Sheen for Exterior House Paint

[The Critic]

We're starting an exterior repaint of our house. As part of this project we will also be replacing some of the T1-11 wood siding.

I painted a section of the most-weathered siding using Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Satin. Although this demonstrates a worse-case scenario, I was a bit surprised by how glossy it is:

I looked up the gloss/sheen ratings for Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams products. I was surprised to learn that Aura Exterior Satin is significantly more glossy than Sherwin Williams Emerald Rain Refresh in Satin.

https://images.sherwin-williams.com/content_images/sw-pdf-sheen-gloss-guide.pdf
https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/assets/stage/datasheets/TDS_0631/N631_TDS_US.pdf
https://media.benjaminmoore.com/Web...tasheets/TDS_0634/20180802 634 TDS US OKF.pdf

Although longevity is a top priority for me, I wonder if Low Lustre would be a better compromise, just for the sake of appearance. Does anyone know if there's a significant durability advantage with Satin over Low Lustre?

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I always go with the highest sheen here in Kansas. Hot weather does a job on the sheen anyway. Used to use Glidden Gel flo, but it is probably not available anymore., and formula changed years ago anyway. I would go with benjamin Moore as the Sherwin williams HOA requirement (10 yr paint) lasted only 5 yrs on daughter's house in Wichita.

 

[slo town]

I painted my house 17 or 18 years ago using Sherwin Williams Emerald flat on everything except entry doors and jams. Two coats on the exterior walls, eves, and facia boards. Paint remains perfect, but my prep work was thorough and methodical. I never liked the semi-gloss or satin look on exterior walls.

Scott

 

[dishdude]

As mentioned, the sheen will quickly wear off. From desert living, I've learned paint on wood siding doesn't last long - about 5 years. You'll get 3x the life on stucco.

 

[bruce381]

Sherwin willams rain refresh satin really works dirt washes off with just rain or a hose.

 

[Pablo]

Here sheen is a personal preference really. Flat looks blah shiny looks phony. Our new paint is hair too shiny for me but I know it will dull with time

 

[KGMtech]

Behr Exterior Satin has been my choice for over 30 years.

 

[DCDG]

I painted my house 17 or 18 years ago using Sherwin Williams Emerald flat on everything except entry doors and jams. Two coats on the exterior walls, eves, and facia boards. Paint remains perfect, but my prep work was thorough and methodical. I never liked the semi-gloss or satin look on exterior walls.

Scott

View attachment 345876

Let me know when you're selling. Beautiful home.

 

[slo town]

Let me know when you're selling. Beautiful home.

That's very nice. Thank you!

It's smack dab in the middle of the Central Coast Wine Country. It's on a one acre lot. I landscaped the backyard such that it looks like a park. It's really beautiful. The house and landscaping didn't look this way when we bought it 21 year ago! It was a mess both inside and out. I've done all the work myself, inside and out, everything.

Scott