Narrowing things down to the perfect color for the exterior of your home is never easy. In fact, it’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make with respect to how your property is presented.

But what’s often overlooked is the importance of subsequently choosing the most appropriate type of paint for your home’s exterior. There’s a huge spectrum of exterior paint sheens to choose from, which in all instances have their own unique points of appeal.

Just as when painting indoors, personal preference plays a major role when painting outdoors.  Technically speaking, there’s no such thing as the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ exterior paint – beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.

Even so, it’s important to have at least a rudimentary knowledge and understanding of the different types of sheens available. Getting to grips with the basics will make it much easier for you to realize the vision you have in mind for your home’s exterior aesthetic.

Here’s a basic introduction to the main types of exterior paint sheens available, and how they differ from one another:

Flat Paints

First up, flat paints are those that dry to a matte finish, with no glossiness or reflectiveness whatsoever. Flat paint is the most popular choice for painting interior walls, when the aim is to create and subtle and elegant finish with little to no shine. Matte paints can be particularly great for improving the appearance of lightly damaged surfaces, as the finish naturally hides minor imperfections.

A flat finish can look fantastic outdoors, with a limitless range of colors and shades available to suit all tastes and preferences. One small disadvantage to matte paint is that it is not as easy to clean as gloss paint, but it can still be equally robust and durable. If you want to finish your home in an attractive color without the reflective properties of gloss paint, flat paint is the way to go.

Low Luster/Satin Paints

This is the category of paints that basically sits down the middle – some would say combining the best of both worlds. Satin paints are a popular choice for exterior painting as they provide a slightly glossy finish, without being too shiny or reflective.

There’s a fairly extensive spectrum of satin paints to choose from, ranging from those that are practically flat to those with a fair amount of shine. Again, it depends entirely on what kind of finish you have in mind, but satin paint is a good choice for exterior painting when looking for a beautifully balanced result.

Gloss and High-Gloss Paints

High-gloss paints are typically reserved for trim and details, as their sheen can be too extreme for covering larger services in their entirety. Glossy paint is naturally eye-catching, and can therefore be great for accentuating features, or for framing the dominant colors used elsewhere. A super-glossy surface can also be easy to clean, while creating an effective protective barrier for the surface beneath.

On the downside, applying gloss paint to even a fairly compact surface can be more difficult than it looks. Because the glossy finish naturally magnifies imperfections and blemishes, making even minor damage look worse than it actually is.  This is why high-gloss paints are usually reserved for trim, as it can be practically impossible to apply them across a large surface area and achieve a flawless finish.

Exterior Stains

Last up, another option to consider when sprucing up your home’s exterior is stain. Wood stains can be picked up with various different levels of sheen, and can also be tinted in a variety of colors to suit most tastes and preferences.  Whether looking to let the wood’s natural beauty shine through or brighten up your home with a touch of color, there’s no shortage of options to choose from.

Either way, it’s important to factor in the potentially laborious process of prepping your home’s exterior for a fresh coat of stain. It is usually necessary to strip the existing coat of paint/stain right down to the wood, before conducting the necessary repairs and applying the new product accordingly.

Call Anytime for a Quote…

At Homm CPS, we offer a comprehensive range of high-quality exterior home painting services at competitive prices. To discuss the available options, we would be delighted to provide you with an obligation-free home design visit at your convenience.

For more information on the services we provide or to discuss your requirements in more detail, contact a member of the team at Homm CPS today.