Posted by Kate Johnson, June 4, 2009
It's been said that "there's nothing more expensive than cheap paint." Nearly everyone is trying to cut back or at least monitor their expenses these days, and one way to do that is to purchase quality products that won't need to be replaced as often. Since Americans tend to move about every four years, many economy paints are formulated to last about that long. But if you plan to stay in your house longer and hope not to have to repaint every few years, you'll want to use a higher quality paint. While it may be more expensive at first, you'll save money, labor, and time in the long run by not having to repaint.
How do you determine quality?
In general, you get what you pay for. More expensive paints are likely to be of higher quality, though there are less costly brands that get high marks from Consumer Reports (such as Home Depot's Behr Premium Plus and Lowe's Valspar Signature Colors). Even within brands, there are varying formulas. The best paint for the job will depend on where the paint will be used (how much sun, traffic, moisture, etc., it will be exposed to), what finish you want, and what type of surface it will cover.
If you are hiring a contractor or designer, they will probably have a preferred brand based on their experience. Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Farrow & Ball, and Pratt & Lambert are a few of the brands frequently used by designers featured in Southern Accents.
If you are doing it yourself, ask your paint dealer for advice, whether it's a local store or an online retailer. Many are quite knowledgeble. (At Fine Paints of Europe, no one with less than 10 years of experience is allowed to answer the phone or deal with clients!) You can also consult ratings by independent organizations, such as Consumer Reports. (I highly recommend subscribing to their Web site for their complete paint ratings and recommendations.) ConsumerSearch collects reviews from Consumer Reports, along with other sources, and offers recommendations based on their picks. Benjamin Moore Aura, Pratt & Lambert Accolade, Home Depot's Behr Premium Plus, and Sherwin-Williams Harmony are currently the site's top 4 choices.
So, what are you paying for?
• Fewer fillers and extender pigments, which add bulk but not color.
• Higher concentrations of prime pigments, which provide color and hide.
• More hiding power; quality paints require fewer coats for complete coverage.
• Resistance to dirt and stains and ease of cleaning.
• Smoother application; quality paints don't leave brush or roller marks.
• Less spattering.
• Less sticking, so surfaces such as doors and jambs have less tendency to stick to each other.
• Better color retention.
• Higher-quality binders--such as acrylic, oil, or alkyds (modified oils)--for resistance to cracking, blistering, and peeling.
• Higher ratio of pigments and binders to liquids.
• Ingredients designed to prevent mildew and prevent spoilage during storage.
So have fun choosing a color, buy the best you can afford and, rest assured, you won't have to do it again for a long time.
Photo: www.furniturehomedesign.com
