
Using the Architects’ finishes for exterior projects
Paint & Paper Library’s water-based Architects’ finishes offer unrivalled durability for transforming exterior spaces.
Available in four different sheen levels, these self-priming formulations are truly multi-surface, providing excellent adhesion to interior and exterior walls, woodwork and metalwork, as well as uPVC, tiles and more.
Learn more about the finishes and discover inspiration for exterior projects.

Unparalleled toughness and durability
The innovative Architects’ finishes from Paint & Paper Library are the ideal solution for painting exteriors. These robust, high-quality formulations are suitable for virtually any building substrate, including wood, masonry, metals, tiles and plastics.
Many projects can be completed without any requirement for a separate primer. The Architects’ finishes can be applied directly to bare, unpainted surfaces, or those with an existing paint finish, after cleaning and sanding beforehand.
Front Door: Soumak
Front Door Casing and Fanlight: Salt II

Offered in Matt, Eggshell, Satin and Gloss, each finish provides unparalleled toughness and durability on your chosen substrate. They are also available in the complete Paint & Paper Library palette, awarding you complete freedom as you select paint shades and sheen levels for exterior updates.
Door: Chinese Emperor
Front: Clean White
Railings: New Black
Terracotta Pot: Slate III
Explore the Architects’ finishesInspiration for exterior projects

Exterior Wood
Refresh exterior joinery and woodwork using the Architects’ finishes. From traditional wooden front doors to garden sheds and fences, these paints add durability to outdoor woodwork, ensuring these aspects of your home exterior are fully protected against the elements. Architects’ Eggshell, Satin and Gloss are recommended for painting directly onto both painted and unpainted wooden surfaces.
The Architects’ finishes allow you to introduce shades from the Paint & Paper Library palette to exterior woodwork. Consider versatile green hues to effortlessly complement their natural surroundings. For a timeless appearance, an elegant, muted green like Sprig IV offers a harmonious accompaniment to red brickwork on classic wooden front doors.
Front Door and Window: Sprig IV
Colour inspiration

Exterior Walls & Masonry
Painting masonry and outdoor walls using the Architects’ finishes can add lasting impact to your home exterior. Architects’ Matt has a very subtle low sheen of 3-5%, with a very beautiful appearance when bathed in natural sunlight. This water-based, weatherproof formulation is also completely scrubbable with excellent scuff and stain resistance, making it a practical option for exterior surfaces.
Choose from the extensive range of colours from Paint & Paper Library to create a beautiful exterior scheme. Consider selecting shades that complement your interior palette to create seamless flow and transition between the different spaces. Bold, dark hues such as Squid Ink bring depth and character, delivering a strong focal point on your home exterior.
Front Door and Surrounding Panels: Plimsoll
Façade: Squid Ink
Floor Tiles: Scarlet 'n' Rust
Colour inspiration

Exterior Metals
The Architects’ finishes are suitable for painting interior and exterior metalwork. These high performance paints achieve a durable, protective coating, in four sheen variations. In many cases, metal surfaces can be transformed without a separate primer, enabling you to refresh metal gates, furniture, railings and more using a single tin of paint. Only when painting onto bare metal with Architects’ Gloss is a coat of Architects’ All Surface Primer recommended to prepare the surface.
For contemporary properties that feature metal prominently on their exterior, consider how your choice of colour can deliver an elegant, understated feel. Blue is an excellent shade to contrast with natural greenery and stonework for an elevated finish. Consider Blue’s Blue, a confident mid-tone shade that complements chrome and nickel hardware on a contemporary steel or aluminium front door.
Front Door: Blue’s Blue
Door Surround: Acqua Viva
Underside of Porch Roof: Cotton I
Colour inspiration

Tiles
With true multi-surface adhesion, the Architects’ finishes are capable of transforming tiles in your interior and exterior schemes. This provides ample opportunities when it comes to updating your entrance using hues from the Paint & Paper Library palette. For tiled porches and entryways, accompany your chosen front door colour with a complementary shade for your tiles. Create a luxurious, all-encompassed finish with a related hue, or paint your tiles in a bold, contrasting colour for a statement feel.
Front Door: Kigali
Tiles Outside Porch: Mockingbird
Walls Inside Porch and Exterior Pillars: Capuchin
Colour inspiration

uPVC
As well as being suitable for painting classic wooden front doors, the innovative Architects’ formulations make it possible to introduce Paint & Paper Library colours to uPVC front doors too. Simply clean and sand the uPVC surface before applying paint in your preferred finish and colour. Bright, contemporary shades work well on the front doors of many rendered home exteriors, adding plenty of impact to revitalise your entrance. Consider striking accent colours like Deep Water Green, as well as vibrant jewel tones from the ‘Jewels’ capsule collection.
Front Door: Deep Water Green
Exterior: Clean White
Numerals: Glass I
Flooring and Railings: Kigali
Colour inspiration
Explore the complete range of Paint & Paper Library finishes to choose your preferred paint finish or request a colour card to select paint shades for exterior projects.