The exterior of your house says a lot about you and the interior of your home, so you want it to look its best. And that includes your porch. To keep it in top condition requires the best outdoor paint for porches to reduce weathering from the sun, wind, and rain.
We review the 5 best exterior paints for porches, rating them on price, coverage, ease of application, and customer satisfaction.
- Ideal for most exterior surfaces
- Resist peeling & cracking
- Safe for livestock
- Can be sprayed, brushed, & rolled on
- Dries in just 4 hours
- Low VOC and odor
- 15-year warranty against cracking & peeling
- Low odor and VOCs
- Water-based - better for the environment
- Complies with ADA guidelines
- Works on concrete, asphalt, wood, & other surfaces
- UV and moisture-resistant
- 24 color choices
- Low VOCs
- Water-based - better for the environment
Product Reviews
We spent hours looking for the best outdoor porch paints to make your selection easier. Here are our favorite 5.
KILZ Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint
Best Oil-Based Paint for Porches
This KILZ exterior paint is an excellent choice if you want an oil-based product. It covers between 200 and 500 square feet, depending on the porosity and quality of the porch surface, and it dries ready for recoats within 6 to 8 hours.
Because it is oil-based, the VOCs are higher, giving off low-level ozone as the paint dries, and you do need to watch for strong odors, so make sure you have good ventilation.
This paint resists cracking, peeling, and the damaging effects of UV, plus it covers masonry, stucco, and sanded surfaces. While it is an oil-based paint, it is safe to use around livestock, and the formula is lead-free.
It is also self-priming, so it drastically reduces your preparation time because you can paint it straight onto bare surfaces.
Pros
- Ideal for most exterior surfaces.
- Resist peeling and cracking.
- Safe for livestock.
- Lead-free, so it is safe to use.
Cons
- Oil-based, so bad for the environment.
- High VOCs and odors.
Product Specs
Quantity | 1-gallon |
Coverage | 200 to 500 square feet |
Drying time | 6 to 8 hours |
Type | Oil-based |
Price | $$ |
Our Ratings
KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Paint
Best Outdoor Paint for Concrete Porches
This is the second KILZ paint to feature in our review, but it is the best choice if you have a concrete porch. It has excellent mold and mildew resistance, as well as withstanding up to 12 PSI of water pressure. That’s the equivalent of a 22-foot wall of water!
It seals porous concrete and other exterior surfaces using nanotechnology to form a waterproof barrier. This 1-gallon can only cover 75 to 125 square feet, depending on the quality of the surface, which is much less than other products.
Because this is water-based paint, it dries faster. You can apply the second coat within 4 hours, and it is touch-dry within 1 hour. It’s also better for the environment because it has low VOCs and a low odor, so you can work in confined spaces.
Unlike the last KILZ paint, this version is not self-priming, so you can only apply it to properly prepared surfaces, and you shouldn’t attempt to paint surfaces with active water leaks.
This paint can be sprayed, rolled, or brushed on, and it also works on concrete basement floors and other masonry surfaces.
Pros
- Can be sprayed, brushed, and rolled on.
- Dries in just 4 hours.
- Low VOC and odor.
- Withstands 12 PSI of water pressure.
Cons
- Suitable for primed and prepared surfaces.
Product Specs
Quantity | 1-gallon |
Coverage | 75 to 125 square feet |
Drying time | 4 hours |
Type | Water-based |
Price | $$ |
Our Ratings
Rust-Oleum 3104 Zinsser Perma-White Exterior Satin
Best Self-Priming Paint for Porches
When you don’t have the time to prepare the surfaces ready for painting, self-priming paint is a great product to have. This Zinsser Rust-Oleum paint is self-priming, fade-resistant, and resistant to UV rays.
It also helps keep mold and mildew at bay, and it resists dirt and moisture. Because it is self-priming, it adheres to surfaces without sanding, and it is a long-lasting formula.
Rust-Oleum is so confident this paint works, they guarantee it against mold and mildew for 5 years and 15 years against cracking and peeling. This is a water-based product, so the cleanup is simple with soap and water, and it is kinder to the environment because it contains low VOCs and has a low odor.
On the downside, this paint only comes in small 31.5-fluid ounce tins, so you might be restricted to the size of projects you can undertake. The costs will soon stack up if you need to buy multiple cans.
Pros
- 15-year warranty against cracking and peeling.
- Low odor and VOCs.
