How We Tested Interior Paints

If you’ve ever felt like sprucing up your walls with a fresh pop of color, you know that not all paints are created equal. To help separate the winning paints from the losers, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) took a wide array of interior paints and put them through many tests to determine their coverage, fade resistance, cleanability, and much more.

What We Looked for in Paint

Good Housekeeping Research Institute scientists evaluated the paint for:

• Spatter resistance
• Drying time
• Scratch resistance
• Coverage area
• Coverage quality
• UV resistance
• Stain removal
• Color consistency
• Overall quality and texture

How the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Scientists Tested Paint

• The Good Housekeeping Research Institute Scientists tested the paint on its initial ease of application, final appearance quality, long-term durability, and resistance to weathering and fading. Each individual paint was rated both for its ability to cover the specified area, and its ability to hide the primed surface beneath it.
• For each paint, a specific quantitiy was measured and applied to sheetrock, using identical application methods. To test coverage, the area able to be covered by the paint was measured, in addition to its ability to cover the primed sheetrock behind it.
• Spatter was tested by measuring a paint’s tendency to spray off of the roller.
• To evaluate stain resistance, two coats of each paint were laid on primed sheetrock. One batch of stains,(coffee, tomato sauce, crayon, and oil) was left for 5 minutes, and the other set for an hour before removal with all purpose cleaner.
• To evaluate paint’s likelihood to fade over time, samples were placed in a UV accelerated weathering machine and then compared to non-weathered samples.
• To measure resistance to abrasion and scratching, engineers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute used a Taber abrasion machine and subjected each paint sample to 750 cycles.
• Consumers and lab personnel rated the overall finish quality and texture of each paint.

What to Look For When Buying Paint

• Research color choices ahead of time.
• If you’re trying to match a color you find — whether it’s on a piece of clothing, photo, or coffee mug, just bring that item to the paint store. Most large retail stores have paint matching machines that will do the work for you.
• To avoid multiple trips to the hardware store, make sure you buy supplies you might need ahead of time. This includes canvas to cover flooring, plastic to cover windows, painters tape, and a fan for ventilation. If you are using an oil-based paint, you may also need a cleaning solvent to clean up brushes, pans, and inevitable spills.
• Consider low or no-VOC paint (volatile organic compound). They have environmental benefits plus they are a wise choice if you’re sensitive to fumes or your home has poor ventilation. Be aware that although the base paint is low or no-VOC, adding colorant may add VOCs.
• When choosing a finish, consider how the space you are painting is going to be used and the location of the room. Mold and mildew-resistant paints are best for kitchens, bathrooms, and damp basements. If you are painting a child’s play area, look for scratch and stain resistant paints. Paints come in several finishes (matte, flat enamel, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, or glossy). As a general rule, the glossier the paint, the more noticeable imperfections are.
• Buy a small 4oz sample of the color you’re considering and see what it looks like in you home with your lighting. It will be different from how it looks in the store.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/home-products/interior-paint-reviews/how-we-tested-interior-paints

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan