Durable superhydrophobic coatings have been prepared from a system of silica nanoparticles (NPs) to provide nanoscale roughness, fluorosilane to give hydrophobic chemistry, and three different polymer binders: urethane acrylate, ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, and epoxy. The coatings using NPs in various concentrations with the three binders showed different superhydrophobic behavior when applied to both glass and polycarbonate (PC) substrates. Coating composition and substrate surface characteristics and wettability affected the superhydrophobic characteristics of the coatings. Interfacial tension and spreading coefficient parameters (thermodynamics) of the coating components were used to predict the localization of the NPs for different binders and concentrations. The thermodynamic analysis of the NPs localization was in good agreement with the experimental observations. Using thermodynamic analysis and the experimental data (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), profilometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM)), it was determined that localization of the nanoparticles on the surface was critical to yield the needed roughness for superhydrophobicity. The durability was evaluated by tape testing for both glass and polycarbonate substrates. Several coating compositions retained their superhydrophobicity after the tape test. Of the three binders the epoxy was found to be the most durable. In summary, it was concluded that thermodynamic analysis is a powerful tool for predicting the roughness of the coating as a result of location of NPs on the surface and can be used in the design of superhydrophobic coatings.