Why This Year Will be Big for Exterior House Paint
With so many people utilizing their time at home to improve their sanctuary, building and remodeling projects are moving forward with no signs of stopping.
2020 has certainly proven to be a year that has written its own rules. Now that we are well into 2021, we can all certainly say that this year is shaping up to be better.
As New England approaches the warmer months, many are ready to embark on the annual journey of freshening up their exterior home. According to cnbc.com, Pandemic-driven demand sent total 2020 home sales to the highest level since 2006.
Choosing the Right Time for Exterior Painting
Many choose to begin exterior painting projects between late spring and early fall. Here are still a few things to consider before beginning.
Deciding to paint your exterior home can be a commitment that can take up to a week or even longer. For this reason, you may want to consider the weather during that particular time.
Warm and Dry Days are the Best
Choosing a warm and dry period with little to no chance of rain is ideal. Though many of today’s current exterior paints are fast-drying, rainstorms and drastic changes in humidity can negatively affect the paint’s curing time.
Evening Temperature Change
Even though it’s exciting once the first warm spring day approaches, the evening temperatures can be cold enough to negatively affect both curing and finish integrity. Although Benjamin Moore has several premium products rated for application in temperatures as low as 35 degrees, it’s advisable in the early spring or the latter days of fall to stop painting once the temperature falls into the low 40’s. With the shorter days of early spring and fall, the temperature drops quickly.
For homeowners considering an exterior paint job, this is certainly the season to do it. Benjamin Moore Exterior Paint has proven to be among the nation’s leaders in quality house paint.
To help decide on your next exterior paint products, Richmond Hardware and Paint has listed the Top 3 Benjamin Moore Exterior House paints in three different price categories to transform the exterior of your home in 2021.
Consider the Type of Surface You’ll be Painting
First, consider the type of substrate or surface that you are painting. Usually, it will fall into either of these categories:
- Vinyl siding
- Wood
- Stucco
- Masonry
Certain paint products are more suitable for specific substrates, but the application method may sometimes vary depending on what condition it is in. If the surface you are painting doesn’t fall into these categories, contact the Richmond Hardware paint experts for further information.
For instance, many of Benjamin Moore’s exterior paints are self-priming, or paint and primer in one, on most surfaces. However, if the surface is bare wood, perhaps a bare wood that may bleed like Cedar, this would require priming with a Stain Blocking primer.
Recommended primers for this application would be Benjamin Moore’s Exterior oil Wood Primer 09400, or the High Hiding latex All-Purpose Primer 04600.
Getting Started with the Best Exterior Paint
With so many options and price points available, it can certainly get confusing on which Benjamin Moore product to choose.
Benjamin Moore offers several different quality paints with different finishes available. Even though all of Benjamin Moore’s exterior paints are mildew resistant and cover extremely well, there are certain differences between each paint grade.
Richmond Hardware and Paint in Braintree Massachusetts has listed their top 3 Benjamin Moore Exterior Paints in each price category – from Good, Better, and Best.
#3 ben® Exterior Paint
Ben Exterior House paint is a waterborne exterior paint that utilizes Benjamin Moore’s new Gennex Color Technology.
For the price-conscious consumer, this is one of the best options available.
According to Benjamin Moore’s site, it can be used on a variety of exterior surfaces such as:
- New or previously painted wood,
- Hardboard siding,
- Cured masonry,
- Unglazed brick
Though it is not labeled a self-priming product, ben Exterior provides good durability and good hide. (the Flat Finish especially) It can dry in temperatures as low as 35 degrees.
Available Finishes include:
- Flat
- Low Lustre
- Soft-Gloss
#2 Regal Select Exterior High Build
One of Benjamin Moore’s most popular and durable exterior product lines is the Regal Select High Build line. As Benjamin Moore indicates on their product specs:
“The High Build line is a premium quality, self priming, 100% acrylic latex formula engineered for optimum hide. It adheres powerfully to exterior substrates and provides advanced mildew and stain resistance.”
The high build line can also dry in temperatures as low as 35 degrees.
What Does High Build Mean?
High Build products are thicker and tend to cover much better than most other grades of paint. Another great feature is that high build products will fill small imperfections and cracks providing a smoother finish and a more uniform look.
Regal Select High Build provides greater hide and more durability than Ben Exterior, it is not surprising that the cost is priced slightly higher. For the consumer who is interested in premium quality and long-lasting results, this line of paint will not disappoint.
It can be used on a variety of exterior surfaces such as:
- wood, hardboard,
- fiber cement,
- cedar shake,
- vinyl and aluminum siding;
- unglazed brick,
- concrete, stucco,
- cinder block,
- primed metal.
This is a self priming product, 100% acrylic, and Low VOC. It provides excellent color retention even with dark colors and superior resistance to fading and is very durable. Available Paint Finishes include:
- Flat
- Low Lustre
- Soft-Gloss
#1 Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior
Benjamin Moore’s highest quality super premium exterior coating is the legendary exterior Aura. Simply the best exterior paint that Benjamin Moore has ever made.
On an interesting note, exterior Aura also produces a higher build film than the previously mentioned Regal Select High Build. Aura will help hide imperfections and cracks providing a more finished and uniform look.
Priced higher than the Regal Select Exterior high build, this exterior paint offers maximum durability, increased longevity, outstanding color retention and hide.
Its 100% acrylic composition makes for easy cleanup with a low odor.
Aura Exterior offers a fast drying time, making for an even faster recoat time, allowing you to complete projects ahead of schedule.
One of Benjamin Moore’s leading self-priming products, Aura never requires more than two coats even when covering the darkest of colors.. Available paint finishes include:
- wood
- fiber cement board
- hardboard
- vinyl and aluminum siding
- shakes
- unglazed brick
- concrete
- stucco
- cinder block
- primed metal
The entirety of Benjamin Moore’s color collection is available. Available paint finishes include:
- Flat
- Low Lustre
- Satin
- Semi-Gloss
Transform Your Home
With the Top 3 Benjamin Moore exterior paints for 2021, you’ll be able to finally transform your current home into a beautiful masterpiece adding untold value not to mention curb appeal.
For more information on Benjamin Moore’s exterior house paint ideas or exterior house paint colors, visit the talented staff at Richmond Hardware and Paint located at our showroom in Braintree, Massachusetts.