Are Expensive House Paints Worth the Cost?

Introduction

We obviously advise hiring the professionals, but if you do decide on decorating or renovating your home yourself, it will mean an arduous trip to the paint store. 

When browsing the aisles of colour swatches and sheens, the decision on which paint to choose can prove paralysing. 

Should you opt for a budget-friendly brand to cover more ground? Or is it wise to invest in those pricier paints that promise exceptional quality and durability?

This article will explore the key differences between paint types across the pricing spectrum. You’ll uncover the specific benefits of both value and premium paints to determine which choice makes the most sense for your unique project and budget. 

With an understanding of what you gain and give up with each option, you can paint your home beautifully without breaking the bank. 

Let’s explore what makes some paints worth their higher cost, and when it pays to go frugal.



The Main Differences Between Paint Types
Before determining if expensive paints are worth it, it helps to understand what accounts for the wide range in pricing. 

While all architectural paints contain basic ingredients like pigments, resins, solvents and additives, the quality and ratios of these components set premium brands apart.

Pigments

The pigments used provide paint with its colour, coverage and durability. Premium paints use larger volumes of higher-quality pigments that provide richer, longer-lasting colour and require fewer coats to fully cover a surface.

Titanium Dioxide

This key ingredient enhances paint’s opacity and durability. More titanium dioxide equals greater hide and longevity. Expensive paints contain higher concentrations of this component.

Resins

The resins bind paint components together while allowing them to adhere to surfaces. More abundant resins in costly paints make the paint itself stronger and more protective.

Additives

Additives give paint desirable properties like mildew resistance and hide. Pricier paints feature additives for enhanced performance and longevity.

Understanding what goes into the paint itself clarifies why you pay more for premium brands promising better coverage, durability and colour retention. But are these costly paints worth their lofty price tags?

The Potential Perks of Premium Paint

Higher-end paints promise a number of advantages that justify their price for many homeowners and pros. Let’s examine the benefits that come with upgrading beyond basic budget paints.

Less Paint Needed for Coverage

Thanks to abundant pigments and titanium dioxide, premium paints contain more hiding power and opacity. This allows them to fully cover surfaces with fewer coats. Rather than applying three or more coats of cheaper paint, you may achieve full coverage with just one or two coats of a pricier formulation.

Enhanced Durability and Longevity

Quality paints withstand wear and tear better thanks to abundant binder resins and additives that create a more durable film. They maintain their like-new look longer and are scrub-resistant, retaining colour despite cleaning. Less frequent repainting saves money long-term.

Richer, More Consistent Colour

With more concentrated pigments and advanced tinting colourants, expensive paints produce deeper, more vibrant hues that don’t fade over time. Their colours are also highly uniform from batch to batch for seamless touch-ups.

Higher Quality Finish and Appearance

Higher solid resins provide a smoother, more even finish with superior hide. No unsightly lap marks or coverage gaps. Premium paints give walls and trims a noticeably finer finish quality.

For major home decorating projects, these performance benefits make premium paints worth considering. But what about the downsides?

Potential Drawbacks of Pricey Paints

While offering robust durability and coverage, costly paints come with some caveats to factor in as well:

Substantially Higher Upfront Cost

There’s no way around it – premium paints carry a significantly heavier price tag than budget options. Expect to pay up to £14.00 per litre more for premium paints in comparison to cheaper paints. This hurts the wallet despite long-term savings.

Limited Selection and Availability

Except at specialty paint stores, expensive paint brands usually offer a slimmer range of unique colours and sheens compared to mass market options readily found at any hardware store. Less selection can limit creativity.

More Skill Required for Best Results

Higher quality paints are thicker and more challenging to apply. Without proper prep and technique, the results may not outweigh the cost. Professional skills are ideal to maximise the benefits.

While superior in many respects, even premium paints have limitations to weigh against needs and resources. But how do budget brands compare?

Pros and Cons of Value Paints

Affordable, lower-end paints provide a more accessible option that works for many applications. But you compromise some performance for the cost savings.

Very Budget-Friendly Initial Price

With litres as low as £10-15, inexpensive paints allow you to complete jobs affordably and experiment more freely. The initial price point can’t be beaten.

Wide Range of Brands and Colours

From major brands like Behr and Valspar to house brands, cheap paints offer endless colour and sheen options. You’ll find something suiting each room and taste.

Requires Multiple Coats for Good Coverage

With less pigment and weaker hide, achieving full coverage takes 2-3 coats with basic paints. The time and labour costs add up despite the lower material price.

Durability and Longevity Limitations

Lower-grade paints sacrifice longevity, needing touch-ups and full repainting more frequently as they wear, scuff or fade over 1-3 years. This diminishes the value benefit.

While initially tempting, skimping too much on paint quality can backfire over just a few years. But how exactly do paint prices correlate with real world performance?

Evaluating True Longevity Between Paint Types
When weighing expensive paints versus budget picks, longevity proves the definitive factor in determining actual value. Professional testing confirms cheap paints fall short here.

Consumer Reports Findings

In a 10-year study, Consumer Reports found that top-rated premium exterior paints maintained good colour and hide after 8-10 years. Meanwhile, cheaper paints showed noticeable fading and peeling in just 2-4 years.

Additional longevity stats

Despite costing 50-100% more upfront, high end paints lasted 2-5 times longer before needing repainting or showing signs of failure and deterioration. This justified their pricing with dramatically extended maintenance-free life.

The DIYer's Dilemma

However, homemade paint jobs may not always do expensive paints justice. Without proper surface prep and application skills, premium paints underperform their potential. Yet when professionally applied, their superiority emerges clearly in durability and longevity.

In the end, while initially costlier, quality paints win for long-lasting performance. But how do you choose the right option for your specific home and needs?

Selecting the Best Paint For Your Project

Rather than uniformly opting for the cheapest or most premium paint, the ideal choice depends on several factors:

Budget

Consider the size of the project and your paint budget. Calculate the upfront cost difference between paint options. For an entire exterior, the price jumps quickly for premium paint.

Scope and Purpose

Small projects or experimental colours allow for more flexibility to choose budget-friendly paints. Major overhauls where longevity is critical merit investing in quality.

Application Skill Level

Those newer to painting may not justify premium paints if application flaws undermine durability. Build skill with cheaper paints first before upgrading for key projects. Consider hiring pros.

Priorities

Do you desire deep, flawless colours everywhere? Or are you comfortable with paints requiring more coats and touching up? Your goals help determine whether durability and vibrancy warrant premium paint costs.

House Size and Layout

For homes with lots of high-traffic areas or tall, difficult to access walls, longer-lasting paints save substantial time, effort and money over time. Prioritise quality for hard-to-maintain spaces.

By objectively assessing your specific home, budget, goals and abilities, you can select paints with the ideal balance of affordability and performance. Let your unique needs rather than blind loyalty to a brand determine what paint suits you best.

Final Takeaways on Paint Costs and Performance

When navigating the paint aisle, remember:

• Premium paints deliver better durability and longevity that can provide real value for the money over time.
• Budget paints offer immediate cost savings but compromise on hide, longevity and colour vibrancy.
• Consider scope, skill level, project goals, and house layout when choosing between tiers of paints.
• Proper prep and application affects results more than paint cost alone.
• DIYers may gain more benefit from inexpensive paints to build skill first.
  
  

The right choice balances affordability with the level of quality and longevity needed for your circumstances. With an understanding of paint essentials, you can feel confident tackling any painting project stylishly within your budget.