Exterior Paint

Exterior Paint for Every DIY Paint Project

A new coat of exterior paint can instantly transform a home and boost its curb appeal. No matter what type or color of paint you need for your do-it-yourself (DIY) paint project, we have it at Lowe’s. From quality brands, like Rust-Oleum and Krylon^®, to mildew-resistant paint, fade-resistant paint and more, we’ve got the best exterior paint, supplies and know-how to help you completely refresh your space.

Cost to Paint Your Home’s Exterior

Choosing a paint color for a house is only part of the project. You’ll also need to determine your budget. The cost to paint your home’s exterior depends on a few factors, including its size, the siding material and the condition it’s in, the type of paint you use, and any tools and materials you’ll need for prep work. If you decide to hire a professional for exterior home painting, you’ll also need to account for labor costs.

Latex vs. Oil Paint

You may be wondering what the most durable outside paint is. The durability of outdoor paint depends on the material of the surface you’re painting. For the best results, you should choose a paint that’s made for specific surfaces. For example, if you’re painting wood siding, you’ll want to select a paint that can protect it from fading and from water and moisture damage.

External paint is typically either latex or oil based. Latex paint is designed for a variety of home exteriors, including aluminum, wood, composite, stucco, brick and more. Oil paint, which dries to a hard, smooth finish after curing, is ideal for areas like porch floors, steps, metal handrails and doors. Oil-based paint is known for its extreme durability. Painting your home’s shutters? For wood shutters, stick with oil-based paint, which will adhere better to wood surfaces. For vinyl and plastic shutters, choose latex paint.

Color Inspiration

Not sure where to start when choosing colors for house paint? Try our Paint Visualizer to simplify the process. Simply upload a photo of your home and try out hundreds of different exterior house paint colors to see which ones you like best. We have a range of exterior colors for houses from premium paint brands, including Valspar^®, HGTV Home^® by Sherwin-Williams and more.

Importance of Primer

You need to use primer over old exterior paint. Exterior primer is essential in helping exterior paint adhere to the surface while providing a long-lasting finish. When covering dark or bright paint, look for a primer label that says it provides high-hide coverage. The best exterior primer to use depends on the surface you’re painting. Use an oil-based primer when covering stains or when you’re working with painted or unpainted wood. Oil-based primers also work best on metals that are prone to rust. Water-based latex primer dries faster than oil-based primer but should only be used with water-based paint. For more tips on choosing the best paint primer, check out our Exterior Paint Buying Guide.

Looking for other exterior paint colors for your home? Outside surfaces, like decks, can be painted, too — but what kind of paint do you use on a deck? For wood surfaces like decks and porches, you’ll want to make sure the paint you choose has protective qualities like fade resistance and water and moisture barriers. If your deck sees a lot of foot traffic, you’ll also want to make sure your deck paint can stand up to its frequent use. Consider paints formulated specifically for porches and other outdoor floors, like concrete patios, for your deck painting project. Along with porch and floor paint, we offer all other types of paint for every exterior surface, including epoxy primer, marine paint and more.