There is nothing like a quality paint job on an exterior to add visual appeal, protection and value to the home.  Painting a home’s exterior takes time and consideration, particularly when it comes to choosing outdoor paint.  It is not just the color that needs careful consideration.  The quality of the outdoor paint will make a substantial difference in its durability and its ability to keep the color fresh and new-looking after several years of exposure to the elements.  Homeowners in harsh and extreme weather conditions such as in the New England states must pay particular attention to the quality of the exterior paint.

When it comes to outdoor paint prices, it is a bad decision to purchase the cheapest paint available, even if the color is perfect.  The pricier paint is actually formulated differently than the cheap brands.  The higher price is due to the cost of the premium ingredients used in manufacturing the paint.

Any home improvement store, large or small, will offer a massive array of outdoor paint colors.  The brands they stock will differ, however.  Some will offer Behr or Olympic; others Valspar, Glidden or Dutch Boy.  Sherwin-Williams has its own chain of retail stores.  Following are the top three outdoor paint brands used and recommended by professional painting contractors.

I just want to make a clear indication that these remarks are only a matter of our own opinions and not off of facts from the manufacturers.

Sherwin-Williams Duration

This brand is the most highly recommended paint of professional home remodeling contractors.  Duration is their top-of-the-line.  Contractors prefer it, even though it is a bit pricey with prices ranging from $60 per gallon and lower, the quality of its one-coat coverage and excellent formulation is unmatchable.  The cost per gallon is definitely offset by the savings in labor and quantity of paint required for the job. I’ll have you agree with me on a couple details:

• Does it make sense to save time and paint once? Yes.
• Would you save money in the end because you don’t have to do multiple coatings? Yes, because multiple coatings means more paint, which equals more money.
• Do you want your home to look nice? Well, duh!

The solution is to simply purchase a higher quality paint that will out-perform your expectations and give you that dreamy look you’ve been looking for.

Homeowners in New England with its extreme climate can turn to the professionals at United Home Experts who highly recommend and use Sherwin-Williams outdoor paint for all the reasons mentioned here.

Benjamin Moore Aura

Benjamin Moore’s answer to Sherwin-Williams Duration is its Aura line of paint. These two would be close picks of professional painting contractors if it were not for the price difference.

Valspar DuraMax

It is a far less expensive exterior paint at $33 to $35 per gallon. It claims to be self-priming and is said that it requires only one coat for good coverage. Some homeowners give Valspar DuraMax a high rating, though most professional home remodeling contractors shy away from the big box house brands. In my own experience of painting my own home and many relatives’ homes, many of these lower priced paints do not perform well enough to meet my expectations and require multiple coatings.

Do not be fooled by the price; expensive paints are worth their salt because they are genuinely higher quality, so if the price seems too low to be true, it is almost certain that the quality has suffered.

It must be noted that Sherwin-Williams Duration and Benjamin Moore’s Aura are the top-of-the-line paint formulations for both paint manufacturers, with Sherwin-Williams offering excellent quality at a more competitive price than Benjamin Moore.  The companies also offer a range of quality paints at many price levels.

Homeowners thinking about repainting the exterior of their homes should bear all these facts in mind.  It does appear that the more expensive paint can actually saves them money in the long run.  Whether handling a massive exterior paint job themselves or hiring a contractor to get the job done, it would be wise to seek the advice of professionals like those at United Home Experts. For our main painting page, click here!