What’s The Best Exterior House Paint?

Devin Spahr
14 hours ago
5 min read

When your home needs a fresh coat of paint, it can be overwhelming to decide which is the best exterior house paint to go with. It might not seem like that big of a decision, but the right paint will protect one of your biggest investments for years to come. Cutting corners or choosing the cheapest option can leave your home vulnerable and could be a decision you regret down the road. With so many paint brands and lines to choose from, it really helps to do your homework so you’ll know what works best for your specific home.

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Best Exterior House Paint Brands

Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore is a great pick if you want an exterior paint that leans more to the high-end side. People like it because the color quality is hard to beat, and they totally nailed it when it comes to color options. They almost seem to be able to predict what will be the newest paint color trend. The pigments are rich and stay looking fresh even after years of abuse from the sun. It also tends to go on very smoothly, which makes the finish look clean and professional.

In terms of price, it usually lands near the top. It’s certainly not the most expensive option in the world, but it’s not a bargain brand. The good news is that you get what you pay for. Their premium exterior lines, like Aura and Regal Select, are designed to handle harsh weather, resist fading, and stay cleaner over time. They also offer more budget-friendly options that still give you the Benjamin Moore look without breaking the bank.

Sherwin-Williams

If your house has to deal with strong sun one season and pouring rain the next, Sherwin-Williams exterior paints are built for that kind of challenge. The coverage is usually great, too, so the job feels a little easier and the results look nice and even.

When it comes to cost, Sherwin-Williams gives you a range. They aren’t considered cheap, but you have a few levels to choose from depending on what you want to spend. Popular exterior lines like Duration and Emerald are known for their durability and weather resistance. There are also more affordable options like SuperPaint that still deliver dependable quality without jumping to the highest price point.

PPG Paints

PPG Paints has a great reputation in the painting world. Their exterior paints are made to stand up to weather, and they’ve got options that address durability, mildew resistance, and color retention. The finish may not always be as luxurious as the very top-tier brands, but for a lot of homes, it makes sense.

PPG tends to sit in the mid-to-upper range in terms of cost. It’s typically less expensive than the highest-end lines from brands like Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams, but still higher quality than bargain store paints. Their lines, like Manor Hall, for exteriors bring features such as fade resistance and long life, which makes them a smart choice.

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Valspar

Valspar paint is known for being reliable and fairly easy to work with. This is great if you’re doing the project yourself or just want something that will hold up without a lot of maintenance. One of the things people appreciate about Valspar is the wide variety of exterior lines. You can find paints that focus on strong weather protection, cleaner color over time, or simpler one-coat coverage. There is usually an option that fits the level of durability you need.

When it comes to cost, Valspar typically sits in the middle. It’s not the cheapest and not the most premium. That makes it a pretty comfortable pick for homeowners who want their home to look good and stay protected without going way over budget.

Rust-Oleum

Rust Oleum is a great choice when you’re working with metal or surfaces that need a little extra protection, but not the best for painting large surfaces. It’s mostly known for holding up against rust, moisture, and harsh weather, which makes it a favorite for things like garage doors, metal railings, fences, and even outdoor furniture. If your project involves a surface that can corrode or take a lot of wear, Rust Oleum gives you a tough barrier that keeps everything looking good long-term.

Dunn-Edwards

Dunn-Edwards is a popular brand in the Southwest because it handles hot, sunny climates really well. It’s designed for surfaces like stucco and concrete that you see a lot in places with strong sun. The paint holds up against fading, peeling, and cracking. A lot of people also like that the colors stay rich for a long time, even with constant UV exposure.

One thing that makes Dunn-Edwards stand out is its focus on healthier paint formulas. Many of their products are low VOC, which means they give off fewer chemical fumes. That is a nice bonus if you want a paint that’s tough on the outside but easier on the environment and the people using it.

In terms of price, Dunn-Edwards leans more on the premium side. You usually spend a bit more, but you get durability that can save you money down the road.

Best Exterior House Paint For Wood

If you’re focused on painting wood siding or trim, here are three top choices ranked and described so you can decide which fits your project best:

Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior – This is the premium pick for wood surfaces. It’s 100% acrylic, offers excellent adhesion, strong color retention, and smooth application. The investment is higher, but for a standout finish, it’s totally worth it.
Sherwin-Williams Weathershield Exterior – A very strong contender, offering high durability, especially in challenging weather. If your wood siding gets a lot of sun, moisture, or seasonal shifts, this is a reliable brand and line. Slightly more accessible than some ultra-premium choices.
Valspar Duramax Exterior – The best value pick of the three. It has many of the features you want for wood, good flexibility, strong weather resistance, at a more approachable cost. If you’re working within a tighter budget or your wood surface is in reasonable shape already, this is a smart option.

What Exterior House Paint Does Best With Heat?

When you live in a place where the summer heat never ends, your exterior paint really gets put to the test. It’s dealing with constant high heat as well as the usual expanding and shrinking that happens to siding. Out of the major brands, Sherwin-Williams typically stands out when heat is the biggest concern. Their higher-end exterior paints are designed to resist fading and peeling even when the sun is beating down day after day. Benjamin Moore is also a very good option, especially if you choose one of their highest-quality product lines. PPG and Valspar do a nice job, too, especially when you stick to their premium lines.