Best Fade Resistant Exterior Paint Today
Well, we've come full circle, enjoying best fade resistant exterior paints today. If you painted your exterior siding say 10 years ago, those paints could have lost it's original color by 70%!
Not today, with newer paints on the market, having more fade resistant properties. Cutting to the chase, your best fade resistant paints are those being exterior satin, lifetime coatings.
This could not be more true with older paints having theoretically faded out, allowing newer improved ones taking their place, as shown above. Having dried out, looking splotchy is an understatement. Best paints today resisting fade, as it consistently protects wood siding & trim.
BEHR™ Paint was the first to have an upper level exterior paint, claiming to resist fade a couple years ago, 2017. However, it wasn't long before most other major paint brands started jumping on the bandwagon mentioning this improved characteristic.
This is Great News in the house painting sector, knowing what paint fade is, how it is caused, and what you can do about it.
- What is paint fade
- How is it caused
- What you can do about it
We are speaking of 100% Acrylic latex emulsion paints in this article. Alkaid oil based paints have a tendency fading out even quicker than acrylics.
Understanding paint fade is the first sign you need to repaint your exterior. Paint drying out, loosing it's luster, pliable and elasticity. The more paint caulks out, feeling like a school caulk-board, it's already lost 50% of it's original color, & time to repaint.
In the past, exterior paint coatings held it's elasticity an average of 7 to 10 years, before it was time to repaint. Not today, with paint's technology. Not only advancing it's chemical makeup, reducing fade much better, but even adding primers into it's formulation. A win-win combination, on both sides of the coin.
You win on both areas of exterior paint today. Having a more fade proof paint, automatically having primers built into it's mixture at the same time.
Causes of paint fade is UV rays from the sun. Of course in direct sunlight, temperatures vary widely also, having effects over several years. East & West facing sides have most exposure to direct sunlight. Which is where we see most fade taking place.
What was suggested years ago, was shielding these sides, planting shade trees, reducing the effects of paint fading.
Knowing it'd be very hard to shield all of your exterior surfaces from the sun, unless your home is built underground, or having very tall trees around your home.
Combating paint fade today is much more possible, making it the easiest, by choosing a more fade resistant paint.
Below, we will discuss best exterior paints for wood siding, having these qualities. Giving you our ultimate choice, we enjoy using. Knowing fade is not going to be an issue down the road. Keeping it's original paint condition the longest.
Does Exterior Paint Fade?
Many people who are in the market, having their homes painted outside wonder if exterior paint fades. This is a great question for those who touch up small areas 5+ years later, which reminds me of an experience several years ago.
We painted several homes one particular sub-division back in 2002. One of those clients was a single mom, first name Cathy. Used a premium exterior paint, painting siding a lighter color, trim a darker greenish color.
Cathy's home had wood windows, and 1'' X 4'' wood trim around them. Doing all of our prep needed, scraping, filling, sanding, also priming, before applying 2 complete coats.
Becoming a favorite client, also painting her interior a couple years later. We even sat a couple times out on back deck during the 6 years knowing her, having coffee after working hours.
By 2008, when the sub-prime mortgage fiasco hit, Cathy's job was affected, needing to sell her home. Called us back, asking to freshen up her exterior, having a fresh new look around windows. Just wanted to spot paint where needed, which we were happy to do.
As we attempted to touch up chosen areas, using same left-over paint still good, did not match even close, looking worse than not touching up at all.
Gradually taking place during the 5 -6 years was Cathy's darker green trim faded. Discoloring so much, from the exact paint we used few years before. Needing to completely repaint her home, before putting on the market.
So yes, exterior paint fades, even more so years ago. Not today, with our current paint technology. Now including UV protection with every premium exterior paint, resisting fade even more.
What you may have used or experienced 15 - 20 years ago, is not even close to what is available today.
Before, exterior paints would fade average 7% per year in direct sun. Today, best exterior paints may only fade 1 to 3% per year. No outside paint is fade proof, no paint warranties will include this, but are less likely to fade near as much as they historically did.
What Is The Most Durable Exterior Paint For Wood?
- Not showing signs of age
- Keeping it's sheen, gloss
- Having UV protection
- High bonding properties
- Less fading from original color
- Most elasticity, elongation, & tensile strength
Most durable exterior paints on the market today, not only seals & protects, but lasts much longer. Giving the fact an exterior paint will last longer, one has to conclude that paint's structure is not breaking down, showing signs of age.
