How to choose

This article is the archived version of a report that appeared in June 2009 Consumer Reports magazine.

Most of the time and expense of painting or staining your house goes into the prep work, so get a coating that can last longer even if it costs a few dollars more per gallon. Here's what else to keep in mind:

Pick the right color

Unless you have a Painted Lady (as Victorian-era homes are called), exterior palettes tend to be conservative. Some historic districts and homeowners' associations mandate colors. Even if there are no rules to abide, check your neighbors' homes for visual cues. "Creative" paint jobs can lower a home's resale value. Stuck for ideas? Many manufacturers offer online design programs that let you view a variety of palettes on a sample house or even on a downloaded image of your own abode. If you want to change from a dark color to a light one, you'll almost definitely need to apply two top coats, so budget accordingly.

Look for deals

Holiday weekends are a common time for special promos, especially on the top-performing brands sold at big-box stores. If you prefer shopping at independent retailers, ask about discounts on high-volume purchases. And remember that paint sold in 5-gallon containers sometimes costs half as much as the same product packaged in 1-gallon cans. Cover extra paint containers with plastic wrap to help make them airtight. Dispose of old paint at a household-hazardous-waste center.

Weigh convenience vs. performance

Multisurface stains, which can be used on decks, siding, and fences, sound like a great idea. And the industry is starting to make more multisurface products. Some, such as Behr Deck Plus 200 line, performed well on siding and decks. But in our tests, that convenience wasn't always worth it. We'll have a full report on deck stains in the July issue.