The Finish Matters When Selecting Exterior Paint

Not long ago, the choice of exterior paint was limited to a few common colors. If homeowners were looking for a texture or special finish, the paint would have to be mixed by hand at the paint store. That caused many problems when touchups were needed, and that may be why the exterior painter now has hundreds of colors, textures and finishes to choose from. To help you select the right paint for your outdoor projects, here are some paint tips.

Gloss Finish

Gloss paint dries into a shiny surface that is easy to clean but can make the outdoor project look wet. Many painters rely on gloss paint for trims around doors and windows, or to paint planter boxes and porch rails. Also, the glossy finish does catch the eye, so using it on a fence is not uncommon.

Flat Finish

Flat finish paints absorb the light rather than using a sheen to reflect the rays. Since the light is absorbed, bumps, blemishes and imperfections can be easily hidden from the casual glance, making lines and flaws disappear. Most often found in neutral tones, flat finish paints have been a popular choice by professional exterior painter companies for many years.

Satin Finish

Created as a combination of glossy and flat paints, the satin finish paint is easy to clean, has a beautiful shine and absorbs enough light to hide wall flaws. Best of all, satin paint comes in hundreds of colors, from bright red to classic eggshell. With all the premixed and mixable colors available, if you need to touch up a wall, you won’t have trouble finding the color paint you need.

Texture Finish

Textures can be created using a paint additive, but they can also come from paint sprayers or thick rollers. Your local paint stores often have sample cards or photographs of texture finishes for you to review.

When you have an outdoor project that needs paint, call an exterior painter. They can provide more detailed information on which type or texture of paint will give you the look you want.