Paint is decorative, but that's not all it's for. Without paint, the underlying surface of your home's exterior (wood, vinyl, or masonry) would be exposed. This task is what makes the number of paint products available so complicated.
If it were only about color and appearance, it would just be about taste and would be a simple choice. Since color is not all there is, it is important to know the different types of paint available and what they're for. Next to surface preparation, the type of paint you choose to cover your house is the most important element of painting. If you want it to last, anyway.
There are four basic elements to exterior paints: pigments, binders, additives and solvents. Each finish type or blend has a different mix of these ingredients. Pigments obviously make up the color and the binder holds the pigments together, keeping them on the surface. The additives and solvents are what make up the properties of the paint itself, such as protective qualities, paint hardness, mildew resistance, and so forth. The solvent itself also controls the liquid state of the paint and is what's responsible for how long it takes to dry. Often, the longer it takes the paint to dry (or "soak in"), the longer it will last as well.
The two major types of house paint for exterior are latex and alkyd (oil and water-based). Latex paints are usually the paint of choice for amateur, DIY painters and are more eco-friendly while alkyds are often used by professionals because they go on thicker and are easier to spread.
Most latex paints have a fast drying time and come in a huge variety of color pallets. They are not always as long lived and often require more work to hide the marks of over spray, brushes, or rollers.
Alkyd paints, on the other hand, use oil as their base and are generally thicker. This means that they take longer to dry, but give better coating and are generally longer-lasting as well. Most quality exterior paints for wood and other common surfaces are alkyd-based.
Some other types of paint are not as common, but can be considered for some circumstances. Elastomeric paints get their name from the flexible, rubber-like quality they have once applied. These are becoming popular stucco and masonry finishes, though they were once mainly only for semi-flexible structures (like bridges) to keep the paint from chipping. It's a thick paint that bridges small gaps and will likely hold its finish even if the surface it covers shifts slightly with changes in the seasons.
Another popular alternative is urethane. This paint is used mainly on flooring such as porches, walkways, etc., made from wood. This is a durable paint with a beautiful shine that can set off the wood it covers. Urethane is not the same as epoxy floor paints, which are interior-only.
It's important to choose the right paint for your home, as you'll save a lot of money over the long run by both making the job easier and by putting more time between painting.
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