Wood stains shape both the look and longevity of outdoor surfaces while highlighting the natural character of the material. For the 2026 Exterior Stain Color of the Year, Taupe introduces a balanced neutral that blends soft brown and gentle gray undertones for a refined, versatile finish perfect for your clients’ outdoor spaces.   [caption id="attachment_2138" align="alignnone" width="7970"] House body: Spanish Sand, wood deck: Taupe (solid wood stain), roof trim: Baronial Brown, fence: Taupe (semi-transparent wood stain)[/caption] ​    The balanced blend of muted tones brings subtle color to exterior surfaces, allowing the natural wood grain to show through for a timeless finish. The versatility of Taupe helps to create cohesive residential or commercial outdoor environments across a wide range of exterior applications, making it easy to carry a consistent look across different project types.     [caption id="attachment_2137" align="alignnone" width="4167"] Taupe Featured in Solid Color (SC-153) & Semi-Transparent (SC-153) Stain[/caption]   Both solid and semi-transparent finishes offer a polished look on decks, fences, porches, patio ceilings, railings and more.   [caption id="attachment_2136" align="alignnone" width="7514"] House body: Taupe, wood deck: Taupe, ceiling: Chocolate (Semi-transparent Wood Stain), railing: BLACK (Spray Paint)[/caption]   Apply Taupe in a semi-transparent finish to highlight the natural character of the wood while adding contrast and dimension across the surface.   Or choose Taupe in a solid finish for outdoor structures to create a strong architectural feature that anchors the surrounding space.   [caption id="attachment_2139" align="alignnone" width="6160"] House body: Boreal, trim: ULTRA PURE WHITE®, deck: Cordovan Brown, railings & pergola: Taupe (Solid Wood Stain)[/caption]     Outdoor Accent Color Collection   This year’s Exterior Stain Color of the Year launches alongside the Outdoor Accent Color Collection, a curated palette of 18 exterior paint colors designed to complement Taupe and personalize outdoor spaces whether it’s a residential or commercial location, making it easier to tailor each job to your client’s style.       Taupe acts as a grounding neutral for larger exterior wood surfaces such as decks, fencing, siding, and pergolas. While Outdoor Accent Color Collection introduces intentional pops of color for doors, shutters, trim, and outdoor décor, creating a cohesive, customized look across each project.   [caption id="attachment_2141" align="alignnone" width="6000"] House body: Boreal, trim: ULTRA PURE WHITE®, deck: Cordovan Brown, railings & pergola: Taupe (Solid Wood Stain)[/caption]   To support quick updates on the job, select colors from the collection are also available in spray paint, offering a convenient way to introduce coordinated accents and refresh patio furniture, planters, and outdoor accessories.   [caption id="attachment_2135" align="alignnone" width="6800"] House body: Muted Sage, floor: Taupe SC-153, trim: ULTRA PURE WHITE®, swing: Park Picnic[/caption]   The 2026 Exterior Stain Color of the Year and Outdoor Accent Color Collection is available exclusively at The Home Depot. Consumers can find Taupe in a variety of BEHR® products, including the #1 rated exterior stain, according to a leading independent consumer publication, BEHR PREMIUM® Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer. The color is also available in BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer, BEHR® DECKplus Waterproofing Wood Stain, BEHR® Solid Color House & Fence Wood Stain, and BEHR PREMIUM® ADVANCED DECKOVER®.   To explore the 2026 Exterior Stain Color of the Year and the Outdoor Accent Color Collection, visit behr.com/2026staincoty.  

Older homes possess a charm loved by many. While the history and unique details make them attractive to homebuyers, they also make repairs and repaints more challenging for pros. Each project requires astute problem-solving skills and knowledge of products and standards to ensure success.   Peter Schumerth, VP of Product Management, discusses four common problems and strategies to help you restore that old beauty.   Get RRP Certified   Lead-based paint might not be on the shelves anymore, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hiding on the walls of older homes.   “Painting contractors disturbing the coating on any home that was built pre-1978 require a Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Certification*,” says Schumerth.   The certification ensures that those working on older homes and potentially dealing with lead-based paint are up to date on the latest rules and best practices surrounding testing, hazards, safety, containment, documentation, and disposal.   Properly Handle Mold and Mildew   Mold and mildew are not uncommon, especially in older homes. When you find the telltale signs of mold or mildew (discoloration, smells, peeling paint, warped substrate, etc.), first things first: Ensure the source of the moisture is fixed.   Next, it’s time to remove the mold and mildew.   “There are many ‘mold-killing primers’ out there,” says Schumerth. “This can create the perception that you can slap the primer on over the mold and mildew, and you are good to go.”   While the mildewcide in these products will help fight both in the future, you need to remove any mold and mildew present before priming. Remove mildew stains with a mildew stain removing product. Commercially available mildew cleaners will do the trick.     Assess the Current Coatings   With older homes, you do not always get to start with a fresh new palette. You can try to talk your clients into taking it down to bare substrate, but time and budget rarely allow that option. This means that each layer of built-up coating has the potential to affect your finished project, requiring additional consideration when choosing prep steps and selecting a paint.**   Start with a thorough assessment of the surface to check for adhesion issues. “You can do this by making a simple ‘X’ mark with a razor (cut as deep as you can and in multiple locations), then do the tape test,” advises Schumerth. “This test allows you to evaluate the integrity of the layers underneath.”   Paint coming up with the tape indicates an adhesion issue. Depending on how large an area peels, you’ll need to either spot sand and prime or do a full sand and prime to ensure you have a smooth, sound surface for your topcoat.   Choose the Right Paint   Each new layer of paint creates tension on existing coatings. Even if your topcoat adheres beautifully to the coating immediately beneath, you need the bridge between each coating below it to hold as well.   “For older homes, I recommend BEHR PREMIUM PLUS® due to its lower binder content. Higher binder and resin content can create more tension, causing additional adhesion stress on the coatings beneath it,” says Schumerth.   While older homes require knowledge and diligence from a pro painter, painting older homes can be a very rewarding and lucrative market.   To learn more about Behr’s products, contact your BEHR Pro Rep.   *This blog is for informational purposes only and contractors are responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.   ** If you encounter significant mold, water damage, or structural concerns, consult a licensed professional to assess current conditions before proceeding. The guidance provided here is intended for general informational purposes only and may not apply to all situations.  

