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C O N S U me R R ep O R T S b U Y I N G G U I de 2 0 1 4
Quick Guide
PAINTS, INTERIOR
Many recommended paints are self-priming, so you can paint directly over old nishes and wallboard. While one coat might do, a second coat will give a richer, more even nish. What to look for
Flat paint for a formal living room, dining room, or other space that doesnt see heavy use, because it isnt the most stain resistant Eggshell or satin for family rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, kids rooms, hallways, and the like Semi-gloss for windowsills, trim, and other woodwork to add contrast. (While typically stain resistant, many semigloss paints will dull when cleaned.)
What to skip
Bright greens and yellows for sun-drenched rooms, because these colors tend to fade a lot; whites and browns are better choices
What youll pay
Shopping tip
Manufacturer and retailer websites offer color-choosing tools, rebates, and deals.
About $20 to $68 per gallon. Each gallon covers about 400 square feet of smooth wall; rougher surfaces will require a bit more paint.
For more buying advice, go to ConsumerReports.org/paint
Scan this or see how, page 11
Price
Overall score
Features Resists mildew Resists sticking Resists fading Claimed VOCs (grams/liter) 50 50 50 0
0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E
n 1 d
&N &N &C &N &N &M &N &M &N &N &M &M &C &N &M &M &N &N &N &M
n 2 d n 3 d n 4 c
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Price
Overall score
Features Resists mildew Resists sticking Resists fading Claimed VOCs (grams/liter) 0 50 50 0 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 0
0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E
n 5 d n c n c n c
&M &M &M &N &C &M &N &C &N &M &M &N &C &N &C &M &M &V &N &M &M &C &N &C &M
n 6 d
7 8 9
n 1 d
Clark + Kensington Satin Enamel (Ace) Moore Aura n 2 Benjamin d Satin n 3 Kilz Casual Colors Satin d Premium Satin n 4 Glidden c (Home Depot) Premium Plus Ultra n 5 Behr d Satin Enamel (Home Depot) One Satin n 6 Olympic c Enamel (Lowes) n 7 Glidden Duo Eggshell c Signature Satin n 8 Valspar d (Lowes) Moore Regal n 9 Benjamin d Select Eggshell n 10 Ace Royal Interiors Satin c n 11 Valspar + Satin (Lowes) d
&N &N &M &N &N &N &N &M &N &M &N &N &M &N &C &M &N &N &N &C &M &N &C &N &M &M &N &N &N &C &M &N &N &N &V &M &N &C &N &C &M &N &M &N &V &M &N &C &N &N &M &N &N &N &C
Ratings Key NExcellent MVery good 3Good 2Fair 1Poor c CR Best Buy These models offer the best combination of performance and price. All are recommended. d Recommended These are high-performing models that stand out.
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C O N S U me R R ep O R T S b U Y I N G G U I de 2 0 1 4
Price
Overall score
Features Resists mildew Resists sticking Resists fading Claimed VOCs (grams/liter) 50 50 50 50 50 0 50 0 50 0
0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E
n 1 d
Clark + Kensington Semi-Gloss Enamel (Ace) Premium Plus Ultra n 2 Behr d Semi-Gloss Enamel (Home Depot) Signature n 3 Valspar d Semi-Gloss (Lowes) Moore Aura n 4 Benjamin d Semi-Gloss Royal Interiors n 5 Ace c Semi-Gloss Brilliance n 6 Glidden c Semi-Gloss (Walmart) Premium n 7 Glidden c Semi-Gloss (Home Depot) Homes and n 8 Better c Gardens Semi-Gloss (Walmart) n 9 Glidden Duo Semi-Gloss c Moore Natura n 10 Benjamin d Semi-Gloss
SEmI-gLoss
$33 34 35 68 28 26 26 26 27 57
85 84 82 80 77 77 76 76 75 75
&N &N &C &N &N &M &N &N &N &N &N &N &V &N &M &N &N &C &N &M &M &N &M &N &M &N &N &M &N &C &M &N &C &N &C &M &N &N &N &V &M &N &N &N &C & N M & C & N & N &
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Quick Guide
PAINTS, EXTERIOR
Home centers are the go-to place for top paints, with Home Depots Behr and Lowes Valspar leading our Ratings. But independent brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams also make our recommended list.
Shopping tip
Pros often get special rates from independent retailers, but make sure the brand they like aced our tests.
Flat and satin finishes for siding. Flat hides flaws while satin adds a touch of gloss Shinier semi-gloss for doors, windows, trim, and shutters for visual contrast Mildew resistance for shady spots; fade resistance for sunny ones; dirt resistance for urban areas
What to skip
as top-of-the-line products from the same brand . Many top paints are low-priced Buying strictly by brand, since manufacturers often reformulate paints to comply with tougher regulations
What youll pay
The best values range from about $25 to $40 per gallon; buying 5-gallon containers can save you even more.
For more buying advice, go to ConsumerReports.org/paint
Price
Overall score
Test results
0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E
Appearance after 3 years Appearance after 6 years Appearance after 9 years Resists cracking Resists color change
$37 80 44 79 67 79 25 77 22 77
100
100
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Price
Overall score
Test results
Features Resists dirt Resists mildew VOCs (grams/liter) 100 100 48 107 50 50 150 53 48
0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E
(Home Depot) Valspar Ultra Flat (Lowes) Valspar DuraMax Flat (Lowes) Sherwin-Williams Resilience Flat
$26 76 28 75 37 74 59 70
n 1 d
SAtIN
Behr Premium Plus Ultra Satin Enamel (Home Depot) Behr Premium Plus Satin Enamel (Home Depot) Benjamin Moore Aura Low Lustre Sherwin-Williams Duration Satin Glidden Premium Satin (Home Depot) Glidden Spred Satin Valspar DuraMax Satin (Lowes) California Paints Fres-Coat Satin Gloss Sears WeatherBeater Ultra Satin Sherwin-Williams Resilience Satin Valspar Ultra Satin (Lowes) Kilz Casual Colors Satin 39 82 28 79 68 79 68 78 25 75 27 75 39 72 48
72
n 2 c n 3 d n 4 d n 5 c n 6 c
7 8 9 10 11 12
Appearance after 3 years Appearance after 6 years Appearance after 9 years Resists cracking Resists color change
100
&N &N &N &N &N &N &M &N &M &M &N & N
&N &M &M &N &M &M &M &M &M &M &M & M
&M &M &M &M &M &M &M &M &M &C &C & V
50 100 50
150
44 71 63 70 30 70 30 63
150 50
Ratings Key NExcellent MVery good 3Good 2Fair 1Poor c CR Best Buy These models offer the best combination of performance and price. All are recommended. d Recommended These are high-performing models that stand out.
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Price
Overall score
Test results
0 100 P | F | G | Vg | E
(Lowes) Premium Plus n 2 Behr d Ultra Semi-Gloss Enamel (Home Depot) n 3 Sherwin-Williams d Duration Semi-Gloss Premium Plus Semi-Gloss n 4 Behr c Enamel (Home Depot) n 5 Glidden Spred Semi-Gloss c 6 Benjamin Moore Aura Semi-Gloss 7 Glidden Premium Semi-Gloss (Home Depot) 8 Valspar Ultra Semi-Gloss (Lowes) 9 Kilz Casual Colors Semi-Gloss
$40 80 40 79 69 76 29 75 28 74 68 70 27 69 31 66 31
63
Appearance after 3 years Appearance after 6 years Appearance after 9 years Resists cracking Resists color change
150
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