The best exterior paint

Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior Paint and Primer in One is a robust paint that can be applied on a variety of outdoor surfaces and even furniture.

With a guarantee to last for a decade or longer — even in the harshest of weather conditions — Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior Paint and Primer in One is prized for its excellent durability. But its versatility is equally impressive: You can apply this exterior paint to wood, vinyl, trim, doors, and even outdoor furniture, and it can be used at temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior Paint and Primer in One is a good choice for use with older, worn, or damaged surfaces, and it can be applied directly over rusted metals or worn woods. Whether applied using a brush, a roller, or a paint sprayer, this blended paint and primer leaves a clean, even finish that completely masks the surface below.

In its testing of this paint, Consumer Reports found that Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior Paint and Primer in One resists cracking and color change, and helped prevent mildew.

Pros: Excellent durability, works on myriad surfaces, clean and even finish despite what's underneath

Cons: The quality comes at a higher price

KILZ Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint can cover up to 500 square feet of siding and dries in two hours.

Siding is a prominent exterior building material on many homes and businesses, and KILZ Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint is a great choice for painting them.

Depending on the type of material, a single gallon of KILZ can coat up to 500 square feet of surface — up to 200 square feet if it's highly porous. And if you need to apply a second coat, you won't have to wait long: The paint dries to the touch in about two hours and is ready for a second coat in just six hours.

Many users reported that the paint has great durability and longevity, even many years after it was applied.

Pros: Good coverage area, dries quickly

Cons: May stain by leaves and debris that stick to surface

Rust-Oleum Zinsser PermaWhite Exterior Paint resists moisture and mildew, helping protect wood against rot even in wet or humid environments.

Just about all paint can help prevent mildew to some degree simply by acting as a barrier between the underlying material and the moisture present outside. But Rust-Oleum Zinsser PermaWhite Exterior Paint goes a step beyond that: The paint itself features a mildewcide that prevents mold growth on the paint itself, thereby dramatically reducing the chance for molds or mildews to spread more deeply into the surfaces below.

Ideal for things like wooden siding, shutters, trim, railing, and doors, the paint is made to resist mold and mildew for five years and retain its looks and physical integrity for 15 — resisting blistering, peeling, and cracking.

Just keep in mind that a quart-sized can of paint won't go all that far, so buy a few if you have a lot of wood to cover.

Pros: Resists mold and mildew, protects wood from rot, maintains look and integrity

Cons: Can get pricey if you have a lot of wood to cover

A coat or two of Glidden Premium Semi-Gloss Latex Exterior Paint looks great on myriad surfaces and remains highly breathable, allowing porous building materials like brick to release moisture.

When it comes to the paint you choose for brick, stucco, and other porous building materials, you need to use a product that has excellent breathability, thus allowing the moisture that inevitably works its way into these materials to be released easily — preventing the build-up of mold or mildew and keeping moisture away from underlying wood, insulation, and so forth.

Glidden Premium Semi-Gloss Latex Exterior Paint is a 100% acrylic latex paint that is ideal for use on such materials, though it can also be applied to siding, trim, and other areas of a property. Once dried, the paint is fade- and chip-resistant, and each coat dries to the touch in well under an hour when applied at temperatures above 35 degrees Fahrenheit. While breathable, the paint also creates a barrier that can prevent mold growth on the exterior of a structure.

In our research, several users reported issues with brighter and darker colors showing through coats of Glidden Premium Semi-Gloss Latex Exterior Paint. Proper sanding and priming should rectify that issue, however.

Pros: Breathable paint ideal for brick, resists mold and mildew, easy even coverage

Cons: Bold colors might show through coats

RTG Deck, Porch, & Patio Anti-Slip Paint creates a traction coating that helps make your outdoor spaces safer to walk on.

When selecting a paint for outdoor surfaces where there's frequent foot traffic, you need something that provides traction even when wet and resists damage from precipitation, temperature changes, sunshine, and weight. RTG Deck, Porch, & Patio Anti-Slip Paint is designed for just this type of application, and can be used on wood or synthetic decks and porches, on concrete or asphalt, or many other exterior surfaces.

RTG Deck, Porch, & Patio Anti-Slip Paint comes in three neutral colors — white, light gray, and sand — as well as in a clear variety if you want to preserve the original look of a surface. The paint can be applied with a brush or roller and dries enough for an additional coat in about an hour; in good conditions, it can be walked on in about three hours after the final coat.

Pros: Provides excellent traction, quick drying time, weather resistant

Cons: Some customers reported bubbling and peeling after application