Which Type of Interior Paint to Use?
When it comes to paint, the options seems almost limitless. Here are some simple recommendations to make your paint selection a little less painful.
Brands
This seems to be a fairly popular question. Most likely, every person you ask will give you a slightly different answer. So I'm going to give you my take. I've used three different brands of interior paint extensively- Benjamin Moore, Behr, and Duron. The bottom line is that I like all three and would use them all again.
I would rate Behr and Duron about the same- they are similar in quality and price. I have noticed slight differences in consistency with Behr. I don't know what it is, but occasionally I'll get a can that seems to be a little watery. That being said, I still use Behr more than any other brand.
I do think that Benjamin Moore has a slightly thicker consistency and gives better first coat coverage. However, I still needed a second coat. So Benjamin Moore didn't save me any work. Also, it can cost 1 1/2 to 2 times as much as Behr. When it's dry, does it look better than the other brands? Maybe a little- but probably not enough that any visitor to my house would notice.
My recommendation- do most of your painting with the more affordable brands like Behr and Duron (unless cost is not a factor). For rich colors like Burgundy or in rooms where the lighting makes roller lines more noticeable, use a premium paint like Benjamin Moore.
I don't have much experience with other brands. I have a neighbor that really likes Ralph Lauren paint, but I have never tried it. Paint retailers should be able to mix any color from any brand. If you find a Benjamin Moore color that you like but want to use a Behr product, jot down the name and code. The folks at Home Depot can look it up in the computer and mix it for you. Don't use two different brands of the same color in the same room.
Discounts
Although one can of paint doesn't break the bank, I've purchased around 200 gallons for this house. That adds up to be a significant home improvement cost. But you can get discounts which help a little. Home Depot occasionally has a special on Behr paint ($5 off a one gallon, $20 off a five gallon can). That special ran this weekend. It also ran about two months ago.
At Duron and Benjamin Moore, you can ask for a contractor's discount. The discounts are more than 25%. You are probably more likely to receive the discount if you purchase several gallons at one time. I almost always receive these discounts. If you use an interior decorator, they may be able to get the discount for you.
Sheens
Here's a pretty simple rule of thumb for choosing a sheen:
- Ceilings- Flat
- Bathrooms- Semi Gloss for small bathrooms, Eggshell or Semi Gloss for large bathrooms
- Molding and Interior Doors- Semi Gloss
- Walls- Eggshell or Flat Enamel
Flatter sheens do the best job of hiding roller lines and imperfections in the wall. Higher gloss sheens are more durable and easier to clean.
Jon
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[...] I've done plenty of painting in this house- enough to have formed some opinions on the tools and supplies that I like best (besides paint). [...]