Best value interior latex paint!

[shampoop]

Just bought a new house! It's going to need a lot of interior painting. Was wondering your guy's opinions on what brands / lines of paints are best. Looking for something nice enough, something quality, but hopefully not so expensive.

Also going to be buying all of the associated interior painting accessories! Any advice on that would be appreciated as well! What's really needed/ not needed etc, how cheap to go on rollers / brushes, that kind of thing.

 

[jwh]

Shampoo, congrats on the new house.

As far as paint, Behr from Home Depot is reasonable, but if you can afford it, go with Sherwin Williams.

As far as accessories, get the best brushes and rollers you can afford. There IS a difference in cheap vs. expensive.

Don't forget masking tape, drop clothes, rags, and a good ladder! I never believed in extension poles for rollers until I helped a friend paint once, now it's a "gotta have" for me.

Best of luck with your painting and new house!

 

[WQ59B]

Purdy makes a real nice brush- clean it well it lasts a lo-ong time.
BenjMoore paint is excellent, tho it's $50/can.
I tried one of those Teflon-lined roller pans- they don't come as clean as easily as you would hope.

 

[Steevo]

We just built out our basement (4 rooms) and used Lowes Valspar primer and paint and I was very happy with the coverage, the consistency, the way it rolled, how well the trim paint sprayed, and even the brushability of the semi-gloss on trim touch-ups.

 

[icsamerica]

Behr paint at HD is excellent value for money. Its consistently rated at the top. If your walls are already painted specify "with out primer" because some times the people at the paint counter assume you want the more expensive 'paint with primer version', I've tried cheaper paints like Glidden and Olymic but they don't cut it. Time is money so get the best paint you can afford.

You can get roller covers from harbor freight. They are way cheaper than home depot and similar in quality to HD's "better" roller covers. Wash any roller with clean water to get rid of lint or use some sticky tape while its dry.

Wooster Brush Q3211-2 is ideal for cutting in and trim. Can be found for 6$ at HD. It's got a very comfortable shorty rubber handle and is high quality for a low price. I use it for cutting in then wash it for doing the trim. It works great for me.

Harbor Freight sells perfect drop cloths for about 1/2 of what HD sells them for. They are good enough for any job.

Sand or scrape your walls with a wide taping knife before paint to remove pimples and other surface imperfections.

Get the blue painters tape and buy it in bulk. It's pricey but does the job well.

I like to paint with 1/2 a pole, it's easier. Get a wooden painting pole, cut it in 1/2 and you got just enough length to reach the top with out a heavy and clumsy pole longer pole to manage.

Skip the ladder If you can. Get a 2 step stool. They are easier to move around and less likely to be in the way. I find I can get closer to the work with out the ladder in the way.

A paper coffee cup is a fine item for holding paint for cutting in. Your hand already knows how to hold it without spilling. Just don't take a sip. Need to take a break?.. cover it. A latex glove works if you don't have a proper cup cover. When you're done...toss it.

HD sells a paint tray with white dimpled liners sold in 10 packs. That's the way to go. The dimples wet the roller just right and clean up is quick and easy for 67 cents each.

You are saving so much doing it yourself so don't skimp on the better paint, tools, rollers, tape, etc. But also don't fall prey to the gimmicky and pricy tools like trim rollers, edging pads and trim canisters.

 

[lat905]

I've had very good results with Behr, Valspar, and MAB. MAB is a little more expensive but has seemed to cover more with less paint, so I feel its a wash. The higher end versions of Behr and Valspar work well.

Paint seems to be one fo those things where you get what you pay for, at least up to a point.

 

[rockwithjason]

i guess i am in the minority here because i wouldn't waste one dime on box store paint. i spend a little more and get sherwin williams or benjamin moore.

 

[tornadocaster]

Ok everybody relax... I'm going out on a limb here, but for my renos I started using a "recycled" paint available from Rona here in Canada, it goes for around $15 per can and the coverage is fantastic. The lightest color is a cream and because it is pre tinted the stores won't change the color for you so you have at least 20 different Colors.
Anyways that's my 2 cents.
Cheers
Gio

 

[67carl]

When I bought my house I needed to paint the whole interior before moving in. I bought several 5 gallon buckets of Behr at Home Depot and it was good paint. Since then I've re-painted a few areas and used Sherwin-Williams. I would say it's a better paint but not worth the extra $, unless you use the 25% off coupon:

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/special-offers/sales-and-coupons/

Compare the prices and if it's close with the discount go with SW, if not go with HD.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Just bought a new house! It's going to need a lot of interior painting. Was wondering your guy's opinions on what brands / lines of paints are best. Looking for something nice enough, something quality, but hopefully not so expensive.

