Summer is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and breathe new life into your home’s exterior. Whether you’re reviving a weathered fence, refreshing your deck, or brightening up your shutters, choosing the right paint makes all the difference in both appearance and longevity. At your local Ace Hardware of Fort Collins, we carry trusted brands like Benjamin Moore, Clark+Kensington, and Cabot—so you can count on professional-quality results for every project.

Here are some of our top tips for picking the right outdoor paint for your project.

Consider the Surface

• Fences and decks: If you plan on tackling a wood project like your deck or fence, use a stain or paint formulated specifically for exterior wood. Cabot stains are a favorite for their rich color, excellent penetration and water resistance. Cabot also does a great job providing lasting protection from UV damage.
• Shutters: Most modern exterior shutters are made from vinyl or metal so choose a high-adhesion paint like Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior that bonds well to smooth surfaces.
• Concrete: You can easily elevate walkways and floors with a single coat of concrete floor paint. Rust-Oleum offers some great options that are self-priming to save time and resist damage from motor oil and grease. Their paints are durable and weather-resistant to help resist fading and peeling.

Pick the Perfect Finish

Color isn’t the only factor that dictates a final look. Start with choosing a paint that can hold up to Colorado weather. Acrylic paints are generally recommended because they expand and contract better than oil-based paints making them more adaptable to the fluctuating temperatures we see here. Choosing the right finish is just as important. Flat or matte finishes hide imperfections and are good for fences. Satin or eggshell finishes have a slight sheen and are easier to clean. They are generally better for siding and shutters. Finally gloss or semi-gloss finishes are more durable and are good for furniture and trim. This Soft Gloss Exterior Paint from Benjamin Moore protects against harsh weather conditions. It ensures even coverage and resists fading even under the strong Colorado sun.

Ace Hardware of Fort Collins on Harmony is here to help bring your vision to life! Our color samples and paint testers make it easy to try out a color before committing or wasting a full gallon of paint. We’ll guide you on choosing the best paint and finish for your summer project.