Most of us love to find bargains and save some money. That is possible in many situations. For example, choosing a generic brand of cereal over a name brand is usually a good deal. But in other cases, buying cheap may actually cost you more over the long run. Using a lesser quality of paint for your home or commercial property fits into that category.
Why High-Quality Paint Is Worth the Price
When choosing paint, most individuals focus on the color first. Of course, the right color is a decision that you should not take lightly, as you will need to live with that choice for years. But the perfect color will not look so great when it’s fading or peeling, or if the previous color is bleeding through. That’s what can happen when you use inferior paint.
You’ll get much better and longer-lasting results by using a premium brand of paint. Here are some characteristics of high-quality paint over cheaper brands.
- Pigments
There are pigments in all paints. The smaller and purer the pigments are, the better coverage the paint provides. Cheaper paintings use pigments like clay and silica, while premium paints use titanium dioxide. The latter pigment is purer and smaller than the former, providing better coverage with less paint.
2. Resins
Also referred to as binders, resins improve the absorption and adhesion of the paints. Resins are smaller, allowing the paint to penetrate deeper. Premium paints contain resins, while the cheaper brands either don’t have them at all or have larger resins that don’t penetrate surfaces as well. That means the paint will deteriorate a lot faster.
3. Solvents
Solvents in paint water it down. Some are needed to make the paint easier to apply; however, too many will make the paint too thin, requiring additional coats to cover completely. Hence, premium paints contain fewer solvents, so they cover the surface more effectively, while cheaper paints have more solvents to increase the volume of paint in the can. You’ll need at least one more coat of the cheap paint for the same results achieved with less of the premium paint.
4. Additives
Some premium paints have added ingredients like primers mixed into the paint. This eliminates the expense of buying primer separately and time to apply. You get a 2-for-1 coating with the premium paint. Other additives can include those that minimize mildew (great for bathrooms!) or thickeners for better coverage.
Benefits of Using High-Quality Paints
Using premium paints offers advantages that can actually save you money in the long run over choosing the cheaper paints. Here are some to consider:
Interior Paints
When using paint for the interior, premium paints provide better aesthetics, and durability, and last longer than their cheaper counterparts.
- Smoother application, resulting in cleaner results with no brush or roller marks
- Better coverage, requiring less paint, less effort, and fewer touch-ups
- Quicker cleanup, due to less spattering during the paint application
- Less maintenance, as the premium paints resist dirt and dust
- Longer lasting even with repeated washings
Exterior Paints
Exterior paint needs to be tougher to stand up to the elements. Premium paints offer the following benefits.
- Retains color better, sometimes for twice as long as low-quality paints
- Resists dirt and chalking, a quality that is very important outside
- Mildew resistance (in both interior and exterior) to fight off unsightly mildew
- Better adhesion, resulting in less blistering, flaking, and peeling
- Better coverage, requiring less paint, time, and labor
Quality Painting Tools Matter Too
Using high-quality paint will produce better results and might even save you money in the long term. But the tools and other materials required to complete a painting project are equally important to achieving successful results.
- Primer
There is some dispute over whether applying a primer before painting is a necessity. You should always use a high-quality primer in the following situations:
- Painting with latex-based paint over oil-based paint
- Painting over a skim coat (a thin layer of plaster or drywall compound that’s applied to smooth out the surface of a wall)
- Painting over unfinished wood
- Painting over a darker color
- Painting over wallpaper
- Painting brand-new drywall
- Painting masonry or brick
- Painting a stained surface
Applying a coat of quality primer will produce smoother, streak-free results. It will help cover dark stains and imperfections and reduce the number of coats of paint needed. Make sure you use the type of primer that’s intended for your project and situation.
2. Paintbrushes
You will need several shapes and sizes of paintbrushes for your project. Going cheap on paintbrushes will produce very disappointing results, like streaks and stray brush bristles in the paint. Quality brushes have tightly-packed bristles that extend through the metal ferrule and spring back when you bend them.
Bristles are made from either synthetic or natural materials. Synthetic bristles, like nylon or polyester, are best for applying water-based latex paints, while natural or blended brushes should be used for oil-based paints. The bristles should be different lengths, allowing more detailed painting in tight places. Check for loose bristles by pulling gently on them. If more than a couple fall off, don’t use it.
Make sure you get the right size and type of paintbrushes for your project. For large, flat surfaces, a 3-4 inch flat brush works great. A 2-inch angled brush is good for painting around door and window frames, while an even smaller brush should be used for trim.
Lastly, the brush should feel comfortable in your hand. Try a few in the store before you buy to gauge the way it feels. If it’s hard to control or feels awkward, it will make the job harder and longer to complete.
3. Rollers
Rollers are best for painting larger areas. Lesser quality rollers can make the job more difficult and results less than ideal. Cheap rollers can actually take the paint off the wall as you roll and the material can shed onto the painted surface. As with paintbrushes, there are different types and sizes of rollers that should be used for different situations.
4. Trays
Paint trays are necessary to hold a limited amount of paint for your roller or brush. Pour a small amount into the tray and leave the rest in the can, with the cover on to protect the majority of the paint from getting contaminated by debris. The trays should be wide enough to fit the rollers in, so you may need several sizes.
5. Dropcloths
Protecting the flooring and furnishings from drips and spills is part of the job. Don’t just use old sheets for this; the paint will soak through the material and stain what’s underneath.
There are several types of dropcloths available, each with its own pros and cons. Choose one that meets your needs and budget but make sure it will do the job.
6. Tape
Don’t go cheap and use masking tape or duct tape to tape off edges. Painters’ tape is specifically designed to stick to surfaces enough to protect them during the painting process. It’s easy to peel off without taking the paint or drywall with it or leaving a sticky residue in its place.
Leave the Painting to the Professionals
Painting your home or commercial property can be a tedious and time-consuming process. If you’re unsure of your skills or simply don’t have the time or desire to do it yourself, hiring a professional is your best recourse.
Experienced professional painting contractors know the importance of using quality paint and tools to achieve the best results. If the painting professional you’re considering suggests using a lesser-quality paint to save a few bucks, move on to the next one! No matter how skilled they are, they cannot get the same finish by using cheaper products. You’ll wind up spending more down the road with the need for another paint job before you should.
The Painting Pros, Inc. always recommends using high-quality paints like Benjamin-Moore and Sherwin-Williams. These companies manufacture paint that we can rely on to cover smoothly and consistently. They’ve been around for decades, making the best quality interior and exterior paint for residential and commercial projects.
We never skimp on the “little” things either. The proof is in the finished product. You’ll never see streaks or colors bleeding through because we skipped the primer or used cheaper products. We value our reputation for giving our customers the best results they can find in Silicon Valley. We live and work in the community, so our reputation is our livelihood. We couldn’t have stayed in business for over 40 years without providing the best results in our trade.
There are two words that define our core values: “Customer Happiness”. We’re not satisfied until you’re satisfied. When you want guaranteed results on your residential or commercial painting project, give us a call for a free estimate.