The 3 Paint Brands To Avoid Buying (& Better Alternatives)
For certain items, choosing the cheaper or off-brand version of a product doesn't make much of a difference. However, when it comes to paint, "you get what you pay for" is an accurate statement. Choosing poor-quality brands means you have to repaint more often, and the colors sometimes don't match up or will be inconsistent between cans. They can also be thinner or clumpier, leading to uneven patches, which are just some of the issues Farrow and Ball, Behr, and Valspar are reported to have based on reviews.
This is why it's important to buy a trustworthy brand. They usually have better quality control to help you get closer to getting the perfect match every time (though shopping around for paint may be a mistake because color matching might not be as exact between stores). They are also so durable that you can often go 10 or more years without having to repaint.
Unfortunately, it's not always easy to know which paint companies to trust. Name brand is generally better, and cost usually goes hand-in-hand with quality. But when you're staring at dozens of different brands of paint, trying to find the best can be overwhelming. Keep in mind that though some of these brands are ones you should avoid, their higher-quality lines may still be worth the investment. However, their standard and cheaper versions are often not worth the up-front savings, as they can actually end up costing you more money in the long run.
Avoid Behr unless you have experience with their paints
Depending on who you ask, Behr tends to be all over the place. Some of their lines are very watery, meaning you need to add more layers. However, others, like the Premium Plus Ultra, go the opposite way. They are very thick, and it's tricky to get a smooth, even coat. Some reviews of Behr say that once you get the hang of the unique quality, it's not much different than other brands, but do you really want to mess up rooms and waste cans in the meantime?
Avoid Valspar if you want to stay far from peeling paint
Valspar was once a company many people trusted. Unfortunately, in 2017, Sherwin Williams bought them out. Though Sherwin Williams is a good paint company, many users feel that they let the quality of Valspar drop. Now, even their top-of-the-line paints end up watery or dry too quickly, creating more obvious streaks. According to some reviews, Valspar has a bad habit of peeling off shortly after applying. It's not an issue everyone deals with, but it is something to be aware of before choosing this paint brand
Avoid Farrow and Ball despite their beautiful colors
Though Farrow and Ball have some stunning colors that aren't always easy to recreate in other brands, their paint leaves something to be desired. Their products are pretty expensive, but they don't come with the quality you expect for the price. It's not impossible to get this paint to look good in your home, but it's pretty fussy and needs extra care and attention, which a DIY home painter might not have the experience to do properly. The better option is to have a more trustworthy company color match and go with that.
Sherwin Williams is a simple but quality brand perfect as an alternative
Sherwin Williams is an expensive brand, but it's for a good reason. After all, you get what you pay for, and buying cheap cans is a mistake everyone makes when buying paint for the first time. To save a little extra money without sacrificing quality, consider purchasing their paint in bulk during sales, even if you're not quite ready to use it yet. Of course, great paint brands also have lower-quality lines. If you're using Sherwin Williams, stick to ones like Cashmere and Emerald for a better result.
Choose Benjamin Moore as an alternative for a thicker and solid paint
Like Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore is a paint that you only need one or two coats of for maximum effect. Additionally, Benjamin Moore has some soothing paint colors perfect for a comforting home for those who don't want anything too white or too bright and bold. The Regal Select is one particularly highly reviewed line. However, it does take some getting used to, as it's a lot thicker than other paints and can end up looking patchy and uneven if you don't keep enough paint on your roller.
Dulux Trade is an alternative option for a long-lasting color
Dulux Trade paint is a great option, especially if you don't mind paying a little more for something that will last a long time. Because of the cost, it's probably a good idea to use Dulux Paint if you are touching up your walls before you move. But if you are planning on staying in your home and want a paint that will last you for years, consider using Dulux Trade. Many trade paints are made to be a little better quality, but Dulux is easy and trusted.