For homeowners, beautifully painted cabinets can be a great source of pride. For painting pros, they can showcase exceptional skill, product knowledge, and attention to detail. However, these projects are notoriously unforgiving, especially when steps are skipped or improper products are selected. Check out this list of pro tips to ensure you and your crew are prepped to do the job right.   Customer Prep All jobs start with excellent prep, and the first prep step is fully understanding the expectations, current conditions, and potential challenges. Start by finding out the level of finish that the customer expects.   “It depends on what the paying customer wants. You’ll choose different products depending on whether they want a factory finish or a basic repaint to spruce up the cabinets,” says Ed Edrosa, Senior Product Manager for Behr Paint.   Many contractors offer an array of products and finish levels, so the customer can choose an option that meets their needs and budget. If you only do high-end projects and are unwavering in your quality standards, create a strong qualifying process to identify the prospects who can afford your level of work.     Before giving an estimate, inspect for defects that could add additional prep work to the project. High levels of grease, dents/holes, mixed materials, and wood species that require grain filler are a few examples of things to look for. Prepare for sneaky challenges that often pop up once the project is in process. Many contractors recommend a clause in the contract that addresses how unforeseen challenges will be handled.   Job Site Prep A well-planned job site helps the job move along efficiently, ensures that everyone stays safe, and that everything in the home stays clean and damage-free.   Overspray: Since most cabinets will be sprayed, all surfaces not being sprayed should be properly covered to protect them from overspray. Ventilation/PPE: Properly train crew members and ensure use of appropriate PPE. Set up your site for proper ventilation and air filtration. Lighting: Good lighting is critical to ensure that nothing is missed during prep and you can quickly see any imperfections in the coating that need attention. Transportation: If you are taking drawers and doors off-site to a shop, don’t forget to wrap and secure them to protect the items from damage.   Surface Prep Grease and oil are common in kitchens, and they wreak havoc on paint. Begin with a good old-fashioned cleaning. Grease cutters like Dawn dish soap, TSP, and, in tough situations, denatured alcohol are good go-tos. Inspect and scrape the cabinets, and clean all their nooks and crannies.   Sanding strategy and primer choice are situational. Generally, a three-coat system with a scuff sand before each coat will give you a quality result. Follow these steps:   Sand Prime Sand Coat one Sand Coat two   Remove dust with a vacuum cleaner after sanding, and wipe all surfaces with a wet rag or tack cloth.   Choose a primer that is formulated for your specific situation. For instance, if you are painting enamel over previously painted cabinets, “our BEHR® Kitchen, Bath & Trim Stain-Blocking Primer & Sealer will do the trick,” says Edrosa. This primer blocks medium-to-heavy stains and is perfect for properly prepped glossy surfaces. However, if you are working on something like melamine cabinets, it’s better to use a bonding primer like BEHR Interior/Exterior Bonding Primer for its high-adhesion qualities. Paint “Not every paint can be used on cabinets,” warns Edrosa. Even once old grease is removed, the new coating needs to hold up to future grease. “The oils soften the paint film, so if you don’t use the right paint, you can end up with something that looks good, but you’ll get a callback in a few months because the paint is softening and accumulating dirt.” Cabinet paints are formulated with special resins designed to resist grease and prevent staining. While it is possible, it’s rare to see a successful cabinet job that doesn’t use spraying as its primary application method. “Technique plays a big part in a beautiful and lasting result,” says Edrosa.     Before spraying, always strain the paint to remove impurities that can clog the tip or spray debris with your topcoat. It’s best to apply two thinner coats as opposed to one thick coat.   Build a System It might seem impossible to create a system that handles the wide array of substrates, expectations, and challenges that come with painting cabinets, but if you establish standard operating procedures around what you see most and build flexibility into contracts for unknown unknowns, you can take a lot of stress out of the job.     Set your standard offers and price, and only take on those gnarly jobs when you are sure you are ready for them (and up-charging for them).   Cabinets, while more challenging than a lot of other repaint work, are popular and lucrative projects. It’s worth the time and effort to become known for your excellent cabinet work.   To learn more about Behr’s cabinet products, contact your local BEHR Pro Rep.