Best Exterior Paints for 2024
When the time comes for a homeowner to paint their home’s exterior, the decision-making process involves more than just picking a color. The vast array of paint types, each with its own set of advantages, disadvantages, and costs, adds another layer of complexity. On top of that, they are faced with the daunting task of hiring a painting contractor and deciding who to hire from a few vague proposals with very different prices. However, with proper guidance and careful consideration, choosing the right exterior paint and the correct painting contractor can be a smooth and manageable task.
2024 Exterior Paint Pricing
In this exterior paint buyer’s guide, we aim to simplify this process. We’ll delve into key considerations you need to keep in mind while selecting the best exterior paint for your property. We will discuss fair pricing and the hiring of the correct exterior paint contractor. This is practical advice given by an expert with 25 years of experience in the paint and permanent coatings business. We strive to give you actual real-world pricing that we’ve come across in the field. Keep in mind pricing will vary slightly in different parts of the country.
Types of Exterior Paints Discussed
- Stains
- Latex Paint
- Elastomeric Paint
Best Cedar Siding Exterior Stain for 2024
Semitransparent Stains Are Ideal for Wood Siding
We have used several transparent stains on cedar siding throughout the years. But we really like the look and ease of application of Olympic Elite Stain by PPG. If you currently have a semitransparent stain on your cedar siding, you should continue staining it with a transparent stain. Transparent stains penetrate the cedar siding and protect the wood from water damage, mildew, mold, and UV damage. Transparent stains will discolor with time, letting you know it’s time for a fresh coat of stain. You can expect to stain the exterior of a cedar-sided house every 3 to 5 years depending on the climate.
Why Solid Latex Stains Peel
Solid stains don’t penetrate the surface like transparent stains. Solid stains lay on the surface of the cedar siding. This will cause the solid stain to peel every 3 to 5 years, indicating it’s time to paint. Solid stains should be avoided for wood siding. If your cedar siding is currently peeling because it has a solid stain on it, and you would like to stop painting every 3 to 5 years, explore our permanent wall coating option.
The Cost of Exterior Painting Has Gone Up
Note: Professional painters are currently charging $37 to $70+ per hour, plus materials, depending on location and the scope of work. This may sound expensive, but times have changed, and McDonald’s is hiring at $20 per hour. It usually takes a crew of 3 to 4 people an average of 4 to 5 days to properly paint a home’s exterior. Avoid entering into an hourly contract. Request a total project price with all the details spelled out instead.
Lowest Price Exterior Paint Quote
Some companies’ business models revolve around one-day paint jobs. There is no way to successfully paint an exterior without power washing. So, if you’re thinking about getting a one-day paint job from the cheapest company in town, you will always get what you pay for. They will either paint over dirty walls or wet walls. You should never apply paint over dirty walls, and walls shouldn’t be painted until 24 to 48 hours after power washing takes place, depending on weather conditions.
Average Cost to Stain a 2,500 sq ft Cedar Sided Home.
The average cost to stain a cedar-sided home will range between $3.00 to $4.00 per square foot. The average price to stain a 2,500 sq ft Cedar Sided Home is $7,500 to $10,000 plus carpentry repairs. These prices assume that you will hire a painting contractor who will use the correct amount of paint on the project and will wash and prep the property correctly. You can expect to pay an additional $15 to $20 per foot for carpentry repairs. The carpentry prices above include labor and materials.
✅ Pros of Transparent Stains:
Doesn’t peel like solid stains.
Protects wood surfaces from the elements.
Allows beauty of wood to show thru.
Easy to go over again.
Great DIY Option.
❌ Cons of Transparent Stains:
Requires Re-Staining Every 3 to 5 Years.
Repeated Maintenance Expense.
1 to 2 Year Labor Warranty.
Best Acrylic Latex Exterior Paint
The Best Acrylic Latex Paint
When it comes to exterior painting, our top choice is Sherwin Williams Super Paint. This high-quality paint is designed to deliver exceptional performance and protect your home’s exterior from the harshest elements. Whether it’s freezing cold or scorching hot, Super Paint Exterior Acrylic Latex will provide a smooth application, resist fading and peeling, and offer outstanding adhesion and color retention, all thanks to its advanced acrylic resin technology.
Super Paint doesn’t just stop at basic coverage; it goes above and beyond:
- Dirt and Mildew Resistance: This paint offers a dirt-resistant and mildew-resistant coating, keeping your surfaces looking clean and fresh.
- Advanced Resin Technology: Formulated with Advanced Resin Technology, it ensures excellent adhesion, hide, and color retention, making your paint job last longer. We have seen Super Paint Easily Last 6 years On Exteriors.
