Choosing a paint for your home is just as important as choosing the color you want on your walls. But what really matter is the quality of the paint you’re buying, something a lot of people skimp on by buying the cheapest paint they can find. This is a BIG mistake.
The best paint brands are the best because they have not only stood the test of time as a manufacturer, but also because they create superior products within the industry. Not such an easy task when you look at all that goes into manufacturing house paint. Especially when you start talking about latex and oil paints.
And since we understand this process pretty clearly, and want to just save you a ton of time learning all about how each paint brand is regarded in their category, we have just listed out our favorite paint brands so that you know without a doubt you are getting the best quality paint you can buy for your money. Something that not only will look great once you’ve painted everything, but stay looking that way for years and years to come.
 

Benjamin Moore

We have been fortunate to work for contractors that prefer quality to quantity. We refuse to do it any other way. The best quality paint available by all accounts is going to be Benjamin Moore Aura. This is high dollar paint at $55-$60 per gallon but by far has the best quality and finish of any paint around. Benjamin Moore claims that one coat will do the job in most cases. However, I have never personally, in 25 year used any paint in eggshell, satin, semi gloss, or gloss that can finish professionally in one coat. Contractors who use Benjamin Moore generally use Regal at $40 a gal because it is the best Ben Moore paint for the money.

Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams Duration paint is the equal to Benjamin Moore’s Aura at a price of about $45 per gallon. However, Sherwin Williams also has two contractors high quality paint that is one-step down from “Duration.” Those paints are Super Paint and Cashmere for a price around the $35 area. Again, if you are going with sheen on your walls such as eggshell or satin, you will always need to two coats to avoid any hot spots, or misses. Sherwin Williams has also provided us with a color system called a “viualizer” so that you can see what your room would look like if it were a certain color.

Pratt & Lambert

Pratt & Lambert, which is now owned by Sherwin-Williams, is another high-quality brand. Pratt & Lambert Accolade paint won the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2010 award for best interior paint, earning the highest possible ratings for durability, application (including coverage, smoothness, fumes and ease of application) and overall satisfaction. A gallon will run you about $50 per gallon and the next step down; “Red Seal” will cost you about $35.

Glidden

Glidden is the paint that I generally use in a home for a couple of reasons. One is that it is sold at a store here in town where the best color matchers are employed. Two is because the paint is a high quality paint that is a few dollars less than that of the other brands. Glidden Deluxe will run you about $43 per gallon and the next step down is called Ultra Hide and will run you around $31.

What About The Rest?

So why have I not mentioned the other paints that are available such as Behr or Valspar? First reason is because they are not sold at a store that specializes in paint. If you go to a Barber to get a perm, you are not at the right place. If you go to a lumberyard to get paint, you are not in the right place. Behr is an “ok” paint, and Valspar is a paint that I refuse to put on the walls for many reasons. There are some other good paints out there but they are sometimes hard to find in your area.
For all of your paint and painting needs, make sure that you choose those who specialize in what they do. Whether in the brand of paint that you use, the store in which you make the purchase, or in the painting contractor you hire to do the job. Everything or everyone else is just second rate.