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For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports conducts ongoing comprehensive testing of exterior paint. Testers simulate the aging process to learn about endurance. The intention is great, but the process is slow -- it takes one year… to simulate three years of aging. Editors evaluate appearance after simulated three-, six- and nine-year periods. They also evaluate resistance to dirt, mildew and color changing. Both paints and stains are tested. Major national brands are evaluated, as are some regional brands, which fare near the top in ratings. Regional brands are important to include, because they're often formulated for local weather conditions. The editors advise consumers not to let several dollars more per gallon sway them toward lesser-grade paints and stains. Such thriftiness, they caution, could cost much more in the long run.
by Forum members
The painting section of this forum is frequented by many professionals. Many of the hundreds of threads are relevant, such as "Favorite Paint Brand," "Behr Premium Plus," "Sherwin-Williams Duration Paint,"… "Best Exterior Paint," "Paint recommendations?" "Glidden Paint?" and "Permanizer vs Duration vs Iron Clad." Contractors have some clear brand preferences, and many express having used a variety of brands in their work. The lamenting of rising fuel costs, associated with labor and product production and transport, are also a regular refrain.
by Forum members
Contractors and do-it-yourselfers seeking free professional advice frequent this forum. Several threads address which brands of exterior paint and primer to buy. In the process, the Consumer Reports… coverage of paint is critiqued and criticized from a professional perspective. In the opinions by contractors, no brand emerges as a consensus favorite, but Behr paint is widely disparaged. Several contractors mention several brands that they use and point out that DIYers can choose a level of quality within a brand.
by Forum members
Similar to the previous two entries, this forum draws a collection of novices and professionals exchanging war stories, sharing tips on products and techniques, and generally talking shop. Many posters… frequent all three sites, and the content is accordingly comparable, with some posts appearing in each site. Unique scenarios, discussions and problems do arise in each respective forum. Several self-identified professionals regard Consumer Reports' recent batch of testing with suspicion, because the magazine's recommendations have shifted from what they see as several lowly regarded Behr products to comparable, if perhaps slightly better, products from Wal-mart and Lowe's.
by Nick Bajzek
This trade journal article is primarily a chart devoted to the premise that "what builders used for their own homes is ultimately a testament to the many products available on the market today." The chart… lists the brand of building materials used by five builders in every category of construction. In many cases, the builder didn't report which brand he used. The premise has validity, but the information is skimpy. For example, Nick Bajzek doesn't let readers know when the houses were built. More important, the chart shows "Paints/Stains" as a category, but doesn't specify interior or exterior. Two of the four reporting builders used Sherwin-Williams.
by Contributors to OurFixerUpper.com
Our Fixer Upper is a website started by people who are remodeling their home. The proprietors query their readers about self-priming exterior paint, and the discussion evolves into identifying the best and… worst exterior house paints. About 25 readers contribute their opinions based on what they've used. Some claim to have painted many houses. Valspar fares especially well in this forum, perhaps because the original question was about Valspar paint. Behr has some supporters and a couple of strong detractors.
by Miriam Landman
GreenHomeGuide.com is a specialty website devoted to green building materials for homeowners. The site has an advisory board composed of scientists, and subject editors have expertise in specific… categories. All reviewed products are recommended, and not in any way distinguished from each other. The very short reviews only address environmental considerations; paint quality is apparently not a consideration for recommendation. It is unclear, in most reviews and overviews, whether products are available for exterior use.
by Bob Formisano
Bob Formisano, About.com's Guide to Home Repair, provides an informational article, rather than a review. Formisano recommends three brands -- Benjamin Moore, Behr and Sherwin-Williams -- and goes on to… suggest that readers "look on the side of the can for about 45% pigment and resins per volume." Formisano's general expertise is impressive, but his recommendations would carry much more weight with some explanation or reference to testing and specific experience. (Note that ConsumerSearch and About.com are owned by the same parent company, but they are not affiliated editorially.)
by Jenni Smith
by Duane Johnson
by Jim Neidner
by Jim
by Contributors to Lowes.com
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
The Home Depot encourages user reviews, the bulk of which are positive. The major drawback with reviews on this site, and others like it, is their credibility. In this anonymous forum, most respondents… appear to be do-it-yourselfers who lack the experience professionals have with numerous products. If you take what is being said at face value, though, the products appear to have worked out well in many home improvement projects.
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This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.
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Valspar 027.0001420.007 Color Changing Ceiling Paint
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Olympic-ppg Architectural 59620A/01 Premium Acrylic Latex Stain 1gal - Cedar
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