The best exterior paints stand up to all weather conditions

The unpredictable weather that's assailed much of the nation this year might make it hard to get dressed in the morning. But you can always put on extra layers or pack a rain coat. Your home, on the other hand, has to make do with the same exterior finish no matter the conditions. Wild temperature swings, which cause wood and other siding materials to expand and contract, are particularly tough on paint, prompting less-flexible formulas to peel and flake. Consumer Reports' exterior paint test was designed with this variability in mind, so the products we recommend should perform predictably well in all conditions.

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