- Exceptional Coverage and Durability: When you choose Super Paint, you can expect:
Super Paint is ideal for:
- Aluminum Siding
- Vinyl Siding
- Hardie Board
- Brick
- Stucco
Average Cost to Paint a 2,500 sq ft Wood Sided Home
The average cost to paint a wood-sided home with a high-grade acrylic latex paint is between $3.75 to $4.50 per square foot. Keep in mind that painting a house with latex paint will be more labor-intensive since it will typically require scraping and sanding peeling paint. Since latex paint starts to peel toward the end of its life cycle. The average price to paint a 2,500 sq ft Wood Sided Home is $9,375 to $11,250 plus carpentry repairs. These prices are assuming that you will hire a painting contractor that will use the correct amount of paint on the project and will wash and prep the property correctly. You can expect to pay $15 to $20 per foot additional for carpentry repairs. The carpentry prices above include labor and materials.
✅ Pros of Acrylic Latex Paints:
Great Two Coat Coverage.
Excellent Adhesion.
Resists Dirt and Mildew.
Can Last Up to 6 Years.
Great DIY Option.
❌ Cons of Acrylic Latex Paints:
Will Require Re-Painting Every 3 to 6 Years.
Darker Colors Fade.
Repeated Maintenance Expense.
2 Coats Recommended.
1-2 Year Labor Warranty
Average Cost to Paint Different Substrates with an Acrylic Latex Paint in 2024.
Type | Cost Per Sq. Ft. | Additional Cost |
Aluminum or metal siding | $3.75 – $4.50 | Siding Replacement |
Brick exterior | $4.75 – $6.00 | N/A |
Hardie Board Siding | $3.75 – $4.50 | Siding Replacement |
LP Smart Side | $3.75 – $4.50 | Siding Replacement |
Stucco exterior | $4.75 – $6.00 | Crack Repairs |
Vinyl siding | $3.75 – $4.50 | Siding Replacement |
Wood siding | $4.75 – $6.00 | Wood Replacement |
Best Elastomeric Stucco Paint
The Best Elastomeric Paint for Stucco and Brick in 2024
Our top choice to paint stucco and brick walls is Behr Premium Elastomeric Latex Paint. This Elastomeric Paint works great on brick and stucco exterior walls. This product is ideal for stucco properties that have developed hairline cracks. Elastomeric paints are thicker than regular latex paints and will hide cracks and help prevent future cracks. Elastomeric Paints shouldn’t be used on wood siding, metal siding, garage doors, aluminum siding, cement board siding, or vinyl siding. Elastomeric Latex Paint is designed to be primarily used on masonry, stucco, and brick walls.
Elastomeric Paint Durability
Elastomeric Paints are flexible high-build paints designed to expand & contract, bridging hairline cracks in vertical masonry surfaces. This extremely durable, mildew & dirt resistant waterproofing finish has superior elasticity & elongation properties to resist cracking. It withstands 98 mph wind-driven rain. The 100% acrylic latex formula provides a breathable film, releasing moisture that builds in walls. A good over the counter elastomeric paint should last 5 years but this depends primarily on prep work and proper application. Regardless of what of what the label on the can says this paint will not last a lifetime. There are however more durable long lasting money saving elastomeric paint alternatives. Home Shield Coating® saves YOU money by eliminating the need for costly repaints. Home Shield is ideal for Cedar Siding, Hardie Board, Aluminum Siding, Brick & Stucco and is available in any color.
Elastomeric Paint is ideal for:
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Masonry
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Stucco
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Brick
Average Cost to Paint a 2,500 sq ft Stucco Home
The average cost to paint a stucco home with a high-grade elastomeric latex paint is between $3.75 to $5.50 per square foot. It is extremely important to ensure a brick or stucco house is properly cleaned before painting. After power washing, cracks should be repaired, and the entire property should be primed before painting with an Elastomeric Paint. Painting a house with elastomeric paint will be more labor-intensive since it will typically require priming the entire house. The average price to paint a 2,500 sq ft Stucco Home is $9,375 to $13,750. These prices are assuming that you will hire a painting contractor that will use the correct amount of paint on the project and will wash and prep the property correctly. If you’re looking for an exterior paint that last over 20 years stop looking there is no such paint. To get the most durable, longest lasting exterior finish you need to look into a permanent wall coating system like Home Shield Coating® click here to schedule an Estimate .
✅ Pros of Elastomeric Latex Paints:
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Great Coverage.
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Excellent Adhesion.
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Resists Dirt and Mildew.
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Can Last Up to 5 Years.
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Hides Hairline Cracks.
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Helps Waterproof Stucco.
❌ Cons of Elastomeric Latex Paints:
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Will Require Re-Painting Every 5 to 7
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Darker Colors Fade.
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Not Suitable for All Surfaces.
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Repeated Maintenance Expense.
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A Good Primer is Recommended.
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1-2 Year Labor Warranty.
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Not A Good DIY Option.