- Water-based, so better for the environment.
- Mold and Mildew-resistant.
Cons
- Only comes in small tins.
Product Specs
Quantity | 31.5 fluid ounces |
Coverage | Not stated |
Drying time | 2 hours |
Type | Water-based |
Price | $ |
Our Ratings
FIXALL Skid Grip Anti-Slip Textured Coating
Best Outdoor Paint for Wooden Porches
This is acrylic paint with a textured finish to increase grip on floors and pathways. It adheres to stone, asphalt, concrete, wood, and almost any surface you can think of.
You can use it indoors and out, and it has moisture and UV-resistant qualities that mean it won’t fade. If you have anyone in the family with mobility issues or they are unsteady on their feet, this paint exceeds the ADA (American with Disabilities Act) requirements.
One negative is the coverage. Because it contains a non-slip material, you only get a spread of 60 to 80 square feet on rough surfaces and 80 to 100 square feet on smoother surfaces, so you might need a couple of cans to complete your porch repaint.
Another downside is the cost. This paint is several times more expensive than other similar products.
Once it goes down, it takes about 4 hours to dry between coats, and because this is a water-based product, it is kinder to the environment with low VOCs and odors.
Pros
- Complies with ADA guidelines.
- Works on concrete, asphalt, wood, and other surfaces.
- UV and moisture-resistant.
- Low VOCs and odors.
Cons
- Limited coverage.
- Expensive compared to other products.
Product Specs
Quantity | 1-gallon |
Coverage | 60 to 100 square feet |
Drying time | 4 hours |
Type | Water-based |
Price | $$$$ |
Our Ratings
Montage Signature Interior/Exterior Eco-Friendly Paint
Best Water-Based Paint for Porches
Water-based paints are much less toxic compared to oil-based products, and as a result, they are more user-friendly, with low odors and minimal VOCs, which release low-level ozone when the paint dries.
This US-made paint comes in 24 different colors, so you should find one that matches your tastes, and it is mold and mildew-resistant, so it should stay looking good no matter what the conditions.
This paint is scrubbable; it covers really well, spreading over 300 square feet, and dries to a low sheen. The only downside is many customers have complained that the color in the tin does not match the swatches, and also some said it smells really bad.
Pros
- 24 color choices.
- Low VOCs.
- Water-based, so better for the environment.
- Mold and mildew-resistant.
Cons
- Some complain the paint does not match swatches.
Product Specs
Quantity | 1-gallon |
Coverage | 300 square feet |
Drying time | Not stated |
Type | Water-based |
Price | $$ |
Our Ratings
Product | Best | Quantity | Coverage | Drying time | Type | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KILZ Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint | Best Oil-Based | 1-gal. | 200 – 500 sqft | 6 – 8 hours | Oil-based | $$ |
KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Paint | Best for Concrete | 1-gal. | 75 – 125 sqft | 4 hours | Water-based | $$ |
Rust-Oleum 3104 Zinsser Perma-White Exterior Satin | Best Self-Priming | 31.5 fluid ozs | Not stated | 2 hours | Water-based | $ |
FIXALL Skid Grip Anti-Slip Textured Coating | Best for Wood | 1-gal. | 60 – 100 sqft | 4 hours | Water-based | $$$$ |
Montage Signature Interior/Exterior Eco-Friendly Paint | Best Water-Based | 1-gal. | 300 sqft | Not stated | Water-based | $$ |
Porch Paint vs. Interior Paint
The difference between the two is immense. Interior paint has one mission: to cover evenly and look good. Sure, it gets punishment from heat, cold, fingerprints, and daily use, but nowhere near the same as exterior paint.
Exterior paint is more robust. It has to withstand UV damage, rainfall, and the drying effects of wind, to keep your exterior surfaces looking good for longer. Often the paint has a mold and mildew additive that repels the lasting effects of water damage.
The paint on your porch is the last line of defense between the material beneath and the weather. Because of that, it has to withstand fading, cracking, and peeling. While most exterior coverings are water-based, oil-based products are available and are better at penetrating the material to protect from within.
Moisture encourages mold spores to grow, and while there is a greater chance of fungal penetration on your exterior surfaces, your chosen paint should deal with that kind of punishment with ease.
Key Features to Look For
What are the important factors that help you decide on the best exterior porch paint? Is it the formula, the coverage, or ease of application? Let’s take a look at your options.