What it depends on
The right system is a primer and topcoat chosen together for the surface in question.
- Wood siding and trim: 100% acrylic over a stain-blocking primer on bare wood
- Cedar shingle: an oil or specialty stain-blocking primer to prevent tannin bleed, or a penetrating stain instead of paint
- Fiber cement: acrylic system compatible with the factory finish; no oil primer
- Stucco and masonry: breathable, alkali-resistant masonry coating
- Aluminum: thorough wash plus bonding primer, then acrylic
- Vinyl: vinyl-safe acrylic in colors rated not to increase heat absorption
Fairfield County considerations
Salt exposure along the shoreline is the local variable that shortens coating life most. Washing before coating removes the salt film; no product compensates for skipping it.
Connecticut's freeze-thaw cycling is hard on rigid coatings. Flexibility is why acrylic outperforms older oil systems on siding, even though oil still has a place as a primer on bare or tannin-rich wood.
Summer humidity affects application as much as product choice. Coatings applied close to dew point can blush or stay soft, so we stop earlier in the day in September and October than in July.
Sheen guidance
Flat and low-lustre finishes hide surface irregularity on older siding. Satin and semi-gloss shed water better and clean more easily, which is why trim, doors and shutters are usually finished at a higher sheen than the body of the house.
Next step
We specify product, primer and sheen for every surface in the written estimate, so you know exactly what is going on your home before work begins.
Related questions
- Is oil-based exterior paint better for New England?
- Not for siding. Oil films become brittle with age and crack under freeze-thaw movement. Oil-based primers are still valuable for blocking tannin and stains on bare wood.
- Do premium paints actually last longer?
- Premium lines generally offer better resin quality, color retention and hide, which can add a couple of years of appearance life. They cannot compensate for poor preparation.