Paint for Exterior Walls

What paint do I need to use on an exterior wall?

You'll want to consider form and function when choosing exterior wall paint. In most cases, you'll be looking for paint which you can use to paint the exterior of your home. Most UK homes are painted with smooth masonry paint like Weathershield Smooth Masonry which provides a smooth finish and dries in quickly. Some people prefer to use textured masonry paint on their exterior walls, which is better when you're working with walls which have uneven areas and cracks.

You'll also want to consider the colour/shade of the paint. A rule of thumb for painting large surfaces outside is to avoid black. While it works on some commercial buildings, it doesn't suit most homes. When painting a home, you'll want to stick with light or "off" shades like:

• Neutrals
• Pastels
• Creams
• Muted Reds
• Muted Blues
• Muted Green

What paint should I use if I'm painting my garden wall?

We recommend getting an opaque of glossier paint which contains fungicide and algicide. Many people make the mistake of using interior wall paint and think it will work on garden walls. While a standard gloss does ok on walls outside, it won't be as good in preventing surface growth in an area with lots of plants.

How long do exterior paints take to dry?

We all know how unpredictable the weather in this part of the world can be, which is why it's great to find that exterior walls paints tend to be fast-acting. A best-seller like Stormshield Smooth Masonry is storm-resistant in less than 30 minutes, while Dulux Weathershield can be recoated in around 4 hours.

What do I need to get a wall ready?

Preparation is really important when painting exterior walls. As a rule of thumb, you'll always want to wash the wall and let it dry before you apply any paint. You'll also want to scrub off any growth or moss as painting over it will not prevent growth. If you haven’t already, you can get a wire brush for scrubbing here.

We also recommend getting a decent primer/undercoat, so the paint takes the wall as best as possible. Crown All-Purpose Primer works well on almost any wall. Anyone who is looking to paint a light colour/shade on their wall would want to get  Johnstone's Joncryl Water Based Primer Undercoat White as it helps give the wall the best chance possible in getting colours to shine.

Painting Exterior Wood

If you're painting outside and know you'll also be looking to put a coat on benches, tables, chairs etc., make sure you have the right exterior wood paint for the job. Wood paint is typically formulated differently to help prevent cracking and be more durable against frequent use than wall paint.

Getting off on the right foot

One quick tip before you make a purchase. If you're living in a terraced or semi-detached home, ask your neighbour if they know what type of paint was used on their exterior walls. While it is ok to have a dark shade right beside a light colour, if you were to have a high gloss against a matt/opaque home, it might not look as you hoped. Best to double-check and compare before committing.

Need help with exterior paint? Contact The Paint Shed

If you're not used to buying exterior paint and aren't sure what to get, give us a quick call on 033 3320 2369. We'll be happy to answer any questions and help find the right paint.