Top quality paints are difficult to distinguish when you’re standing in front of rows of nearly identical cans at Home Depot or specialty retailers like Sherwin-Williams. Labels promise smooth coverage, rich color, and easy application—but how many truly deliver on long-term durability and consistent performance?
The challenge is that even experienced painters often base their recommendations on brand loyalty or personal experience, not necessarily objective data. For property owners and project managers who care about longevity, washability, and resistance to wear, choosing the right product means digging deeper than marketing claims.
Understanding what actually sets top quality paints apart—formulation, resin type, finish quality, and application properties—can make a measurable difference in how your investment holds up over time.
6 Key Insights That Reveal the Value of Top Quality Paints
The Cost of Choosing the Wrong Paint
Selecting the wrong paint can be costly in more ways than one. Since COVID, paint prices have steadily increased, with many top-performing options now ranging from $66 to $100 per gallon. If the paint you choose doesn’t deliver the finish you envisioned, getting a refund may not be an option—most paint stores won’t accept returns or exchanges on custom-mixed colors.
The biggest loss, however, is your time or the cost of hiring a professional. A poor-quality paint prone to scuffing, fading, staining, or peeling will have you repainting far sooner than expected.
To achieve a durable, long-lasting, and visually appealing finish, choosing high-quality paint is essential. While brand reputation matters, performance can vary significantly across product lines. Relying on independent testing, such as Consumer Reports, can help you make an informed decision and avoid costly mistakes.
Understanding Paint Grades and Performance
If you assume choosing a top-quality paint is as simple as picking a well-known brand, Consumer Reports’ lab tests suggest otherwise. Their findings reveal that even within the same brand, performance can vary widely. For instance, while some Behr paints score high enough to earn a recommendation, others fall into the mediocre range. Similarly, Sherwin-Williams Emerald significantly outperforms other Sherwin-Williams exterior paints, proving that brand alone isn’t always a guarantee of excellence.
Key Factors in Paint Selection
When selecting the best paint, consider the following factors beyond just color:
- Hiding Performance: The ability of paint to conceal the underlying surface with minimal coats is crucial. Top interior paints can hide with as little as one coat.
- Stain Resistance: High-quality paints resist stains from common household substances, maintaining their appearance over time.
- Durability: For exterior paints, resistance to cracking, color change, and mildew is vital, especially considering Northwest environmental conditions. For example, if your home is in the shade, a mildew-resistant paint is advisable; in urban areas, a dirt-resistant one is preferable.
Top-Quality Paints Based on Testing
The ONLY way to determine whether a particular paint meets the highest quality standards is by rigorous testing, which should include assessments of hiding performance, stain resistance, and durability. An interesting thing that we have found through this process is that some of the best-performing paints aren’t always the most expensive.
For an overview of the actual testing process and additional insights, you might find this video helpful:
Best Interior Paints
Here are the top five paints according to our experience as well as Consumer Reports interior paint tests:
- Behr Marquee Interior
- BehrDynasy Interior
- Valspar Reserve Interior
- Behr Ultra Scuff Defense
- BehrPremium Plus Interior
Best Exterior Paints
Here are the top five paints according to exterior paint tests:
- BehrMarquee Exterior
- BehrUltra Exterior
- Clark+Kensington Exterior (Ace)
- Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior
- Behr Premium Plus Exterior
Conclusion
Selecting the right paint involves more than choosing a shade or a sheen; it’s about understanding the specific needs of your project and relying on factual performance data. By considering factors like hiding performance, stain resistance, VOC levels, and durability, and by consulting comprehensive testing results (rather than just a painter’s opinion), you can ensure a high-quality, lasting finish for your home.
Ready to make a confident choice? Talk to our team today about top quality paints that deliver real results.