Also going to be buying all of the associated interior painting accessories! Any advice on that would be appreciated as well! What's really needed/ not needed etc, how cheap to go on rollers / brushes, that kind of thing.

I usually buy mis-tint because it's cheap and I'm cheap. Of the stuff I've used...I think valspar is the best brand. Behr is not bad but it's not cheap either. Sometimes they have large pails of mistint for around 20-25 bucks at lowes or home depot but usually the colors are not so great. I got a large "bone white" (what I call it) pail at walmart for 10 bucks when they were getting rid of it (discont probably).

I actually use dollar store stuff for the brushes, rollers, and tape. A brush is a brush and the 99 cents only store has decent stuff. I used those on a stucco exterior with zero issues using a heavy paint. Kind of funny when you think about it compared to what you'd pay at home depot or lowes but okay.

If you want to do it cheap...just get a mistint color that you can live with and possibly use other colors in other rooms if you don't get a large pail.

 

[srmofo]

I can tell you from experience that the stuff at lowes ***** balls. We switched to Behr a few years ago and it made a huge difference.

I like the plastic tray liners. Just let the paint dry, then peel it out and use it the next day. It comes off in a sheet if you let it dry completely.

Good rollers make a huge difference so dont skimp

 

[kesslerbmw]

I used the HGTV stuff from SW last year when I did 3 huge rooms, couldn't have been happier with the coverage, finish, and value of the product. I know Behr typically makes an excellent product as well though.

 

[mackrmnn]

The markup on Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore paint is huge. If you know a painting contractor, get him to buy the paint for you. You will pay less than half the retail price.
Use Wooster or Purdy Chinex Brushes. The new Wooster Pro Doo-Z roller covers are awesome.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Guess I'm in the minority. I hated Behr paint. Didn't go on nice, didn't cover well (even over white). Even after 3 coats it looked splotchy.
Actually I've been buying paint at Wal-Mart and am happy with it. I've heard it's made by Sherwin Williams (which I also like).

Either buy cheap brushes and throw them away or buy good brushes and clean them up. Painting is easier with good brushes and they will last a homeowner for years.
BTW: You can store a paint filled brushes overnight by wrapping them in foil or saran wrap and putting them in the freezer.

I like the paint roller system that have a plunger to **** paint up in the handle. They aren't expensive and work great. The powered roller with a hose takes a lot of work to clean up.

 

[ratdoggy]

Why are you painting a NEW house? Is it new to you?
Anyway I just painted my basement with Benjamin Moore. I liked the way it went on.

1 Buy Floetrol as the new low VOC paints almost dry on the roller
2 Strain the paint through a cheesecloth to keep fuzzies and **** off your walls
3.If you are going to spend money on supplies buy some GOOD brushes(there is a difference)
clean and put them back in their packaging. They'll last a long time

 

[Davefr]

The highest quality paint is often the best value. Fewer coats needed, less labor, srubbable, better outcome and longer lasting.

I avoid all the **** home center paint like Behr/Valspar and buy top shelf paint from a real paint store. (The pros say "it's better to have bare walls then Behr on the walls".) It goes on like Molassis and covers like water.

You won't go wrong with Pratt and Lambert, Benjamin Moore or the higher end SW products. Some of the regional paints are also excellent. (Miller, Kelly Moore, Dunn Edwards, etc)

However the most important part of a paint job is the prep. I'd rather have **** paint like Behr on a properly prepared surface then quality paint on a poorly preped surface.

 

[uncletater]

SW A100 is what my painting contractor turned me onto. Is can be use in or out. Sign up for the emails from SW and you will get discounts monthly.Wait for a sale and stock up.

 

[70HalfCab]

After using lots of different paints in remodels I used to do now I only use Sherwin Williams especially in my own house. Pricing is pretty decent with the 25% and sometimes 35% off coupons. Their Promar 200 is really nice paint and a good price point for walls. Touches up very nicely down the road. Interior trim spend the money on Pro Classic either oil or latex.

