Is it Worth it to Buy More Expensive Paint?

Life Span

• According to Paint Quality Institute, cheaper paint lasts up to four years, while high-quality paint can last up to 10 years or more when applied by professional contractors, saving you on labor costs over time. Quality paint is scrub and stain resistant, wrinkle free, and looks great for many years without the worry of mold and bacteria, which would add to your maintenance costs.

Safety

• The quality of paints used on the interior surfaces of a home contributes to indoor air quality. High-quality paints are cleaner and safer. Although the paint market is dominated by water-based technology, oil- or solvent-based paints are still available. Solvent-based paints are hazardous because they contain a high number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful when breathed. Low-VOC paints are more expensive compared to solvent-based paints, but spending more money on water-based, low-VOC paint safeguards your family from health hazards.

Flexibility

• Besides offering good adhesion and superior durability, quality paint expands and contracts with changing temperatures. Unlike cheap paint which quickly fades due to inadequate protection from ultraviolet rays, quality paint easily handles extremes of climate without fading or stress cracking. More expensive paints are formulated for the minimum amount of moisture penetration, allowing them to breathe without compromising their quality. Besides, quality paint can be applied on a variety of surfaces such as metal, concrete or wood without losing its adhesion superiority.

Performance

• Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional contractor, understanding paint characteristics is crucial. Generally, more expensive paint offers better performance than cheaper paint. Quality paints have a higher concentration of solids. As a result, they splatter less during application, have better hiding characteristics, hold color better, and resist peeling and flaking. Good hiding and flow gives a smooth finish with less brushing and less retouching, while less spattering means faster, easier cleanup. Such high performance makes buying more expensive paint worth your money.