EmailBest Reviewed
Exterior Paint
- Best exterior house paint Sherwin-Williams Duration *Est. $50
- Best value exterior house paint Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint *Est. $42
- Budget exterior house paint Valspar Ultra Premium *Est. $25
- Exterior house stain Olympic Premium Stain *Est. $20
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Exterior house stain
- Durable compared with other stains
- Resists dirt and mildew
- 12-year warranty
- Inexpensive
- Not recommended for decks
- Limited availability
- No stain lasts as long as paint
According to reviews, Olympic Premium Stain is excellent at resisting cracking, fading, dirt and mildew. Testers say Olympic Premium Stain endures longer than other stains, but experts agree that most paint will outlast even the best stain. Reviewers note that Olympic Premium Stain (not to be confused with a similar Olympic paint product also called Premium) can be hard to find, since it is sold only by a limited number of independent retailers. Olympic Premium comes in two versions: Olympic Solid Color Premium Acrylic Stain and Olympic Semi-Transparent Premium Acrylic Stain. Both are recommended for siding and fences, but not horizontal surfaces like decks. If you would prefer a durable exterior paint at a comparable price, reviews recommend Valspar Ultra Premium (*est. $25 per gallon or $116 for five gallons).
We found the best review at Consumer Reports, which tests and ranks 22 exterior stains. Reports in The Seattle Times and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are also by the editors of Consumer Reports and provide basic information on picking the best stains. Both articles mention Olympic Premium.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Consumer Reports conducts ongoing comprehensive testing of exterior paint and stains, simulating wear after three, six and nine years. Two Olympic stains are ranked, but the ratings chart is for subscribers only.
Review: Exterior Paints & Stains, Editors of Consumer Reports, June 2008
This article by the editors of Consumer Reports appears on the Seattle Times' website. It provides basic information on paints and stains and identifies Olympic Premium as a stain that holds up well over the long haul. The information is abbreviated, but it's one way for non subscribers to read some of Consumer Reports' results.
Review: Buying tips for exterior house paints and stains, Editors of Consumer Reports, June 14, 2008
This older article by the editors of Consumer Reports appears on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's website. Several Olympic stains are mentioned, including Olympic Premium, which kept up its good appearance after the equivalent of nine years of testing, and also resisted dirt and color change well.
Review: Shop smart: When doing deck, paints best stains, Editors of Consumer Reports, June 11, 2006
Exterior Paint Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
