Home & Outdoor
Choosing Paint Finish for Exterior Surfaces
The finish affects durability and how flaws show. Here is a practical guide to matching sheen to each exterior surface.
Flat hides, satin protects
Flat finish hides imperfections on siding but is harder to clean. Satin stands up better to weather and washes.
Many homes use a satin or low-sheen on the body and reserve flatter finishes for low-wear areas.
Trim and doors take more abuse
Higher-traffic trim, doors, and railings benefit from a semigloss that resists scuffs and is easy to wipe.
Gloss shows surface flaws, so the prep has to be solid before a shiny finish goes on.
Match the product to the surface
Siding, stucco, and metal each take different formulations. The right product for the substrate outlasts a premium paint used wrong.
Ask the painter for the recommended product per surface rather than one bucket for everything.
Featured directory
Find what you need through our directory for exterior paint and house painting (opens in a new tab). exteriorhousepaintingservices.com is part of the Directory Holdings portfolio.