Best Exterior Paint with Primer

Best Exterior Paint with Primer: A Complete Guide for Long-Lasting, Beautiful Results

When it comes to painting the exterior of your home, choosing the right paint is essential for ensuring the longevity, protection, and aesthetic appeal of your property. One convenient option that has grown in popularity over the years is paint that includes a primer. Exterior paint with primer saves you time and effort by combining two essential steps priming and painting into one easy application. But with so many choices available on the market, how do you know which one is best for your project?

We will explore the benefits of using exterior paint with primer, highlight the top products in the category, and offer tips for choosing the best exterior paint with primer for your specific needs.

Why Use Exterior Paint with Primer?

Priming is an essential step when painting, particularly for exterior surfaces. Primers help to improve adhesion, enhance paint coverage, and seal porous surfaces. They also block stains and prevent the growth of mildew and mold. In many cases, using a separate primer and paint can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. This is where exterior paint with built-in primer offers an advantage:

1. Time-Saving: Combining primer and paint means you only need to apply one coat, saving you time during your painting project.
2. Cost-Effective: By using a product that combines two essential steps, you may save money on purchasing a separate primer, especially for large projects.
3. Convenience: Using a single product that combines primer and paint streamlines the process, making it easier for both DIYers and professionals to achieve a smooth, professional finish.
4. Improved Coverage: Exterior paints with built-in primers are formulated to provide excellent coverage, sealing and bonding with various surfaces like wood, brick, stucco, and vinyl.
5. Durability and Protection: These paints often provide added protection against UV rays, moisture, and mildew, which are common concerns for outdoor surfaces. The built-in primer can help the paint last longer and maintain its appearance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Exterior Paint with Primer

Not all exterior paints with primer are created equal, and the right product for your home will depend on several factors:

1. Surface Type: Consider the material you’re painting. Some paints are designed specifically for wood, while others work better on metal, brick, stucco, or vinyl.
2. Weather Conditions: If your area experiences harsh weather (such as extreme heat, humidity, or heavy rainfall), you’ll want a paint that can stand up to the elements.
3. Finish: The finish of the paint can affect the overall look of your exterior. Common finishes include matte, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Glossy finishes tend to be more durable but show imperfections, while matte finishes are more subtle and easier to touch up.
4. Color Retention: UV rays can cause fading over time, so choose a paint with excellent color retention to maintain your home’s fresh look.
5. Mildew and Mold Resistance: If you live in a humid or rainy area, it’s important to select a paint with mildew-resistant properties.
6. Ease of Application: Consider how easy the paint is to apply. Many top-rated paints offer smooth coverage with fewer coats, helping you finish your project more quickly.

Top 5 Best Exterior Paints with Primer

Here are five of the best exterior paints with primer, each chosen for its quality, durability, and ease of use:

1. Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior Paint and Primer

Best for: Overall performance and ease of use

Behr Premium Plus Ultra is a highly rated paint that combines superior durability with the added convenience of a built-in primer. This product provides exceptional adhesion and coverage for a variety of exterior surfaces, including wood, vinyl, stucco, and metal. It resists fading, cracking, and peeling, and offers mildew-resistant protection to keep your home looking fresh.

Key Features:

• Excellent adhesion and coverage
• Mildew-resistant formula
• UV protection to prevent fading
• Available in matte, satin, and semi-gloss finishes
• Easy to apply with a brush, roller, or sprayer
• Low odor, water-based formula

Why it’s great: Behr Premium Plus Ultra delivers top-notch durability and coverage, ensuring your exterior surfaces stay protected and vibrant for years. The built-in primer makes it ideal for busy homeowners looking for a time-saving solution.

2. Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint

Best for: High-performance and long-lasting protection

Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Exterior Paint is a high-performance product designed for exterior surfaces that need extra protection against the elements. It features advanced paint and primer technology that resists cracking, peeling, and fading. The formula includes a high level of mildew resistance, making it perfect for humid or rainy climates.

