What is the exterior and why was it not prepainted?

Was there never discussion before installation regarding prepainting? If so, please share. I do not rely factory primer and always reprime and apply 1 coat of finish on the ground. It looks like you will need 3 coats of finish and I recommend the best paint money can buy. Not a big fan of Behrs unless spraying basements or garages.

No discussion regarding prepainting.

Good to know. We want to use the best paint possible. What brand do you recommend for exterior?

I've never used Behr, so I can't offer any advice on that type of paint.

Hardi does not need to be primed. It is primed. Maybe if your home has sat unpainted for over six months it couldn't hurt.

I've used BM and Sherwin-Williams exterior paint on three homes . Maybe it was painter application, but BM faded after five years. I have never had that problem with Sherwin Williams exterior on the two others.

I believe only one coat was sprayed, but I'm not positive on that.

P.S. Your home is beautiful by the way.

Thank you chat and fixer for your feedback. We just want to get it painted right.

First of all, companies can match (or approximate) most other major brands' colors. So you don't need to choose a Behr color necessarily, just because it's their paint. I haven't used their exterior products, but I did an entire midcentury remodel with their interior paint, and loved it. However: buy only the top 2 lines, Ultra Plus Premium or Marquee. They are excellent for the price. In grades below that, the quality drops off faster than the cost, so there's no reason to skimp.

SW 7004 Snowbound will be pretty white outside. That's OK, but make sure you like it. Test it first, applying a LARGE section to the Hardie board. Apply the potential trim color at the same time, in its proper location.

If you do decide you want to go darker than Snowbound, I'd probably stay with a cooler off white, due to your silver roof. Maybe Ben Moore 1548 Classic Gray, that's very light outdoors. A white that gets too warm might look odd against the roof. I'd try to get a roof sample during your testing phase, so you can lay everything out together and evaluate.

I have heard great things about SW exterior paint. My dad works for a stained glass company, they use SW exterior paint when they are painting/repainting the outside wood window frames.

I've used Benjamin Moore for over 30 years and really like the quality.

First of all, companies can match (or approximate) most other major brands' colors.

That actually depends on how sensitive your eye is to color. I was told the exact same thing. Took a sample of BM Fernwood Green to SW to match. Yes it was close but no cigar. SW colors have more of a blue base whereas BM colors have more of a brown base.

Same thing happened when SW tried to match BM Manchester Tan. They were not the same.