Thinking of refreshing the exterior of your home with a new paint job? While your first thought when choosing the best exterior paint for your house might be what color you want to go with, there’s much more to consider if you want long-lasting, weather-resistant results. The type of paint you use plays a huge role in how your home looks, how long it lasts, and how well it holds up against the elements. In this blog post, we’ll share which products perform best and which ones are worth the investment, based on our professional experience with exterior painting in the Raleigh area.
In This Post
What to Consider When Choosing Exterior Paint
Before you choose a paint product, it helps to understand what actually makes one paint better than another. A few key factors can make all the difference in durability and overall finish.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- The surface you’re painting (wood, brick, siding, etc.)
- Drying time
- Overall durability
- Weather resistance
- Color longevity (how well it resists fading)
- VOC levels (for safety and environmental impact)
- Temperature requirements for application
- Your local climate and humidity levels
- Application method (spray, brush, or roller)
The biggest thing to remember is that not all paints are built for the same conditions. What works in one climate may not perform the same in another, so it’s important to find what works in your region.
Here in the Raleigh, NC area, we deal with a mix of high humidity, frequent moisture, and big temperature swings throughout the year. Summers are hot, humid, and often bring heavy rain and intense sun exposure, while winters can dip into freezing temperatures. That constant expansion and contraction from temperature changes can take a toll on your home’s exterior.
Because of this, it’s especially important to choose a paint that is:
- Moisture and mildew resistant to handle humidity and rain
- Flexible and breathable so it can expand and contract without cracking
- Fade-resistant to stand up to strong UV exposure in the summer
- Durable enough to handle seasonal wear and temperature shifts
In climates like Raleigh, higher-quality acrylic paints tend to perform best because they’re designed to handle these exact conditions.
Choosing the right product upfront can make a huge difference in how long your paint lasts and how good your home looks year after year. The last thing you want to do is have to repaint in a few years because you went with the wrong product that didn’t hold up.
Best Types of Exterior Paint for Houses
When it comes to the best types of exterior paint for houses, there are a few main options to choose from, each with its own strengths and best use cases depending on your home and environment.
Latex Paint
Latex paint is one of the most commonly used options for exterior paint, and for good reason.
Features:
- Easy to clean
- Flexible (great for expanding/contracting surfaces)
- Quick drying
- Lower VOC levels
Many homeowners choose latex paint because it’s easy to use (great for beginners and DIY painters) and performs well in most conditions.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is often considered an upgraded version of latex paint.
Features:
- Excellent durability
- Strong weather resistance
- Holds color well over time
- Great for harsh climates
If you’re looking for long-term performance, acrylic is one of the best exterior paint options available.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paints are known for their smooth finish and strong adhesion.
Features:
- Very durable
- Great for trim and detail work
- Longer drying time
These are used less often, but can still be a good option in specific situations.
Alkyd Paint
Alkyd paint is similar to oil-based paint, but it has a more modern formulation.
Features:
- Hard, durable finish
- Good for high-traffic or high-touch areas
- Strong adhesion
Limewash & Masonry Paint
Limewash and masonry coatings are designed specifically for brick, stone, and other porous surfaces. Limewash is mineral-based and soaks into the surface, creating a classic look that allows your home’s natural features to show through. Masonry is more like a full-coverage paint, covering the surface completely.
Features:
- Breathable finish that helps prevent trapped moisture
- Naturally resistant to mold and mildew
- Soft, matte, natural look
- Great for humid climates like Raleigh
If you’re working with brick or masonry, this can be a great alternative to traditional exterior paint.
If you’re considering limewash or masonry paint, learn more in this blog post.
The Best Exterior Paint Brands (Our Professional Picks)
When choosing the best exterior paint for house projects, the brand matters a lot.
At Oak City Coatings, here’s what we are consistently recommending to our clients and using for projects:
Sherwin-Williams Rain Refresh
This is hands-down one of the best exterior paint products from Sherwin-Williams.
Why we love it:
- Self-cleaning technology (every time it rains, your house gets a wash!)
- Rain helps wash away dirt, pollen, and dust
- Keeps your home looking fresh longer, even after storms
This is a game-changer for maintaining curb appeal without having to do it all yourself.
Benjamin Moore Aura
The best exterior paint from Benjamin Moore and our preferred choice is Aura.
Why we love it:
- Great color retention
- Strong durability
- Solid coverage
- Performs well in different weather conditions
If you want an exterior paint that looks amazing and lasts, these are two of the best investments you can make.
What is the Best Paint Finish for Exteriors?
A lot of people get confused between the type of paint product/formulation and the type of paint finish/sheen.
We discussed the best type of paint products/formulations above, and the next step is selecting the finish (AKA… the sheen). This is the amount of light reflected off the surface of the paint, which impacts how matte or shiny your home appears.
The most common exterior finishes include:
- Flat – Low shine, hides imperfections well
- Satin – Slight sheen, durable and easy to clean
- Gloss – High shine, very durable but highlights imperfections
For most homes, we recommend going with a satin finish for the siding and either satin or gloss for the trim.
Satin works well because it:
- Is durable without being too shiny
- Is easier to clean than flat or matte paint
- Provides a smooth, polished look
- Holds up well in different weather conditions
It’s really the happy medium between super matte and super shiny, offering a great appearance and performance.
If you want a deeper breakdown, you can check out our guide on choosing the right finish for your exterior here.
Need Help Choosing the Best Exterior Paint for Your Home?
At the end of the day, the best exterior paint for your house comes down to a combination of:
- High-quality materials
- The right type of paint for your surface
- A finish that fits your home and environment
If you want a reliable, long-lasting result, you can’t go wrong with either Sherwin-Williams Rain Refresh or Benjamin Moore Aura. Pair that with a satin finish, and you’re setting your home up for a beautiful, durable exterior that lasts for years.
Ready to hire a pro to help you with everything from paint selection to final finish?
That’s exactly what we’re here for. At Oak City Coatings, we help Raleigh homeowners choose the right products, finishes, and colors so you get results that fit your style and actually last.
Contact us today to get your next exterior project started with a free estimate.