Key Features:

• Highly durable and resistant to cracking, peeling, and fading
• Excellent mildew resistance
• Provides a smooth, beautiful finish
• Available in satin, matte, and gloss finishes
• UV protection for color retention

Why it’s great: For those in need of a long-lasting and professional-grade finish, Sherwin-Williams Duration Home is an excellent choice. Its resistance to mildew, fading, and cracking makes it perfect for enduring harsh outdoor conditions.

3. Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Paint

Best for: Premium finish and protection

Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Paint is known for its durability and exceptional color retention. This paint is ideal for homeowners who want a luxurious, high-quality finish that will stand the test of time. It offers superior protection against the elements and resists mildew growth, ensuring your home looks great year after year.

Key Features:

• Advanced formula for superior durability
• Excellent color retention, even in direct sunlight
• Provides a smooth, professional finish
• Mildew-resistant and weather-resistant
• Available in a range of finishes (matte, satin, and semi-gloss)

Why it’s great: Benjamin Moore Aura is a premium product that offers both performance and aesthetics. If you want to invest in a high-quality paint that delivers an excellent finish with long-lasting results, this is the paint for you.

4. Valspar Duramax Exterior Paint and Primer

Best for: Moisture and mildew resistance

Valspar Duramax Exterior Paint and Primer is specifically designed to provide exceptional protection in areas exposed to moisture, such as coastal regions or areas with heavy rainfall. It features a strong mildew-resistant formula and is resistant to fading and cracking. Its versatility makes it suitable for use on multiple exterior surfaces, including siding, trim, and doors.

Key Features:

• Mildew-resistant formula
• Excellent moisture protection
• Provides long-lasting durability
• Available in satin and semi-gloss finishes
• UV-resistant for color retention

Why it’s great: Valspar Duramax is perfect for homes in areas that experience high humidity or heavy rainfall. It delivers long-lasting protection against mildew, water damage, and fading, while ensuring your exterior surfaces stay vibrant.

5. Rust-Oleum Zinsser Perma-White Exterior Paint

Best for: Mold and mildew resistance

Rust-Oleum Zinsser Perma-White is an excellent choice for exterior surfaces that are prone to mold or mildew growth. This paint is formulated with a mildew-resistant additive, making it perfect for homes in humid areas or locations with significant rainfall. It also provides excellent coverage and protection against the elements.

Key Features:

• Mildew-resistant formula
• Provides excellent coverage and a smooth finish
• UV-resistant to prevent fading
• Easy to apply and clean up (water-based)
• Available in satin and semi-gloss finishes

Why it’s great: If mildew and mold are concerns in your area, Zinsser Perma-White is an ideal option. Its mold-resistant formula ensures that your exterior surfaces stay clean and protected over time.

How to Apply Exterior Paint with Primer

Applying exterior paint with primer is relatively straightforward, but following the correct steps will help you achieve the best possible results:

1. Prepare the Surface: Clean the surface thoroughly by removing dirt, debris, mildew, and any peeling paint. You may need to sand rough areas to create a smooth surface for better adhesion.
2. Protect Surrounding Areas: Use painter’s tape and drop cloths to protect nearby plants, windows, and other surfaces from paint splatter.
3. Apply the Paint: Using a high-quality brush, roller, or sprayer, apply the paint to your exterior surfaces. Start at the top and work your way down, applying the paint in even strokes. If needed, apply a second coat after the first coat has dried.
4. Allow Proper Drying Time: Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying and curing times. Avoid applying the paint in extreme weather conditions, such as very hot or rainy days.
5. Touch Up: Once the paint has dried, inspect your work for missed spots or areas that need touch-ups.

Conclusion

Choosing the best exterior paint with primer is an essential step in maintaining your home’s curb appeal and protecting it from the elements. Whether you opt for Behr Premium Plus Ultra for all-around performance or Sherwin-Williams Duration Home for extra durability, the right paint with primer can save you time, effort, and money while providing a long-lasting, beautiful finish.

By considering the factors that matter most to you—such as surface type, weather resistance, and mildew protection—you can find the best exterior paint with primer that meets your needs and ensures your home looks great for years to come.