How To Choose Your Best Exterior Paint

Spring has officially sprung in Chicago! Now is the time to start thinking about when and how you want to repaint your home, garage and back yard structures.

First Thoughts

When it comes to painting exterior buildings, the quality of your paint is absolutely crucial to your success. One of the biggest mistakes many homeowners make is skimping on paint costs –don’t do it! Exterior success depends upon paint quality to stand up to exposure and time.Quality, durability, and color should be your top priorities. Select quality paint, to weather all that Mother Nature has in store for years to come, and the right color, to match your personal style.

Best Paint to Buy

According to Benjamin Moore, recent breakthroughs in paint technology now provide a wealth of new exterior paints and stains that are eco-friendly, low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and withstand the tests of time.

Use the following checklist when searching for the best exterior house paint to use:

• Mold & Mildew Resistance
• Environmentally Friendliness
• Resistant to Fading &Ultraviolet Radiation
• Easy Application & Clean Up

Perfect Paint Colors

A “new coat of paint” can be absolutely transforming! That’s exactly why choosing the right color can be so tough. Consider first, what colors please you the most? Of those, which would work best in an exterior environment? What color would you like to come home to every day?

Other things to consider when choosing the perfect paint color:

What goes well with the fixed elements on and around your home?

Think about the things at your house that won’t be painted, like your chimney, roof, facade, steps, driveway and sidewalks. Choosing a similar color that compliments existing stone work will promote visual continuity. Alternatively, if one of your fixed elements is strong in color, a neutral shade of paint may be the best option.

What type of landscaping do you have?

Consider choosing an exterior color that goes well with the trees, shrubbery and flowers surrounding your house. Look for house colors that what would compliment them the most.

Does your neighborhood have a color scheme?

The last thing you want to be is monochromatic to every house on the block or, stick out like a sore thumb. Shoot for creating an individual touch that fits well within your neighborhood’s scheme.

Top Takeaways

• Choose exterior paint based on the quality, not price. Look for paints that can withstand a host of weather and other exterior elements.
• Choose your colors based on personal preference, fixed elements of your home, landscaping and surrounding environment.

If you choose to work with a professional painter (highly recommended for exterior projects), examine their service records and review prior project samples before getting estimates.