As paint ages, it looses it's sheen, gloss, and original color it once had. I guess just like most things that ages over time. Especially in direct sunlight. Similar to putting on sunscreen PF50 before going out on the lake, or Colorado Ski Slopes. Much needs protection from harmful sun's ultra violet rays. Paints having these safeguards from the sun, will protect exterior wood the longest.
Another telltail sign is seeing nail heads sinking further into siding! Most of the time when nails are sunken in, paint has faded out, allowing moisture into nail shafts, allowing moisture inside manufactured siding. Which causes by the way, swelling. If this is happening, by all means put a fresh coat of paint on, sealing. Really should put a small dab of exterior Spackle in deeper holes, smoothing out, before painting. This technique not only looks better, but seals properly. Could write a book on paint fade, but will leave that to the scientists.
Right, just because a paint may not be peeling up, it may not be as durable, than one that is also staying down, keeping it's finish, retaining it's original color too.
Most durable paints also keep it's elasticity, elongation, and tensile strength. Today best exterior paint 2019, has all of these attributes. Not only having primers built in, only needing to apply one even coat, but having UV protection, being much better fade resistant.
Which Paint Sheen Is Best For My Exterior
If this looks like your house, best using Lifetime paint, having primer built-in. Bare wood needs primer on entire wood siding, so it doesn't look like this again, even being more fade resistant.
This is a great question determining which best type finish or sheen should you choose for your exterior. Having a direct impact with fade. Telling our clients "You want a paint that repels water, than soaking in". As paint ages, it looses it's luster, it's shine, or in paint terms, sheen. But if you're thinking using the highest gloss finish, think again.
Purchasing the highest gloss is a little much, looking out of place. Not wanting a home's paint looking like a flying saucer or a Sonic hamburger stand. But having an exterior paint with no gloss or reflection is flat, looking like a dry watering hole. Flat paints are not near as weatherproofing than one's with a glossier finish.
Should I Use Flat Or Satin Exterior Paint?
So, choosing one in between, middle of the road, Satin finish is most popular around the US, even where you live. Satin finish not too glossy, nor not flat. Satin exterior finishes introduced in 1999, having astounding results, especially now, with paints being more fade resistant.
You will enjoy using Satin exterior finishes for your exterior, and your exterior will thank you too!
Best fade resistant paints are exterior satin, Lifetime Paints
Used BEHR™ Marquee® twice on two different occasions, picking up at Home Depot™, watching it being shook up in paint shaker. Within an hour or so after paint being shook up, a thick heavy paint clog at bottom of 5 gallon bucket was apparent. Clogged up airless wire filter, causing a real headache with a load of paint solids left in bucket.
Realizing all paint should be on the home's exterior, not some contents left in bucket, discarding, have not used Marquee® anymore. Yes, my paint representative was notified, comping me additional product, but did not feel most paint solids were distributed on exterior.
Developed for discriminating painters who want the very best exterior paint for their home, BEHR MARQUEE™ Exterior Paint & Primer is Behr's most advanced paint & primer, delivering exceptional dirt resistance and advanced fade protection. This innovative paint was developed to provide early rain resistance, so it has the ability to repel rain showers as early as 60 minutes after application.
“BEHR MARQUEE Exterior Paint & Primer was engineered with one simple goal in mind - to keep your home looking great long after you paint, even under the most severe weather conditions,” said Scott Richards, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Behr Process Corporation. “We harnessed the most advanced technology to offer Behr’s best exterior paint ever.”
The innovative technology delivers a tough, non-stick surface that helps resist dirt build up along with advanced UV protection and exceptional gloss protection for longer lasting, more lustrous color. The result of these two exceptional features is a paint color that stays looking great, long after the surface has been painted.
As a topcoat, BEHR MARQUEE paint’s 100 percent acrylic, less than 50 VOC formula, provides excellent hide and delivers a durable, mildew resistant finish. With its primer qualities, the product offers excellent adhesion to exterior surfaces along with the ability to block exterior stains.
Benjamin Moore™
Proprietary Color Lock® technology for richer colors and superior fade resistance
High build formula provides for for extreme hide and coverage for fewer coats
Outstanding durability against even the harshest weather conditions
Lifetime Limited Warranty
Low-temperature application to extend the painting season
Superior adhesion
Fast drying and quick re-coat times
Mildew resistant
Self-priming in most situations
Engineered with Gennex® Color Technology
View the sell sheet for more information
With Aura® limited lifetime paint warranty, this is better than no lifetime warranty at all. While some other exterior paints warrant paint failures to say 25 years, this paint has primers built into formulation, ensuring adhesion is properly served. Again, no warranty for paint fade, being first thing to notice as it ages.
