Paint buying guide

We've found that lower grades--typically dubbed good, better, or contractor grade--haven't performed as well. If a top-line paint can cover all but the darkest colors in two coats, lower-quality paints might need three or four. The best now cover in just one coat. Some even claim to eliminate the initial, primer coat.

Don't buy strictly by brand. Manufacturers tend reformulate paints frequently to improve performance and comply with tougher regulations. That means the paint you loved last time may not do as well this time around.

Think carefully about color. A hue that looks great in the store could turn you off once it's on your walls. Use the store's color-sampling products and retailer and manufacturer computer programs. Most stores sell 2-ounce sample jars so you can test a paint before buying a large quantity. Manufacturers also offer large color chips, which are easier to use than the conventional small swatches.

Try out samples on different walls and at various times of the day. Fluorescent light enhances blues and greens, but it makes warm reds, oranges, and yellows appear dull. Incandescent light works well with warm colors, but it might not do much for cool ones. Even natural sunlight changes from day to day, room to room, and morning to evening. Color intensifies over large areas, so it's better to go too light than too dark in a given shade.

Breathe easier. Manufacturers are reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--the noxious chemicals that make paint smell like paint--in their products, in response to stricter federal standards. VOCs can cause headaches and dizziness, and are linked to pollution, smog, and respiratory problems. More manufacturers now make low-VOC paints that comply with the even-tougher standards set by California's regional South Coast Air Quality Management District. Earlier low-VOC paints lacked the durability and sheen selection of higher-VOC finishes, but some low-VOC paints now top our Ratings. Some paints even claim to contain no VOCs at all, but those we've tested haven't topped our Ratings. You'll find the VOC level listed on the can.

To find out which finishes are likely to last longest on your home, we painted and stained pine test panels and placed them on the roof of our Yonkers, New York, headquarters. We also faced the boards south at 45 degrees from vertical to intensify the effects of sun and the outdoors. One year of such severe testing is equivalent to about three years of normal weathering on a typical home. Most exterior paints held up well for the equivalent of at least three years, and the best still looked respectable after what amounted to nine years under the elements. Stains must typically be reapplied more often--some after as little as one year.

As with interior paints, manufacturers typically reformulate exterior paints and stains often, partly to meet tougher federal standards limiting volatile organic compounds. VOCs can cause headaches and dizziness, and are linked to pollution, smog, and respiratory problems. But reducing VOCs in exterior paint without compromising performance has been a challenge. Whether you paint or stain, here are some tips for getting the best-looking, most durable finish possible:

Don't cheap out. As with interior paints, we've found that economy grades of paints and stains don't weather as well as top-of-the-line products from the same brand. Pinching pennies now may mean spending more down the road, since you'll need to refinish more often.

Consider lesser-known brands. Major brands have tended to wind up at the top of our tests. But some small regional brands have joined them at the top, while some national heavy-hitters have looked scruffy after the equivalent of just three years.

Choose the right gloss level. Flat and satin finishes are best for siding because they hide flaws by reducing reflections. Semigloss paints add some shine to doors and trim, providing visual contrast.

Insist on top finishes. Hiring a pro? Be sure the contract specifies the brand, line, and number of coats; for paint we generally recommend two top coats plus a prime coat over bare surfaces if needed.

Look for deals. Holiday weekends, including Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, are popular times for paint promos.

Don't scrimp on the prep work. Good preparation is critical to a good, long-lasting exterior finish, whether you're paying a pro or are among the roughly 20 percent of homeowners who do the job themselves. That means scraping, sanding, and cleaning the siding thoroughly. And while the best paints covered in one coat--and some claim to eliminate the need to prime the surface--we recommend two coats for long life and optimal coverage. Other materials may require different procedures. Stucco and masonry, for example, may need sealing beforehand. If you sand or scrape paint on a house built before 1978, be warned: Older coats of paint may contain lead, so you'll need to take extra precautions. Indeed, federal law now requires that painters you hire be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and be trained in lead-safe work practices.

The gloss level affects perception of color. Flat paints (and textured walls) absorb light, so colors seem darker. Glossy paints and smooth surfaces reflect, so colors look brighter. The degree of glossiness may differ from one manufacturer to another.

Paints may be alkyd based (solvent) or latex based (water). Most alkyd-based products require cleaning with mineral spirits, but a few, such as latex, can be cleaned with water. Exterior paints come in a variety of sheens.

