Exterior Paint Finishes
Little Greene’s 'exterior family' of paints offers both high-gloss and low-sheen finishes that are hard-wearing and hard-working. These exterior finishes are ideal for painting outdoor woodwork, joinery and metalwork.
Our range of exterior paints also include sumptuous matt finishes for brickwork and render. We formulate each finish with the same technical expertise used to develop paints for bridges, boats, castles, and even lighthouses.
Browse our collection of exterior paint finishes below.
FAQs About Exterior Paints
How many coats of paint are necessary for exterior surfaces?
For most surfaces, we recommend applying two full coats to achieve beautiful depth of colour and long-lasting durability. If you are carrying out a dramatic change of colour, such as black to white, you may require an additional coat of Intelligent ASP for optimum coverage. For full guidance on applying your chosen finish, please refer to our technical data sheets.
Do I need to use a primer before exterior paint jobs?
The decision of whether you need to use a primer depends on the finish you are using and the surface you are painting.
Our Intelligent Exterior Eggshell paint finish is self-priming on exterior woodwork. This hardworking water-based formula enables you to paint bare and unpainted wood surfaces without needing a separate primer. For painting exterior metal, we recommend first priming the surface with a coat of Intelligent ASP.
If you are using one of our other exterior paint finishes on bare or unpainted surfaces, we recommend first using Intelligent ASP. One coat of primer will ensure the topcoat adheres securely to the surface, increasing the durability of the finish.
For previously painted surfaces, you can usually apply the paint directly onto the clean, lightly sanded surface.
Finally, if you are painting a knotted wood, you will need to first apply a knotting compound to seal any knots before using your chosen finish.
Can I paint my exterior in cold or hot weather?
Before beginning any exterior project, it’s important to make sure the weather conditions are suitable. We recommend completing exterior projects when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
For best results, the surface temperature should be between 10 and 25 degrees. It’s important that the weather remains around this temperature for the full application, drying and curing process.
You should also avoid painting if there is a risk of rain or frost during the application and drying periods. The ideal weather for painting is during mild temperatures with a few days of dry weather.