Therefore, it is possible for your HOA to suggest repainting a faded out home's exterior, even though paint is not cracking, chipping, or peeling away. This is most common reason requesting a new exterior paint job, because of fade, also limited lifetime paint warranties.
PPG™
Product Details
TIMELESS® Exterior Paint + Primer is formulated with our newest innovations and technology providing complete one coat* hide, coverage and durability. With PPG TIMELESS® UV-Protect Technology, you get one coat* coverage in 1,000 colors and the best resistance to extreme weather.** The tough finish provides exceptional resistance to chipping, flaking and cracking and provides a mold, mildew and algae resistant coating.
Features:
Complete One Coat Hide & Coverage*
Exceptional Resistance to Chipping, Flaking & Cracking
Excellent Fade Resistance
Only time we've used Timeless®, experience with paint itself was great. Very good coverage, laying out extremely smooth, using a satin sheen, with choice of colors. Reason we don't use more PPG™ is just not near as convenient, having only a limited number of paint stores in Denver.
Know PPG™ is world's largest paint manufacture, including Glidden®, also Sikken's® brands.
Valspar™
FlexShield™ 365 Technology - year-round resistance to cracking and peeling
High-hiding paint + primer
Maximum weather protection
Maximum resistance against mold, mildew and algae on the finish
Excellent fade resistance
Excellent hiding
Flexible finish won't crack or peel
Low-temp application
100% acrylic latex
Lifetime warranty
Sherwin-Williams™
On the flip-side, have used Sherwin-Williams™ Emerald® several times. Each use of Emerald® has been exciting, just as the surface getting receiving it. Extremely smooth, satin sheen, laying on evenly. Glistens in the sun, repelling anything thrown it's direction, being most fade resistant.
With so much behind-the-scenes field support, convenient locations in every town, also very knowledgeable staff, you'd be best served choosing Sherwin-Williams™ also.
BEHR™, Sherwin-Williams™, Benjamin Moore™, PPG™, Valspar™, all have their own version of lifetime paints. No need using Mineral Spirits, as all these listed are water-borne 100% Acrylic Latex paints. Experiencing greatest results using Sherwin-Williams™ Emerald®, this is our choice.
A Sherwin-Williams™ location within 10 miles anywhere you go in Denver metro area, making extremely convenient.
So my winner is Sherwin-Williams™ Emerald® without question.
Sherwin-Williams Emerald® paint and primer in one with advanced stain blocking technology delivers best-in-class overall performance. To ensure a beautiful, smooth finish and stunning color for years to come, use our finest paint ever. Emerald prevents stains from penetrating, offers maximum resistance to water streaking and spotting, features truly remarkable hide and covers dark colors. With exceptional coverage and washability, it’s perfect for any paint job. Now Available: Emerald Interior flat finish with excellent washability. Emerald is available in four sheens, including a technologically advanced flat finish that offers the same washability, durability and burnish resistance as the matte or glossier sheens. The flat finish hides minor drywall imperfections while providing a washable, rich look. With Emerald Interior Flat, there is no need to sacrifice performance for appearance. Matte and Satin finishes are now available in a high hiding accent base, formulated to boost hiding power and deliver truer colors in fewer coats. *This product contains agents which inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the surface of this paint film.
Summarizing Paint Fade & Best Paint For Exterior Wood Siding
Exterior Lifetime Paints are best being fade resistant. As fade is the very first thing to see, paint breaking down. Having a paint resisting fade will undoubtedly last much longer. Being best exterior paint for wood siding. Keeping it's elasticity, elongation, also tensile strength in check even longer.
Our favorite lifetime paint for exteriors is Sherwin-Williams™ Emerald®, and sure you'll enjoy it too!
Hope you've enjoyed learning more about paint fade, what causes it, & how to combat it. Like to hear from you commenting, liking, sharing, and/or pinging it.
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Thank you for this great discussion about fade. I am wondering if this same information holds true for aluminun siding? I painted it a few years ago and it is definitely faded and streaky. Will SW Emerald be a good choice for aluminun siding trim? Thanks!
Oh yes Sandra, Emerald exterior satin 100% Acrylic Latex will not only go on much more evenly, better coverage as it’s thicker, hanging more vertically before it would sag, run, or drip. Emerald not only thicker viscosity, but has much more fade resistant chemicals and primers built in. You’ll absolutely love it, never thinking of streaky paint again.
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