Interior Paint Reviews

In its June 2007 issue, Consumer Reports published the best comparative review we found on interior paint. Editors tested over 60 different interior paints, concluding that no one paint does everything well. Consumer Reports rates each brand of paint on its ability to hide imperfections, along with how smoothly it goes on, how well it resists stains, and how easy it is to clean. Paints are also evaluated for gloss change and fading.

Jim's Home Repair Stuff lists best and worst paint brands, but their testing methods are not made clear. We also found an article on interior paint written by a homeowner association, which mainly consists of interviews with professional painters on alternative paints. About.com site guide Coral Nafie recommends eight interior paint manufacturers. Her picks appear based on experience and industry knowledge rather than objective tests, but they do correspond with what we found in other reviews. We found a lot of good general information from the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, including advice on how to choose a color, how to fix common painting problems and information on the latest painting trends.

Especially interesting is the advice we found in home-improvement forums and community websites, where professional painters make recommendations based on extensive personal experience. Some painters have tried a wide variety of paint. Eco-paint is a hot topic these days. Many new interior paint brands are low-odor, with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs emit a breathable gas when applied, are known to diminish air quality and may be a health hazard. Fumes can cause eye and throat irritation, as well as headaches, nausea and dizziness. Although it's more expensive, low-odor, no VOC interior paint can make painting much more pleasant, and many types perform as well as regular latex paints. Keep in mind that not all zero-VOC paints are odor free.

Professionals say that one reason they like Sherwin-Williams paints is that they are exclusively available in Sherwin-Williams stores. That means you're more likely to be served by someone who's very knowledgeable about the brand's paints. In general, experts say you'll get more attention and better service in a paint store than in a big-box or chain hardware store.

Sherwin-Williams' Harmony paint (*est. $37 per gallon) is notable because it's a low odor, no-VOC paint. In tests for The Green Guide, Kate Harris finds that Harmony goes on as easily as regular latex paint, offers similar coverage, and comes in a wide range of custom colors. Some natural and no VOC paints come in a more limited palette. Duration Home paints are also low odor, with low VOCs (but not zero VOCs).  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

We found more general buyer's advice on paint than we did reviews based on comparison testing. In the most comprehensive tests, most paint is shown to go on smoothly, but there are variations in color fastness. Consumer Reports does not rate paint for odor or VOCs, but we found lots of commentary for low-odor, low or no VOC, and natural paints, which are now alternatives worth considering. Behr Premium Plus gets the best reviews in formal testing, but Valspar American Tradition paints are more color-fast. We found very good comments for Sherwin-Williams Harmony paint, a low-odor, zero-VOC paint, even though it's pricier than others.