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

 

[DCDG]

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

It sure does show your dedication and love for the home. I put lots of love and labor into my 1st home but never looked at it as a chore or work it’s was the love to make it my own

 

[slo town]

It sure does show your dedication and love for the home. I put lots of love and labor into my 1st home but never looked at it as a chore or work it’s was the love to make it my own

Like it was for you, it was a labor of love. Sue and I have been blessed and have owned four beautiful homes in our 49 year marriage, but this one is by far our favorite. We've been in this house 22 years. It's not just the house, it's the area, the weather!, the kink in the road on our street, our neighbors, the winery that's a short walk from our house, the local bicycling roads, the local driving roads, McPhee's and Robin's, our two favorite and nearby restuarants, and the fact that I'm the official Godfather for our neighbors 165 pound Great Dane, Regge. He and I truly love each other, and he's not even my dog. I hope I never have to leave this place.

A view of our place from my son's drone. It's paradise, for me at least. And lastly Regge. He stays with us when his parents are out of town.

Scott

 

[The Critic]

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.

Oddly enough, Aura Exterior Satin is only available in gallons. Low Lustre is available in 5 gals. Makes you wonder if folks are only using Aura Satin for trim/doors and not the body.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Oddly enough, Aura Exterior Satin is only available in gallons. Low Lustre is available in 5 gals. Makes you wonder if folks are only using Aura Satin for trim/doors and not the body.

I don't know for sure. My house in Lawrence was done with Ben Moore and I will check on it later today and report back. I do not have a complete set of paint used on this house when built four years ago. More to follow when I can find the paint in garage.

 

[demarpaint]

I found the sheen of MoorGard "low lustre" was perfect for the areas in question here. The problem with mid gloss and semi gloss paints is the sheen fades, and it rarely fades uniformly. The "low lustre" finish has just enough sheen to clean easy, and it lasts. Save the mid or semi gloss paint for the trim. JMO.

 

[demarpaint]

Oddly enough, Aura Exterior Satin is only available in gallons. Low Lustre is available in 5 gals. Makes you wonder if folks are only using Aura Satin for trim/doors and not the body.

+1 There's a method to their packaging madness.

 

[Delta]

When I converted my carport into a garage, I painted the 4x8 siding (similar to what you have) with BM Ben Low Lustre. I am pretty happy with it.

Don't have any real closeups, but you can get the idea.

EDIT: Been on there since Spring 2022 and not really showing signs of wear/fade. This side gets a lot of elements.

 

[The Critic]

When I converted my carport into a garage, I painted the 4x8 siding (similar to what you have) with BM Ben Low Lustre. I am pretty happy with it.

Don't have any real closeups, but you can get the idea.

EDIT: Been on there since Spring 2022 and not really showing signs of wear/fade. This side gets a lot of elements.

What shade of blue is that siding?

 

[Delta]

What shade of blue is that siding?

Benjamin Moore # 1460 Silver Dollar. Swatch can be found in the classic series.

I used to sell BM paint so I have the big fandeck

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I don't know for sure. My house in Lawrence was done with Ben Moore and I will check on it later today and report back. I do not have a complete set of paint used on this house when built four years ago. More to follow when I can find the paint in garage.

I just checked and the paint is BM Ultra Spec 500 paint. Apparently they got a deal on it from the nearby Ace Hardware store. After 3.5 yrs it till looks very good.