Getting started

Many aspects of paint performance depend more on the quality of the base than on the color. The tint base largely determines the paint's toughness and resistance to dirt and stains, while the colorant determines how much the paint will fade. But you shouldn't need a chemistry degree or a pro painter's experience to buy interior paint. Here's how to pick the right product for the job:

Over the years, we have found that lower grades--typically dubbed good, better, or contractor grade--do not perform as well. If a top-line paint can cover all but the darkest colors in two coats, lower-quality paints might need three or four coats. That makes them a poor value. Avoid blind product loyalty. The Brand X finish you loved the last time you painted is probably not the same as what's on shelves today.

Don't rely on instinct alone. A hue that looks great in the store could turn you off once it's on your walls. Take advantage of the store's color-sampling products and computer programs. Most manufacturers sell 2-ounce sample jars of many paint colors so you can test a paint before buying a large quantity. Manufacturers also offer large color chips, which are easier to use than the conventional small swatches.

Try out samples on different walls and at various times of the day. Fluorescent light enhances blues and greens, but it makes warm reds, oranges, and yellows appear dull. Incandescent light works well with warm colors, but it might not do much for cool ones. Even natural sunlight changes from day to day, room to room, and morning to evening. Color intensifies over large areas, so it's better to go too light than too dark in a given shade.

Manufacturers are reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds--the noxious chemicals that make paint smell like paint--in their products, in response to new federal standards. VOCs can cause acute symptoms, including headaches and dizziness, and some might be carcinogens. Some manufacturers make low-VOC paints that comply with the even-tougher standards set by California's regional South Coast Air Quality Management District. The earliest versions lacked the durability and sheen selection of higher-VOC finishes, but companies are now making top-quality low-VOC paint. A handful of paints claim to contain no VOCs at all, but none of the ones we tested scored well. You'll find the VOC level listed on the can.

Types

The gloss level affects perception of color. Flat paints (and textured walls) absorb light, so colors seem darker. Glossy paints and smooth surfaces reflect, so colors look brighter. The degree of glossiness may differ from one manufacturer to another. Here are the types of interior paints to consider.

Flat finishes hide imperfections well. But they're not the most stain resistant, so they're best in a decorative setting such as a formal living room, dining room, or other space that doesn't see heavy use.

Often called eggshell or satin, these finishes have a slight sheen. Use them only on smooth, well-prepared surfaces, since their shine can accentuate imperfections on the wall. Low-luster paints are best for family rooms, kids' rooms, hallways, and the like. Some might change sheen when scrubbed.

Shinier still, these paints are formulated to stand up to water and scrubbing. They're generally the easiest to clean, so they're ideal for kitchen and bathroom walls, windowsills, and other woodwork. Like low-luster paints, semigloss paints require a smooth, well-prepared surface with few imperfections. Some semigloss paints might change sheen when scrubbed.

Features

While most of the paints we tested rated very good or excellent overall, the majority scored poor or fair in at least one category. Check our Ratings (available to subscribers) and decide on the paint performance features most important to your application.

If you're changing walls from dark to light, you'll need a paint that's good at hiding. Many new paints can cover a contrasting color with a single coat. But for best coverage, we still recommend using two coats, even with a top-rated paint.

Paint should dry smooth, without showing brush marks. Scores for low-luster and semigloss paint ranged from excellent to fair. Three flat products scored poor.

While most low-luster and semigloss paints were very good or excellent at resisting stains, several flat paints managed only a fair or poor score.

Nearly all the paints of all types scored excellent or very good in our tests.

The flat paints generally excelled here, while most low-luster and semigloss paints fared poorly.

Some paints never seem to dry completely. They can make a window difficult to open, or cause books to stick to a shelf. Most flat paints dried well, while a few semigloss paints were prone to sticking.

This is an especially important consideration in a kitchen, bath, or damp basement room. No particular type of paint showed a clear advantage in this test.

Fading has long been a problem, resulting in walls that become lighter over time as they're exposed to sunlight. But manufacturers appear to be improving the fade resistance of their paints. For a sunny room, resistance to fading may be a prime consideration. Whites and browns tend not to fade; reds and blues fade somewhat; bright greens and yellows tend to fade a lot.