Listed below is a quick explanation for when to use a specific paint finish on the exterior of your home or business.  When choosing an exterior paint finish, always keep in mind that a specific finish has a designed use on specific substrates.  Always read the supplier vendor product data sheet prior to working with a product.  The exterior paint finishes are as follows:

Flat Exterior Paint Finish - This finish simplifies the look of an exterior.  It works great for painting older houses and can help hide flaws and imperfections on the walls, but is not suitable for painting high traffic surfaces like doors or windows.

• Siding

Satin Exterior Paint Finish – With its slight gloss, this finish offers the benefits of a flat finish. This is considered the most popular finish among homeowners.  It has a slight sheen that is ideal for painting walls. It really improves the look of the house and is easy to maintain by pressure washing. It works best for:

• House Trim
• Window and Window Frames
• Shutters

Gloss Exterior Paint Finish – This shiny yet durable finish is perfect for areas that require common cleaning. A Glossy finish is the toughest and the easiest to clean, but must be used sparingly. Gloss finishes, however, may highlight surface flaws. This finish is perfect for:

• Doors
• Garage doors
• Metal Substrates

High Gloss Exterior Paint Finish – This extremely hard and shiny finish provides a very smooth look, is prepared properly. Gloss finishes, however, may accentuate surface imperfections so preparation must be very thorough! This finish is excellent for:

• Front doors
• Decorative fixtures
• Accent trim

Interior and exterior paints are formulated for different functions. Interior paint dries and is much harder, less flexible and more washable than exterior paint. Paint formulated for outside use withstands sunlight and weather extremes to a much greater degree and is generally more mildew resistant.  That is just one of several reasons that you must use the specific type of paint for what it is designed for.  Make sure you understand this prior to starting an exterior painting project.