In a quest to find the best exterior paint for homes, I embarked on a comprehensive three-year experiment. My goal was to determine which paint provided the best resistance to fading and peeling, issues that many homeowners face. I tested eight different paints from some of the largest manufacturers available in my area, including Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, PPG, and Behr.

I’ve included a video showing the results at the bottom of this blog if you prefer to watch instead of read.

The Experiment

To conduct the experiment, I painted a series of siding boards, using a coat of primer on some and no primer on others, followed by two coats of paint. This was done to see if the use of primer and multiple coats would make a difference in the paint’s durability. I also tested two different colors to observe any variations in performance. Additionally, I painted 2x4s made of pinewood and exposed all these samples to the elements on a flat, horizontal surface. This method accelerates the weathering process, as these surfaces are exposed to sunlight all day long, unlike the vertical sides of a house.

Interestingly, while many of today’s paints come with lifetime warranties, they typically exclude flat horizontal surfaces and fading from their coverage. Over the course of three years, I documented the results, observing which paints maintained their color, sheen, and resisted dirt accumulation and peeling.

Unexpected Winner & Surprising Results

At the end of the experiment, one paint clearly stood out: PPG Permanizer. It experienced the least amount of color shift or fading and retained its sheen the best. It resisted dirt and dust accumulation, and experience almost no peeling. This result surprised me and wasn’t what I wanted, as I had never recommended or used this paint before. I am now convinced of its quality and plan to use it going forward.

 

 

Another possible more surprising outcome was that the second-best performer was the most cost-effective paint I tested: Behr Pro e600. This was so unexpected and surprising because I tested three Behr paints in total—Premium Plus, Marquee, and the more affordable Pro e600. Surprisingly, Pro e600 outperformed the more expensive options.

 

Additional Findings

One interesting observation was that multiple coats of paint did help reduce fading, particularly with the blue color tested. This indicates that a thicker layer can indeed provide better protection against UV rays.

Another interesting test I conducted involved an additive called Lumen, made by a company called Encore Coatings. This product had bold claims, such as being guaranteed not to fade and having a transferable lifetime warranty if you sell your property. To my amazement, it significantly improved the performance of the five different paints I tested it with. Unfortunately, when I went to buy more, I found that it was no longer available. The company explained that one of the polymers in the formula became unavailable due to supply chain issues. I hope they can source the ingredients again in the future, as I definitely wanted to use it on my own house.

Conclusion

This rigorous three-year experiment highlighted the importance of choosing the right paint for longevity and aesthetics. PPG’s Permanizer emerged as a top recommendation for those facing similar climatic challenges, proving that sometimes the most effective products are the ones you least expect.

Based on my experiment, my rankings are as follows:

1. PPG Permanizer

2. Behr Pro E600

3. Behr Marquee and Sherwin-Williams Emerald (tie)

4. Benjamin Moore Aura

It’s important to note that these results are specific to the Colorado climate, and performance may vary in different environments. I hope you find these test results as fascinating and informative as I did. Stay tuned for future updates as I continue to test and refine my findings.

Watch the Detailed Experiment: To see the experiment in action and gain more detailed insights, watch the full video here. Your feedback and any questions are highly encouraged, so please share your thoughts in the comments!

For expert painting services or to get personalized advice on selecting the right paint for your home, feel free to contact us.