. For DIYers wanting excellent value, Behr is widely considered the best budget-friendly alternative.
Our verdict. Choose Sandtex for exposed walls, coastal properties, rough/textured render, and any surface with hairline cracks. Its flexibility and fungicide resistance are genuinely superior in harsh conditions. Choose Dulux Weathershield for smooth render, recoats, colour-critical jobs, and sheltered walls.
The top five paint brands widely recognized for quality, durability, and color selection are Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, PPG, and Valspar. Whether you are a DIYer tackling a weekend project or hiring professional painters, these brands offer the best balance of coverage and long-lasting finishes.
Key Takeaways. High-quality 100% acrylic latex paints like Sherwin-Williams Duration and Rhino Shield offer the best protection against fading, cracking, and peeling. These brands are known for their durability in harsh weather conditions.
High-quality exterior paints come with a price tag to match for good reason. These paints usually have a much higher quantity of pigment in every can. In water-based paints you can expect to see superior types of resins being used, like 100% acrylic instead of a vinyl-acrylic blend.
Yes, you can paint over existing exterior paint. For long-lasting results, the existing paint must be in good condition, properly cleaned, scraped of any peeling spots, and spot-primed if necessary.
The strongest exterior paints are 100% acrylic formulations that feature built-in primer, UV blockers, and self-cleaning or flexible technologies. Top-tier options like Sherwin-Williams Emerald and Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior stand out for durability, fade resistance, and peeling prevention.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
There is no single "number one" paint brand, as the top pick depends on whether you prioritize professional quality, overall sales, or ease of purchase. The three leading brands in the US excel in different categories:
When painting contractors seek out quality paint for their jobs, they often choose Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams – two of the best selling brands on the market. Professional painters the world over have used these paints to great success for many years.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
The best exterior house paint depends on your climate and budget, but industry professionals and consumer tests consistently rank Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Behr as the top brands. For most homes, high-quality 100% acrylic latex is the gold standard because it resists fading and expands/contracts with temperature changes.
Key Points
Spraying exterior paint is generally better for speed and achieving a smooth, modern finish on large, uniform surfaces. However, brushing (or rolling) is superior for durability, as it forces paint deeper into pores for better adhesion and coverage. The "best" approach is often a hybrid: spray for speed, then immediately back-brush/roll to ensure the paint adheres well.
The biggest paint companies in the world include Sherwin-Williams, PPG Industries, AkzoNobel, Nippon Paint, RPM International, Axalta, BASF, Asian Paints, Kansai Paint, and Jotun.
1. Behr. Behr is a favorite among DIY homeowners due to its availability at Home Depot and its reliable performance. Behr's Premium Plus and Marquee lines are praised for their strong coverage and reasonable price point.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Sandtex is a highly-rated, professional-grade exterior paint known for its durability, weather resistance, and signature 15-to-20-year product guarantees. DIYers and professional decorators highly praise its ease of application, smooth coverage, and self-cleaning technology, though some note it comes at a premium price point.
October has many warm dry sunny days and although it does record the highest( not by much) average monthly rainfall, the rain is usually followed by windy autumn weather to dry things out quickly. It is therefore alright to paint outside in October. Just beware the cold nights.
The "best" masonry paint depends on your specific surface (brick, stucco, or concrete) and climate. Top-rated formulas prioritize breathability, crack bridging, and long-term moisture resistance. Top options range from high-tech specialty finishes to widely available elastomeric and acrylic coatings.