Oil-Based vs Latex Paint: What You Need to Know for Exteriors
A Homeowner’s Guide to Oil-Based and Latex Exterior Paints
Discover The Pros, Cons, And Best Uses For Each Type Of Exterior Paint
Understanding the difference between latex and oil-based outdoor paints might just hold the key to a successful, long-lasting paint job on your home. Homeowners simply want a paint color that looks great and will hold up over time — but the paint you choose makes a real difference in how well it does its job, how hard you have to work to use it, and how well it will hold up.
Paint Heroes have applied both latex and oil-based paints on countless projects, and they’ve seen those paints’ performance on different substrates for themselves. This guide presents it all for you so you can make an informed, confident decision — whether you’re hiring a pro or undertaking a DIY exterior project.
Oil-Based vs Latex Exterior Paint: What's the Real Difference?
The basic difference of outdoor paints on the basis of oil and latex reduces to the base or solvent that carries the pigment and binders.
Oil-based paint uses mineral spirits (or other oils) as its base
Latex paint (also called water-based paint) uses water as its base
That might seem like a small technical detail, but it makes all the difference — from how it goes on the paint to its durability against weather, moisture, and sun. The difference affects cleanup, dry time, and environmental friendliness, too.
Now let's take a closer look at exactly how each type contributes.
Strengths of Oil-Based Exterior Paints
Oil paints have been used for ages, and they’re durable and of classic finish. They’re used today for specific instances wherein latex won’t do as well.
Advantages of Oil-Based Exterior Paint:
Superior adhesion: Especially good on chalky, weathered, or previously painted surfaces
Hard, smooth finish: Great for trim, doors, or any surface that needs a strong, protective coat
Excellent stain blocking: Seals in tannins, wood knots, and previous stains
Resistant to wear and tear: Holds up better on high-traffic or high-touch areas
However, there are some downsides to oil based paints as well. The paints dry considerably longer sometimes 24 hours or more per layer and the clean-up requires solvents like paint thinner. Again oil-based paints do yellow after a period of time and do tend to become brittle or crack over the years.
We do highly recommend using oil-based paints for highly specific requirements, like coating raw wood or finishing off heavy stain. We don’t necessarily use them for whole siding jobs unless such surfaces specifically require them.
Benefits of Latex Exterior Paints: The Modern Favorite
Latex paints have improved considerably and now dominate the vast majority of outside house projects for a reason. They're faster, cleaner, and more flexible than the oil-based type, and they're the popular choice for many homeowners.
Why Latex Exterior Paint Is a Top Pick:
Quick drying: Recoating can happen in just a few hours, speeding up your project timeline
Easy cleanup: Washes off with water — no harsh chemicals needed
Flexible finish: Expands and contracts with temperature changes, reducing the risk of cracking
Eco-friendly: Lower levels of harmful VOCs and safer for people, pets, and the planet
Color retention: Resists fading better than oil-based paint in most sunlight conditions
Latex paint is ideal for siding, stucco, brick, and even well-primed wood. As it's more breathable than oil paint, moisture won't get sealed inside your walls — a good thing in rainy or damp areas.
Our Paint Heroes team uses premium quality latex paints for the majority of our outdoor projects because they give vibrant color, smooth appearance, and long-lasting performance with minimum maintenance.
When to Use Oil-Based vs When to Use Latex
The following is a brief rundown to assist in deciding which type of paint you'll want for your specific project:
Use Oil-Based Paint If:
You’re painting bare wood with knots or tannins
You’re covering up heavy stains or previous oil-based coatings
You need a super-hard finish on exterior trim or railings
You’re restoring an older home that already has oil paint
Use Latex Paint If:
You want faster drying and an easier cleanup
You’re painting newer siding, stucco, or primed wood
You’re working in a climate with big temperature shifts
You’re looking for eco-friendly and low-odor options
Not so sure? Paint Heroes is here for you. We assess surfaces, conditions, and goals so the paint you use is exactly right for your home.
Surface Prep: More Important than the Color of Paint Used
The best paint won't adhere if the surface isn't properly prepped. With either latex paint or an oil-based finish, you get adhesion, smooth finish, and professional look by proper prepping of the surface.
For latex paint, the surface must be clean, dry, and primed (especially if switching from oil to latex)
For oil-based paint, surfaces should be sanded and wiped down to remove any gloss or residue
At Paint Heroes, we never ever forego the preparation. It's a fundamental aspect of how we do things and why our outside paint finishes exceed the competition. We learned from experience that a quality finish starts well before the first coat.
Environmental Factor: Latex Leads the Way
If you're concerned with environmental impact, the winner here is latex paints. They contain significantly lower VOCs (volatile organic compounds), so they're less toxic to work with and healthier for indoor air quality — and again, just looking at exterior paint, but those fumes still matter.
The oil paints give off more fumes, have to be cleaned up chemically, and cannot just be thrown in the trash. For that alone, many professionals and homemakers are moving toward latex paints unless there is a legitimate reason not to.
Cost Considerations: Not Always What You Think
While oil-based paint generally costs a few bucks more upfront, the overriding factor of consideration is labor. As oil takes longer to dry and requires more preparation and cleanup, the labor cost may be higher. Latex may be less expensive in the overall picture, especially for large projects such as whole-house repaints.
However, do not accept the lowest bid. Paint Heroes will ever direct you toward the best for the future well-being and looks of your home — not the cheapest bid.
FAQ: Oil-Based vs Latex Exterior Paint – What You Need to Know
What is more durable, latex or oil-based exterior paint?
Oil-based paints will harden to a harder finish and may have a longer life on well-coated surfaces, but latex paints will resist cracking and fading better as they age, especially on large siding surfaces.
Can you paint latex over oil-based paint?
Yes, if the surface is properly prepped. You will need to clean, sand, and use a quality bonding primer beforehand in order to achieve good adhesion.
Is latex paint suitable for outdoor wood?
Overall, yes. The latex paints flex with the wood when it swells and contracts and won't peel nor create moisture issues.
Does oil-based paint yellow later on?
You betcha, paint that's oil-based yellows, especially in low light. That's why many people now prefer latex for color durability.
More eco-friendly type of paint?
The latex paint is considerably more eco-friendly. The VOC level is lower, cleanup is easier, and the environmental and indoor air quality effect is considerably less.
Let Paint Heroes Help You Choose with Confidence
The difference between latex and oil-based outdoor paints isn’t technical specifications alone — it’s choosing what is best for your home, for you, and how you live. There is room for both paints, but for the average homeowner, latex is the choice for ongoing outdoor painting.
At Paint Heroes, you're not left to guess at every decision you make, from paint type to finish to color selection. You’ll never have to question what's best for your home because Paint Heroes has the experience, equipment, and expertise to get it right the first time.
Whether you're painting a single wall or an entire exterior painting project, we'll help you select paint that looks great and will hold its own against the years.