Planning - Exterior

By Sherwin Williams

A fresh coat of paint is the most inexpensive way to freshen up and protect your home's exterior. Sherwin-Williams has paints for wood, aluminum, vinyl, stucco and masonry. Thanks to our high quality coatings and applicators, even first-time painters can achieve professional-quality results.

We're here to help you through this process with easy-to-follow tips and online project planning tools.

And, with more than 3,000 neighborhood Sherwin-Williams stores across the nation, it's easy to get the paints and products you want and the friendly expert advice you appreciate.

Choosing The Right Paint

The type of paint you'll use depends on the kind of surface to be painted - wood, aluminum, vinyl, stucco or masonry - and the type of finish you want. Exterior paint is specifically formulated to provide:

•·             Color and gloss retention

•·             Flexibility to withstand expansion and contraction due to weather

•·             Mildew resistance

Latex or Oil

Exterior house paints fall into one of two categories: latex or oil (alkyd). Each has different characteristics.

Latex - Get the longest-lasting finish with the best gloss retention. Sherwin-Williams latex paints are easy to work with, dry quickly and are extremely durable. Latex paints clean up easily with soap and water.

Oil / Alkyd - Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil / alkyd-based paints excellent choices for exterior trim. Clean paint tools with mineral spirits.

Matching Paint to Surfaces

To ensure a quality paint job that will last, the paint you'll use depends on the type of surface you want to paint.

Walls - Because it's easy to work with, latex paint is an excellent choice for do-it-yourself projects. Latex paints can be applied over properly prepared wood, vinyl, aluminum and stucco.

Metal - Use either latex or oil/alkyd paint on properly primed iron or steel. You can apply latex directly on aluminum and galvanized metal. However, these metals need to be properly primed if you're using oil/alkyd-based paint.

Trim - Either latex or oil/alkyd paint is appropriate for trim. Gloss and high gloss finishes are generally your first choice, but flat or satin finishes are fine selections.

Masonry - H&C® Concrete Stains and Sealers and Loxon® Coatings are excellent for protecting and beautifying masonry and brickwork.

Selecting a Sheen

Exterior paint comes in a full range of sheens. The finish you choose will be based on the type of surface you're painting and the durability and final appearance you want to achieve.

Flat/ Matte - This finish softens the look of an exterior and helps hide surface blemishes. Flat finishes are ideal for body siding.

Satin - With its slight gloss, this finish offers the benefits of a flat finish with added cleanability. It works best for:

•·             Trim

•·             Window Frames

•·             Shutters

•·             Surfaces that need routine cleaning

Gloss - This lustrous, durable finish is perfect for areas that require frequent cleaning. Gloss finishes, however, may accentuate surface imperfections. This finish is ideal for:

•·             Doors

•·             Garage doors

•·             Decorative metal (lamp posts, metal trim)

•·             Functional metal (gutters, downspouts, railings)

•·             Accent trim

High Gloss - This extremely hard and shiny finish provides a rich, smooth luster. Gloss finishes, however, may accentuate surface imperfections. This finish is excellent for:

•·             Front (main entry) doors

•·             Decorative fixtures

•·             Accent trim