More than just a structure that provides shelter, your home is an expression of your unique style and personality.
Choosing the right exterior paint finish can play an important part in creating a beautiful first impression.
The exterior wood paint finish can do more than just influence the curb appeal of your home, it can also protect it from unpredictable elements.
Finding the right exterior paint finish is a crucial step in taking care of your home.
In this guide, you’ll learn the defining aspects of each finish along with five factors to consider when deciding which one will best suit your home. Let’s dive into this colorful adventure and explore how to highlight the true charm of your cherished home.
Table of Contents
- The Importance of Choosing the Right Exterior Paint Finish
- What Is the Best Exterior Paint Finish for Wood?
- 5 Factors To Consider When Choosing the Perfect Exterior Paint Finish for Wood
- Two Brothers Painting: Portland’s Expert Exterior Painting Professionals
The Importance of Choosing the Right Exterior Paint Finish
Choosing the right exterior paint finish for your home may seem like an unnecessary complication; however, it can be a key detail that determines whether your house appears harmonious in style and easy to maintain or stands out like a sore thumb. Maintenance and beautiful, long-lasting results can be achieved by selecting the right exterior paint finish.
Choosing the wrong paint finish for your exteriors can lead to results that don’t withstand the climate or surface conditions, creating disappointment and more work for you.
After you’ve chosen the right color, don’t skip the all-important step of selecting the right finish to cast a spotlight on your favorite details. Choosing the right finish option can help turn your home into a beautiful masterpiece.
Better yet, lean on the expertise of Two Brothers Painting to choose the right exterior wood paint finish and execute the job with precision. Our experienced team has proudly served homeowners and businesses, consistently delivering high-quality interior and exterior painting services throughout the Portland Metro area for over two decades. Call us today to schedule an on-site estimate.
What Is the Best Exterior Paint Finish for Wood?
The best exterior paint finish for wood depends on what you are painting and your desired result. It is crucial to consider the look and finish you want to achieve with your exterior wood paint because different finishes will lend better to different styles, surfaces, and impressions.
The best paint for exterior wood for you will differ depending on what you want to achieve and what surface you are going to treat. So let’s take a look at each finish type, what you can expect when choosing it, and suggestions where it might work best.
Flat
Flat paint provides a matte finish that’s great for camouflaging flaws in older wood. Flat finishes reflect less than 10% of light, which gets absorbed by the surface of your home.
However, it can be very porous and susceptible to fading and mildew, which makes flat paint the least durable finish. A flat finish is not suitable for high-traffic areas like doors, windows, and floors. Flat finish is better reserved for exterior siding or cladding that won’t be exposed to harsh weather.
Egg-Shell
Eggshell finish is the most popular choice for wood thanks to its slightly lustrous finish, without being shiny. Eggshell is versatile and works on various materials, including wood, where it can add an elegant look without being too shiny or dull.
Eggshell strikes the perfect balance between durability and aesthetics. It’s more durable than flat and can withstand an occasional power wash.
Best suited for sidings like horizontal wood cladding, HardiPlank, and stucco, eggshell can hide minor imperfections but won’t do well on extremely rough or uneven surfaces.
The sheen in eggshell can also make it tricky to touch up.
Satin
Satin is a soft and gentle finish that will give you a sheen without being highly reflective. With between 25% to 40% reflectiveness, you will achieve a soft glow without feeling glossy.
Satin is durable, flexible, and resists mildew and peeling. If you have a modern or contemporary home, a satin finish will provide beautiful protection to siding and exterior trim areas, like:
- Overhangs
- Porch ceilings and trim
- Soffits
- Shutters
- Trim boards
- Eaves
- Door frames
- Window sills
While satin offers more durability than flat or eggshell finishes, satin’s sheen can magnify imperfections. Be sure your wood is in great condition or sanded, filled, and smoothed.
Semi-Gloss
Just a notch down from gloss finish is semi-gloss. Semi-gloss offers a shine without the mirror-like effect.
It’s durable and is easy to clean. Semi-gloss can withstand harsh weather conditions and excess moisture and is also great for siding and highlighting architectural details, including:
- Garage doors
- Front doors
- Accents
- Trim
- Shutters
- Window sills
Items touched frequently, such as windows and doors, will usually need a semi- or high-gloss finish to deliver the best protection.
Like satin, semi-gloss can draw attention to imperfections. Semi-gloss paint can be known to turn brittle and chip if the surface is not properly prepared before painting. Preparation steps should be carefully followed to ensure the best results. To give you an idea of what may be required when choosing a semi-gloss paint, the basics include:
- Thoroughly cleaning the surface with a degreaser or a mixture of warm water and mild detergent
- Smoothing the surface with sandpaper
- Filling any holes, cracks, or dents with wood filler
- Applying Primer
Semi-gloss may also not be the best option for painting large sections of siding.
