A fresh coat of paint is an easy, inexpensive
way to freshen a room. Today's
paints are significantly better than their
predecessors of even a few years ago in
several important respects. They spatter
less, keep stains at bay, and have ample
tolerance for scrubbing. They also resist
the buildup of mildew (important if you're
painting a kitchen, a bath, or a basement
room that tends to be damp). Further,
paints today contain low levels of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), which
improves air quality.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
You'll find several types of paints for
interior use. Wall paints can be used in
just about any room. Glossier trim enamels
are used for windowsills, woodwork,
and trim. Kitchen and bath paints are
usually fairly glossy and formulated to
hold up to water and scrubbing and to
release stains.
IMPORTANT FEATURES
Paint typically comes in flat, low
luster, and semigloss sheens. Flat paint,
with the dullest finish, is the best at
hiding surface imperfections, but it also
tends to pick up stains and may be marred
by scrubbing. It's well suited for formal
living rooms, dining rooms, and other
spaces that don't see heavy use. A low-luster
finish (often called eggshell or
satin) has a slight sheen and is good for
family rooms, kids' rooms, hallways, and
the like. Semigloss, shinier still, usually
works best on kitchen and bathroom walls
and on trim because it's generally easier
to clean. Low-luster and semigloss paints
look best on smooth, well-prepared
surfaces, since the paint's shine can
accentuate imperfections on the wall.
Most brands come in several tint
bases--the uncolored paint that forms
the foundation for the specific color you
choose. The tint base largely determines
the paint's toughness, resistance to dirt
and stains, and ability to withstand scrubbing.
The colorant determines how much
the paint will fade. Whites and browns
tend not to fade; reds and blues fade
somewhat; bright greens and yellows tend
to fade a lot.
How to choose
Performance differences.
Tests have shown that few paints hide
the old color in one coat, so plan on
applying two coats. While paints designated
for kitchens and baths are easy to
clean, many brands of regular semigloss
wall paint are stain resistant and handle
scrubbing well. Some semigloss paints
can remain sticky even after they've dried,
however, meaning objects can get stuck
to the surface.
The biggest difference we've found
between regular paints and low-VOC
paints is their drying time. Low-VOC
paints dry very fast because they lack
VOCs that slowed drying time. You have
to work quickly to avoid marks from overlapping
roller strokes as well as brush
marks around trim. Brushes and rollers
may be harder to clean after applying a
low-VOC paint.
Recommendations.
Most manufacturers offer three levels
of quality--essentially, good, better, and
best. Decades of tests have clearly shown
that it makes sense to buy top-of-theline
paints.The best paint can improve
your home's appearance and protect it
from the weather for up to 10 years.
EXTERIOR PAINT
The best paint can improve your home's appearance and protect it from the weather for about 9 years.
While a fresh coat of paint on the siding and trim will give your house curb appeal, exterior paint isn't just for show. It provides an important layer of protection against moisture, mildew, and the effects of the sun.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Major brands include Ace, Behr (sold at Home Depot), Benjamin Moore, Dutch Boy, Glidden, Sears, Sherwin-Williams, True Value, and Valspar (sold at Lowe's). You'll also see many brands of paint sold regionally.
Exterior paints come in a variety of sheens. The dullest is flat, followed by low-luster (often called eggshell or satin), semigloss, and gloss. The flatter finishes are best for siding, with the lowest-sheen variety the best choice if you need to mask imperfections. Glossy paint is most often used for trim because it highlights the details of the woodwork and the paint is easy to clean.
Price range: $15 to $40 a gallon.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Our tests of exterior paints are very severe, exposing painted panels on outdoor racks angled to catch the maximum amount of sun. One year of testing is approximately equal to three years of real-life exposure. Generally, most paints will look good for at least three years, and some should look good for about six. Most also do a good job of resisting the buildup of mildew and preventing the wood from cracking. To determine the best paint for your home, consider the following tips.
Buy the best. Our tests have found that the grade of paint matters. "Good" or "economy" grades don't weather as well as top-of-the-line products. Using a cheaper grade of paint means you'll spend more time and money in the long run because you'll need to repaint more often. "Contractor" grades of paint that we've tested in the past also tended to be mediocre.
Consider where you live. Paints of any color accumulate dirt over time. The top-rated paints tended to resist it better than the others; darker colors hide it better.
Mildew can be a problem in damp areas, from rainy Seattle to steamy Tampa, or on any house that gets more shade than sun.
Baking in bright sun can change even the best-quality pigments. Blues and yellows are the most likely to change.
Don't overlook the prep work. Be sure you scrape, sand, and clean the siding thoroughly before applying the paint. Good preparation makes any paint last longer. And plan to apply two coats.
DECK TREATMENTS
The longest-lasting deck treatments are the ones that are the most like paint.
Lumber doesn't fare well unprotected.
The sun's ultraviolet rays are always on
the attack. Rain and sun alternately swell
and dry wood, eventually making it crack
and split. Moisture promotes the growth
of mold and mildew. Even redwood, cedar,
and pressure-treated wood can benefit
from a protective coat. Deck treatments
can be used on fences and siding, too.
Tests show however, that many deck treatments,
particularly clear products, don't offer
more than a year's protection.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Clear finishes are generally water-repellent,
but they don't provide protection
from ultraviolet and visible light. They
let the wood's natural grain show through
but allow the wood to turn gray. Semi-
transparent finishes contain some pigment
but still allow the wood grain to show.
Opaque stains completely mask wood grain.
IMPORTANT FEATURES
Deck treatments may be solvent-based
or water-based. If you use a solvent-based
product, you have to clean your hands and
brushes with mineral spirits. Water-based products
clean up with water. A few products involve
a two-step process, requiring you to apply
a base coat first, and then follow up with
a top coat within a year. Linseed oil and tung
oil, have largely been replaced by synthetic
resins. These new formulations are described
as preservatives, protectors, stabilizers,
repellents, sealers, cleaners, restorers, or
rejuvenators.
How to Choose
Performance differences.
Tests show that opaque products perform
the best overall. The clear finishes are
the worst by far.
Recommendations.
Make an opaque treatment your first
choice, as it offers the best protection.
And because an opaque deck treatment
should last for two to three years, it's
also more economical in the long run.
Consider a semitransparent treatment if
you want the wood grain to show. Be
aware that if you choose a clear deck
treatment, you'll likely be doing the job
over again within a year.
