Exterior paint is the cosmetic finish on your home — and the first line of moisture and UV protection for the siding, trim, and sheathing underneath. A quality exterior paint job lasts 8–12 years in the Chicagoland climate when it's done right. A rushed, prep-skipping job starts peeling within 2–3 years, looks worse than before, and costs the homeowner the entire project a second time.
Dynasty Restoration's exterior painting crews follow the trade-standard prep sequence that manufacturers require for their warranties: pressure washing, scraping and sanding, caulking, priming, and only then the finish coats. We use premium exterior paints from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore (SuperPaint, Emerald, Aura, Regal Select exterior lines) — not the value-tier products that most 'cheap paint job' quotes are actually pricing.
What We Paint
Whole-House Siding
Wood lap siding, engineered wood (LP), fiber cement, aluminum, and stucco — each with the correct prep sequence and primer for the substrate.
Trim, Fascia & Soffit
Window and door trim, corner boards, rake boards, fascia, and soffit — typically in a contrast color for classic architectural definition.
Doors & Garage Doors
Front doors, side doors, and garage doors finished in premium enamel for a smooth, durable surface.
Shutters & Accent Elements
Shutters (on or off the house), porch ceilings, columns, railings, and decorative trim.
Deck & Porch Painting
Deck surfaces, porch floors, and exposed deck framing (different products than house siding — we use the right product for each surface).
Rot Repair & Re-Caulking
Small rot repairs in trim and fascia, plus full re-caulking of all joints before paint goes on — standard part of our prep.
The Prep Sequence That Makes Paint Last
A paint job is roughly 70% prep and 30% painting. Our sequence:
- Pressure wash all surfaces — removes dirt, loose paint, chalk, and mildew
- Let dry fully (24–48 hours depending on weather)
- Scrape all peeling and loose paint back to solid substrate
- Feather-sand scraped edges so the transition to existing paint is smooth
- Spot-prime all bare wood and metal — matched to the substrate (oil or latex primer as specified)
- Caulk all window and door trim joints, siding seams, and penetrations with a quality paintable siliconized acrylic
- Re-glaze any failed window glazing
- Cover landscaping, walkways, and vehicles with drop cloths and plastic
- Mask off windows, doors, fixtures, and anything staying the existing color
- Apply two finish coats at manufacturer spec (roughly 4 hours between coats in typical conditions)
- Remove all masking, final touch-up, and walkthrough with you
Paint Product Matters
The difference between premium exterior paint (Sherwin-Williams Emerald, Benjamin Moore Aura) and value-tier product (Sherwin Duration Home, Ben Moore Ben) isn't a small cosmetic difference — it's literally double the useful life. Premium exterior products use higher-quality resins that stay flexible through freeze-thaw cycles, better pigment packages that resist UV fade, and better mildewcides for humid Midwest summers. We quote with premium product by default and will explain the tradeoff if you want a value-tier option on a specific project (rental property, short-term hold, etc.).