Best paints for winter in nEPA
Best Paints for Withstanding Harsh Pennsylvania Winters ❄️
When you live in Northeastern Pennsylvania, winter isn’t just a season—it’s a battle your home has to fight year after year. Between the snow, ice, freezing rain, and sudden temperature shifts, houses in places like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, and Mountain Top take more abuse than most homeowners realize.
That’s why choosing the right exterior paint is one of the smartest investments you can make. A good paint job doesn’t just refresh curb appeal—it creates a protective shield around your home. The wrong paint, on the other hand, can leave you dealing with peeling, cracking, or mold growth long before you’re ready for another project.
At Virtus Painting, we’ve helped homeowners all across Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties protect their homes from NEPA’s unpredictable weather. In this guide, we’ll cover exactly what to look for in a paint that can handle our winters, which brands perform best, and how to make sure your home stays protected for years to come.
Why NEPA Winters Wreck Exterior Paint
The winters here aren’t just cold—they’re unpredictable and extreme. Here are the biggest threats to your home’s exterior:
Freeze-Thaw Cycles – One day it’s 15°F in Scranton, the next it’s 42°F. That constant expansion and contraction causes low-quality paint to crack.
Heavy Snow & Ice – Homes in Back Mountain and Mountain Top see long snow cover, which traps moisture against siding.
Road Salt & Wind – In towns like Wilkes-Barre, road salt kicked up by passing cars can erode paint and finishes.
Humidity – Even in the dead of winter, fluctuating humidity in the Wyoming Valley can cause bubbling and peeling.
If your paint isn’t formulated for durability, you’ll be scheduling a repaint every few years instead of every 8–10.
Qualities to Look For in Winter-Ready Paint
Not all paints are created equal. Here’s what separates a paint that survives NEPA winters from one that fails by spring:
Flexibility – Paint should expand and contract with siding instead of cracking.
Moisture Resistance – Essential for withstanding melting snow and freezing rain.
UV Protection – Believe it or not, the winter sun can still cause fading, especially on south-facing walls.
Mildew Resistance – Snow sitting against siding can encourage mold growth if the paint isn’t resistant.
Adhesion – Paint must grip tightly to withstand wind, ice, and salt exposure.
The Best Paint Types for Pennsylvania Homes
Acrylic Latex Paints
✅ Flexible, durable, and moisture-resistant.
✅ Excellent for wood, vinyl, and aluminum siding.
👉 Our most common recommendation for Scranton exterior painting projects.
Elastomeric Coatings
✅ Creates a waterproof barrier and fills small cracks.
✅ Perfect for stucco and masonry homes in Wilkes-Barre.
👉 Especially effective for historic houses in West Pittston or Kingston.
Specialized Exterior Primers
✅ Critical for proper adhesion in fluctuating temperatures.
✅ Prevents peeling and ensures your top coat lasts.
👉 A must for fascia, soffits, and trim in Dunmore homes.
Recommended Paint Brands That Perform in NEPA
Through years of projects across Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties, these brands have proven their durability:
Sherwin-Williams Duration® Exterior
Industry-leading protection against cracking and peeling.
Ideal for homes exposed to snow and ice in Mountain Top.
Benjamin Moore Aura® Exterior
Excellent adhesion and fade resistance.
Performs well in both the urban streets of Wilkes-Barre and the open areas of Dallas, PA.
Behr Marquee® Exterior
Known for strong coverage and weather resistance.
A cost-effective choice for homeowners in Pittston and Forty Fort.
Pro Tips for Painting Before Winter
If you’re planning to paint before or after the cold sets in, timing and prep matter as much as the paint itself:
Choose the Right Season – Late spring and early fall are ideal painting windows in NEPA.
Prep Thoroughly – Scrape, sand, and power wash before applying primer. Paint applied over dirt or peeling layers won’t last.
Mind the Temperature – Avoid painting if temps are below 35–40°F for most paints. Specialized cold-weather paints exist, but curing is always slower in cold air.
Two Coats Minimum – One coat is never enough to stand up to NEPA winters.
Why Hire a Local NEPA Painting Company
When it comes to painting in NEPA, experience with the local climate is everything. National chains don’t always understand the unique challenges our homes face. At Virtus Painting LLC, we:
Know which paints work best for homes in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Dunmore.
Use techniques that keep paint bonded through freeze-thaw cycles.
Offer warranties and stand by our work, because we know what NEPA weather can do.
Provide fast, professional service from a local team that cares about your community.
Final Thoughts
Your home is your biggest investment, and here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, winter is the ultimate test of your paint job. By choosing the right products—and working with a local painter who knows how to apply them—you can keep your home looking beautiful and protected for years to come.
📞 Ready to protect your home before the next storm hits? Contact Virtus Painting today for a free estimate on your next exterior painting project in Luzerne or Lackawanna County.