Last Updated on June 10, 2023

Desert living can be tough, but with the right exterior paint, your home can look great and withstand the harsh conditions.

In the US southwest, homes face intense heat, strong winds, and dust storms, so it’s important to plan their design accordingly.

To help you choose the best exterior paint for your desert home, we’ve put together a list of top-rated products, colors, and tips.

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Beautiful Desert House in Phoenix, Arizona
Beautiful Desert Home in Phoenix, Arizona

Best paint colors for desert homes

Choosing the right colors for your desert home is an important decision. Not only do you want your home to look great, but you also want it to stay cool and comfortable during hot weather. One of the best ways to achieve this is by choosing colors that reflect light and heat.

The best color to paint a desert home is typically a light color, such as white, beige, or light gray. Warm earth tones are a great option for desert homes, as they complement the natural landscape and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Sandy beiges, dusty greens, and light browns are all great choices. If you prefer cooler colors, consider soft blues or pale grays.

It’s important to avoid dark colors that absorb heat, such as black, navy blue, and dark brown. These colors can make your home hotter and less energy-efficient. Also, avoid bright colors that may fade quickly in the intense sunlight.

Best exterior paint for desert climate

The best exterior paint for desert climate is 100% acrylic paint, which offers excellent adhesion, durability, and resistance to fading, chipping, and peeling. Warm earth tones, sandy beiges, and dusty greens are popular choices for desert homes. It is also important to consider the finish of the paint. A flat or matte finish can help hide imperfections and provide a natural look.

Dunn-Edwards Paints – Ultra-Exterior Paint

Dunn-Edwards Paints Ultra-Exterior Paint is a top-quality paint that is specially designed to withstand the harsh desert climate. It is a 100% acrylic paint that provides excellent adhesion to surfaces and resists chalking, fading, and cracking.

This paint is ideal for homes exposed to intense sunlight and contains heat-reflective technology that helps to reduce the interior temperature of your home during the hot summer months. The Ultra-Exterior Paint is available in a wide range of colors and finishes to help you create the perfect look for your desert home.

Behr – Marquee Exterior Paint

Behr Marquee Exterior Paint is a premium paint that is perfect for desert homes. This 100% acrylic paint provides exceptional durability and can withstand winds of up to 98 mph. Its advanced UV protection technology helps to prevent fading, ensuring that your home looks great for years to come.

The Marquee Exterior Paint is also self-priming, making it easy to apply, and is available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Its exceptional durability and long-lasting protection make it a great investment for your desert home.

Sherwin-Williams – Duration Exterior Paint

Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Paint is a high-performance 100% acrylic paint that can withstand extreme weather conditions, making it an ideal choice for desert climates. Its flexible formula resists cracking, peeling, and fading, ensuring that your home’s exterior looks beautiful for years.

This paint also has excellent adhesion and can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including wood, vinyl, and aluminum. The Duration Exterior Paint is available in a wide range of colors and finishes, so you can find the perfect match for your home.

Valspar – Duramax Elastomeric Masonry & Stucco Paint

Valspar Duramax Elastomeric Masonry & Stucco Paint is a premium quality paint that is ideal for desert homes with masonry or stucco surfaces. Its flexible, elastomeric formula can withstand extreme temperatures and resist cracking and peeling.

This paint also has excellent adhesion, ensuring a smooth and even finish. It can cover up to 200 square feet per gallon and is available in a range of colors and finishes, making it easy to find the perfect match for your desert home. The Duramax Elastomeric Masonry & Stucco Paint provides exceptional durability and long-lasting protection, making it an excellent investment for your home.

Desert off-grid living
Desert House in Gold Canyon, Arizona

Tips for painting exterior of house

Preparing your surface before painting is essential to achieving a professional-looking result.

You should always clean your surface thoroughly and let it dry completely before painting.

Use a power washer or a hose to remove any dirt, dust, or debris. If there are any cracks or holes, fill them with a suitable filler and sand them smooth.

Choosing the right paintbrush is also important. A high-quality brush can help you achieve a smooth and even finish, while a low-quality brush may leave streaks and marks. Look for a brush with synthetic bristles that are designed for use with acrylic paints.

Finally, choosing the right finish is also important. In desert climates, a flat or matte finish can help hide imperfections and provide a natural look.

These finishes are also less reflective, which can help keep your home cooler. However, a semi-gloss or gloss finish may be more durable and easier to clean.


Desert House Painting FAQs

What are the best paint colors for a desert home?

Light colors like white, beige, and light gray reflect light and heat, keeping the home cool.

Warm earth tones such as sandy beiges and light browns are also great choices.

What is the best exterior paint for a desert climate?

100% acrylic paint offers durability and resistance to fading, chipping, and peeling.

Consider a flat or matte finish for a natural look that hides imperfections.

How should I prepare the surface before painting the exterior of my desert home?

Thoroughly clean the surface and let it dry completely before painting.

Use a power washer or hose to remove dirt, dust, and debris, and fill any cracks or holes with a suitable filler.

Sand the filled areas smooth for an even finish.

What type of brush should I use for painting the exterior of my desert home?

Choose a high-quality brush with synthetic bristles designed for use with acrylic paints.

A good brush will help you achieve a smooth and even finish, while a low-quality brush may leave streaks and marks.

What finish is recommended for painting the exterior of a desert home?

In desert climates, a flat or matte finish is often preferred as it can hide imperfections and provide a natural look.

These finishes are less reflective, helping to keep the home cooler.

However, a semi-gloss or gloss finish may offer greater durability and ease of cleaning.

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