Exterior Paint for Beach Houses

Beach houses are known for their classic exteriors, siding and white trim. Their colors can be inspired by the natural colors found around them. From sea glass to warm sand and cool water, there is no end to the inspiration found in the natural world of the San Diego beach.

If it’s time to repaint your beach house exterior, Vista Paint has lots of options for you for paints that are durable, colorful and vibrant.

First, exterior surfaces, especially those on the San Diego beach, need to hold up to saltwater, cool air, damp mist and bright sun. That’s why your first step is finding an exterior primer that can help seal the wood siding to make it ready for painting.

First, wash the exterior of the home to remove any mold, mildew or salt build-up. You can’t paint a dirty surface, so washing it and letting it dry fully is a necessary first step. Next, patch or caulk any holes or gaps as needed. Read the instructions to determine how long the caulk needs to cure.

Repainting is also the time to check on the condition of your boards and to see if any need to be replaced. Old boards can be painted, but they won’t necessarily hold up as well as new ones. Replace anything that is split, warped or missing pieces.

Now it’s time to prime your home.

For wood priming, Vista Paint recommends the 4200 Terminator II, which is a water-based primer suitable for exterior use. It prevents stains and offers superior flexibility, which means it won’t crack as wood shrinks and expands due to exposure to moisture. That makes it a stellar choice for a beach house.

018 100% Acrylic Block Filler and 040 Block Kote are ideal primers for stone, stucco or brick that needs painting. These fill in gaps, giving a solid surface on which to apply your color.

Once you’ve primed your home and it has dried for the recommended time, you’re ready to paint. Exterior paint is required for the exterior of a home because it has a special formulation that lets it resist weathering and UV light. Choosing the wrong paint means you could wind up having to repaint more quickly than you would like.

1900 Weather Master is an acrylic exterior paint that resists mildew and is appropriate for all surfaces except metal. It comes in custom colors and is specially formulated to hold up against all kinds of weather without chipping, peeling or fading.

3000 Acribond provides a durable, flat finish that is mildew resistant. This exterior paint is perfect for wood surfaces or properly primed concrete and masonry.

Once you have picked your paint, it’s time to choose a color. Classic colors for San Diego beach houses are inspired by the coastline and all the colors it presents. From warm sand to cool mist, there is no end to the variety of natural colors you can choose from. Exterior paint tends to be a flat finish so the color doesn’t reflect as much light. This is especially important if you pick a lighter color that is naturally light-reflective.

Sand/neutral

If you want your beach house to blend into the landscape rather than standing out, these neutrals are the perfect choice to help your home look like it sprang up out of the sand.

• Pastel Day - This paint is a warm neutral that looks like sun-warmed sand begging you to bury your feet in it.
• Beryl Pearl - This gray-green neutral looks like cool mist on a San Diego winter’s day.
• Sandstone Palette - If you like the look of stone over sand, this brown-gray medium neutral will inspire you.
• Langdon Dove - This darker brown-gray will add character to any seaside home. It is reminiscent of the hills surrounding San Diego.

Water and sky

The San Diego coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world when the mist has burned off and all you can see is sky and water.

• Bulfinch Blue - This color could be said to be inspired by the hazy San Diego mornings where the mist hasn’t burned off completely. A beautiful blue-gray, Bulfinch Blue is a great choice for lovers of misty mornings.
• Cyan Sky - This vivid blue is almost turquoise and looks like sun-dappled water.
• Dancing Sea - This deep royal blue is a great choice for those wanting a brighter blue with no hint of gray.
• Watery Sea - A paint color that truly matches a beautiful cloudless sky.

Seashells/sea glass

Many happy memories are made searching for the perfect seashell or piece of sea glass. Bring those colors home with these shades.

• Outerspace - This light blue-green looks like polished sea glass.
• Aromatic Breeze - This peachy pink looks like the outside of a freshly washed seashell. It would pair perfectly with white shutters.
• Tudor Ice - This chilly blue-gray looks like a smooth piece of frosted sea glass.
• Tuscan Wall - This warm light orange looks just like a scallop.
• Shell Tint - This cool white has green undertones and looks like a sun-bleached shell.

Sunset

• Taste of Summer - This is a tangerine orange that runs on the lighter side, so it’s a good choice for someone who wants a bold color with a bit less brightness.
• Nosegay - Much like the flower it’s named after, this paint looks warm, pink and welcoming.
• Starfish - Ready to have the boldest house on the beach? Starfish is a bright orange that will leave a memorable impression.
• Endless Possibilities - This orange-red is vivid and strong and looks like the edge of the sun right before it slips below the horizon.

These paint colors give you so many options for painting your beach house. Whether you are looking for a neutral or you want your beach house to be visible up and down the coastline, Vista Paints has plenty of colors to choose from. Their high-quality exterior paints go on smooth and adhere so no amount of sand, surf or rain will remove their luster.