Here are some specialty coatings to consider, and a few that deserve some extra caution.
No-fade paint: NeverFade (shown here, about $90 per gallon;
NeverFade) contains Kynar Aquatec, a water-based resin guaranteed to resist UV degradation for 15 years. Must be applied by a company-certified contractor.
Natural paint: Linseed Paint (about $160 per 0.85 gallon;
Solvent Free Paint) has no solvents, petroleum, VOCs, or toxic ingredients. Three coats should last 50 years. Made from an age-old recipe using only boiled linseed oil and ground-up minerals.
Waterborne oil: Eco (about $50 per liter;
Fine Paints of Europe) is an oil paint you clean up with soap and water. More flexible and fade resistant than regular oils but not as smooth. Not for use on porch floors.
Gelled oil: In the can, Trim & Door (about $20 per quart;
Glidden) has the consistency of mousse, so it won't drip, yet it levels out to a beautiful, even shine.
Self-priming paint: It's sold as a step-saver, but then it might take more coats to get the right opacity and sheen. About $25 per gallon from various manufacturers.
Liquid-vinyl siding: This thick coating, sprayed on by a pro, is warranted for 25 years or more, depending on the franchise that applies it. At $3.50 to $5 per square foot, it's double the cost of a professional paint job.
Solid-color stain: Sold widely as an easy-to-apply coating with a perfectly flat sheen. Forms a thin film that allows underlying texture to show through, but it's not as durable as paint. About $30 per gallon from various manufacturers.
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