Gloss
Gloss is the highest-gloss finish and the most reflective. This high-shine finish has a reflectiveness of 70%-90%, bringing an aesthetic, high-definition pop, and richness to your trim and architectural details, including:
- Shutters
- Front doors
- Door frames
- Handrails
Gloss finish provides superior durability and manageability as it is extremely easy to wash and maintain. It’s best to reserve the gloss finish for specific high-traffic accents to avoid looking like you’ve wrapped your entire exterior in plastic.
Gloss finishes tend to reveal more surface imperfections and can be too reflective for some tastes, so be sure to test it out first. Using a glossy finish thoughtfully can give your home a captivating, luxurious look.
However, like semi-gloss, gloss finishes require preparation and a good primer before application.
5 Factors To Consider When Choosing the Perfect Exterior Paint Finish for Wood
#1: Surface Condition
It’s important to assess the condition of your exterior wood. The surface condition can make a big difference in which wood paint will be the best choice for you.
Regardless of which exterior wood paint you choose, the wood must be healthy for the paint to perform at its best. Your wood surface should be without pith and should not exhibit any signs of:
- Fungus
- Pest infestation
- Rot
- Traverse splits in the grain
Wood can have imperfections like grains, knots, or wanes. Those imperfections can be disguised flawlessly by some finishes and accentuated more by others. If you are looking to hide your imperfections, a flat or eggshell finish can help hide them beautifully.
Additionally, you want to consider the traffic on your surface.
Will your surface remain in good condition with little touch, like the siding or a shed? In that case, a satin finish may be best. Or are you working with decking that requires a more durable solution that is water repellent? Consider choosing a satin or semi-gloss finish instead.
#2: Architectural Style
Be mindful of the architectural style of your home and how each finish can harmonize or clash with your style.
Generally, modern homes tend to look better with the shine of a semi-gloss or gloss, while more traditional homes benefit more from the subtlety of eggshell or satin.
#3: Climate
Consider the weather where you live. Your climate can play a big part in choosing the best exterior wood paint that will keep your home looking great for years to come. Also, keep in mind that wood is a flexible material. It constantly expands and contracts based on changes in temperature and humidity. Exterior wood paint must be able to flex with these natural shifts to prevent unsightly results and rotting over time.
Select a paint designed to handle your climate’s extreme conditions, like resistance to:
- Moisture
- Heat
- Ultraviolet light
- Peeling
- Cracking
Durable finishes like semi-gloss and gloss are the most flexible and protect from the most harsh weather conditions. However, many finishes can be formulated to protect from specific climates, so be sure to check the label.
#4: Maintenance
Regular maintenance will keep your exterior paint job looking great, but how much maintenance are you willing to put in? It’s essential to weigh the benefits of durability and ease of cleaning when choosing your exterior wood paint finish.
A satin or semi-gloss finish on surfaces that see frequent touching, like doors, railings, and shutters, can make wiping easier. However, flat or eggshell finishes might be best for large, untouched surfaces like siding, to maintain a uniform appearance that requires little maintenance.
Alternatively, high-gloss finishes might need more regular cleaning to keep them looking shiny and new.
#5: Application Difficulty
Some exterior wood paint finishes can be applied directly on the wood, while others will generally require a primer or preservative wood stain.
Primer is generally recommended before applying semi-gloss or gloss paint to wood, especially for new or bare wood. Gloss and semi-gloss paints have a slick surface, which can make it harder for new paint to adhere to the surface. A primer creates a coating for the paint to grab onto, ensuring better adhesion. A thorough cleaning and primer application will also help prevent stains from bleeding through and create a smoother, more even, and longer-lasting finish.
Additionally, any mistakes become more visible the glossier the paint. If you’re doing the painting yourself, consider a satin or eggshell finish for easier re-application to hide mistakes.
Would you rather leave the painting up to the pros? An exterior house painter should be able to work with any finish you choose. Why not let the Portland painting experts at Two Brothers Painting tackle the job for you?
Two Brothers Painting: Portland’s Expert Exterior Painting Professionals
For more than 20 years, Two Brothers Painting has continued to deliver exceptional service and top-quality results for homeowners and businesses throughout Portland.
We’ve got the experience needed to help you choose the best exterior wood paint finish for your home for beautiful, easy-to-maintain, and long-lasting results.
At Two Brothers Painting, most of our work comes from repeat clients and referrals. That’s because every project is guided by one simple goal: to provide a seamless experience that earns your trust and future business. Trained in the latest techniques, safety standards, and product knowledge, our skilled technicians are committed to excellence.
At the heart of our business is a desire to make a difference — one beautifully painted home at a time. We’re ready for your home to be next. Schedule an on-site estimate with us today.