Exterior stains range from clear, with no pigment, to opaque, with lots of pigment. Some manufacturers offer different formulations for siding and decks; check our latest deck-treatment Ratings for specific brand information.

If you're changing interior walls or house siding from dark to light, you'll need a paint that's good at hiding. Many new paints can cover a contrasting color with a single coat. But for best coverage, we still recommend using two coats, even with a top-scoring paint.

Interior paint should dry smooth, without showing brush marks. Low-luster and semigloss paints have tended to dry smoother than flat and matte finishes overall.

While most low-luster and semigloss interior paints were very good or excellent at resisting stains, flat paints haven't scored as well in this area.

Nearly all interior paints of all types were impressive in this area.

Low-luster and flat interior paints were generally impressive here, while semigloss paints haven't fared as well.

Some interior paints never seem to dry completely. They can make a window difficult to open, or cause books to stick to a shelf. Most paints we tested did well at this.

This is especially important in a kitchen, bath, or damp basement. No particular type of interior paints showed a clear advantage.

Fading has long been a problem in sun-drenched rooms, resulting in walls that become lighter over time as they're exposed to sunlight. In general, whites and browns tend not to fade; reds and blues fade somewhat; and bright greens and yellows tend to fade a lot.

Accumulation of dirt is a particular challenge for exterior paint n urban areas. Dark exterior paints and stains hide dirt best. Removing accumulated dirt requires scrubbing or pressure washing.

Especially in sunny climates, even the best-quality exterior paints and stains tend to fade, change color, or develop a chalky film. Blues and yellows are the most likely to suffer; refinishing is the only remedy.

Staining and spotting from mildew are common in damp regions from rainy Seattle to steamy Tampa, on northern exposures, and on any house that gets more shade than sun. Removal requires scrubbing with a solution of water and bleach.

All of our tested paints effectively protected the pine panels from cracking. Semi-transparent and clear stains have allowed the wood to crack more readily than opaque stains. If you see cracks on your decking or siding, we recommend refinishing before they worsen and cause more damage.

Behr is a leading brand of interior paints and is available exclusively at The Home Depot. Along with water and oil-based interior paints, Behr offers primers, specialty finishes such as Venetian plaster, masonry waterproofers, wood-flooring coatings, and cleaners. Behr is a part of Masterchem, which also makes the Kilz brand of primers and paints.

Benjamin Moore is part of the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio of companies owned by Warren E. Buffett. Benjamin Moore has positioned itself as an aspirational paint brand, particularly since breaking through the top tier with the introduction of Aura. Benjamin Moore has a network of 4,000 independent dealers who carry the brand, and has said that training and service are the key reasons why it hasn't entered the home-center channel. Benjamin Moore also operates more than 1,200 Benjamin Moore paint stores across the country.

ICI Paints is a part of Akzo Nobel, the world's largest coatings manufacturer. The ICI family of brands includes multiple coating names, with Glidden being the most recognized name among U.S. consumers. Glidden has several lines, with Evermore available exclusively at Home Depot, and Endurance and Spred, which are sold through independent paint & hardware dealers.

Olympic is a member of PPG's architectural coatings family of brands. Olympic interior paints are sold exclusively through Lowe's, and include paints for the ceiling, kitchen, and bath, and primers.

Sherwin-Williams is the largest producer of paints in the U.S. and includes Pratt & Lambert and Thompson Minwax among its family of brands. Sherwin-Williams manufactures interior paints and sells them through more than 3,000 company-owned retail stores. In addition to paints, Sherwin-Williams offers primers, faux finishes, interior wood stains, and wallpaper. Its retail stores cater to professionals and consumers, and offer a variety of paint supplies and tools.

Valspar originated more than 200 years ago as a varnish dealer. Valspar is a leading brand of interior paint, and its most popular lines—Ultra Premium and Signature Colors—are available exclusively at Lowe's. Valspar manufactures a wide variety of coatings under the Valspar brand for Lowe's and for independent paint and hardware dealers, including color-changing ceiling paint, kitchen and bath paints, and decorative textured coatings. The Valspar family of brands also includes Laura Ashley, McCloskey, Guardsman, and Goof Off, and the company recently expanded its presence in exterior stains with the acquisition of Cabot.