Exterior Paint: What To Look For

Reviewers say the following about shopping for exterior house paint.

• Spend more now to spend less long term. Experts say that a top-quality paint will last several times longer than a cheap one. If you plan to keep your house for years, or hope to sell it without having to repaint again, premium paint is a better long-term value. It's also cheaper and easier to maintain. The labor involved in painting your home costs far more than the paint, so spending an extra $50 or $100 on good paint can be a drop in the bucket.

• Buy five-gallon buckets. You'll need many gallons, and the economy size is cheaper per gallon than one-gallon cans, according to Consumer Reports. However, when we checked with retailers, we found the savings is typically less than a dollar per gallon.

• Get any color you want. Many paints can be tinted in nearly infinite variations of colors. If you want to match your existing color, bring paint, a chip or a picture to the store. Paint sellers have equipment that tells them which colors to blend to make an exact color match. This does not cost extra.

• If you're uncertain about color, buy some test paints. Many retailers sell miniscule pre-mixed containers of paint for this purpose. You can see how a color dries on your house before buying massive quantities.

• Match the existing type of paint, if possible. Experts generally say to use oil (alkyd) over oil or latex (acrylic) over latex. If that's not a consideration, buy acrylic paint.

• Don't try to compare ingredients. Manufacturers aren't required to divulge all the contents of paint, and exact formulas are trade secrets for competitive reasons. Experts say to buy paints with more solids that are more finely ground, but you won't be able to make a formal comparison without chemical analysis.

• Consider your special needs. Experts say that different formulations are best for different prevailing needs. If, for example, you need paint with exceptional adhesion or fade resistance, discuss that with your paint salesperson or contractor.

• Choose the degree of luster you want. The main choices are flat, semi-gloss and gloss. The marketing terminology varies among brands, and can be confusing. Paints marketed as "satin" and "eggshell" have more luster than flat, but less than semi-gloss. Glossier paints often cost more than flatter paints.

• Consider low-VOC paints. Health problems from paint fumes aren't a major concern when painting outdoors, but VOCs do harm air quality. Better paints historically have higher concentrations of VOCs, but professionals say that technology is improving, and the situation is changing. Manufacturers do specify the amounts of VOCs in paint. Other potentially harmful chemicals aren't usually specified. Acrylic paint is safer than alkyd paint. Unfortunately, we didn't see any of these included in hands-on tests.

• Consider low-odor paints. Paint odors (or possibly chemicals) bother some people. They can cause headaches or nausea. If you've had past problems and will be doing your own painting, a low-odor paint could be a solution. GreenHomeGuide.com has recommendations, and some paints are marketed as low-odor, but your best bet is probably doing your own testing in a specialty store.