 

[Banjorear]

i guess i am in the minority here because i wouldn't waste one dime on box store paint. i spend a little more and get sherwin williams or benjamin moore.

BM is what I've used for the past few years. Seems to cover the best and color is consistant from can to can.

I would try SW if a store was close to me.

It's a pain in the neck job to do, so I try to only do it once.

 

[Majordisorder]

shampoop, if you can get Rodda paint in SW Washington it is very good. I think it is right up there with top brands like Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. I recently had a chance to use it and Behr on the same job and the Rodda covered better but Behr cleaned up alot easier. Seemed like the Rodda takes for ever to come out of a roller cover or brush but a couple of minutes under the hose and Behr is gone.

 

[green.bubbly]

Second on the Floetrol especially in the paint for trim. It makes the paint level better and brush on without dragging.

We have always purchased paint from Lowes and HD. Painted many walls with it and never had any problems but we never stayed in a house more than 7 or 8 years. We are currently building a new which we plan on living in the rest of our life. I decided to go with SW Emerald paint for the interior. Applied for contractor price (told them I was flipping houses) and got a nice discount.

Here is what I noticed. With paint from Lowes and HD, when I would clean up my hands or my brushes, the latex would just peel off. Not so with the SW. This stuff sticks and must be scrubbed of. So not saying it is worth the price but it does seem to be a better paint. If you plan on staying in that house for a long time, it might be worth the extra expense.

 

[Hencini]

One more vote for Sherwin Williams (specifically their Super Paint-- it practically puts itself on the wall but it's not cheap so wait for a coupon, they have them all the time) and Purdy brushes. Also, buy good roller covers (the SW house brand is very nice, not very expensive and can be reused many times), a nice roller frame (I think I have a couple Wooster Sherlocks-- great design with ball bearings and very clean cover removal), a good adjustable fiberglass pole (one that locks in place, not twists) and a bucket with a built-in roller grid (holds way more than a tray and won't splash paint). All of these items will last a lifetime of homeowner use and make the process of painting much, much easier.

As so many people here have said, a good quality paint will not only be much easier to apply, it will be easier to live with down the road. Plus the support and customer service at a proper paint store will be far superior to a box store-- you'll be working with people who are often former pro painters and have been trained in the science behind the product as well as the nuances of light and color as they relate to your paint choices, not some guy that was working in lawn and garden until a week ago.

I painted houses professionally for years and only used Porter Paints (now part of Pittsburgh). A couple of times I agreed to use a box store brand that a customer supplied and I always regretted it. They're either like water or clay. Horrible to work with and terrible coverage.

Later a customer turned me on to Sherwin Williams and now I'm hooked. It's the only thing I'll use on my own house. I still recognize Porter as a great product, but they didn't have a store where I was living at the time, so I made the jump to SW.

So if your only criteria for "value" is up front cost then, yes, you can do worse than the higher end box store paints, but like so many other things, with house paint you get what you pay for. A quality paint will be easy to apply and look good for years.

Good luck with your project.

 

[Hencini]

The markup on Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore paint is huge. If you know a painting contractor, get him to buy the paint for you. You will pay less than half the retail price.
Use Wooster or Purdy Chinex Brushes. The new Wooster Pro Doo-Z roller covers are awesome.

This is also good advice. SW will let you set up a DIY account that automatically gets you a discount, but contractor prices are way better.

And yes, anything Wooster or Purdy makes will be top quality. The difference between a cheap brush and a good brush is the difference between wiping the paint on the wall and letting it flow out of the brush.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Sherman Williams gets my vote. I like the Emerald line.

 

[icenfire01]

Wow, this thread is full of polar opposites! One will say to use the most expensive, then the very next comment will say use the cheapest paint, brushes, rollers ext. Sounds to me that painting is very subjective. I guess Im not far off when I say I'm right down the middle. I don't buy the cheapest paint on the shelf, and have never used the most expensive either. I don't get the **** .99 brushes but can see paying $17-20 for one either. Maybe Im missing something but to me paint is paint once its on your walls you will prob never deal with it again for 10+ years. I also hate painting so I do buy stuff to help me get the job done in a timely manner with the least amount of effort like pan liners, lots of disposable brushes for the small one and done jobs. Stuff like that.

 

[boiler7904]

I've only used a couple of gallons of Behr and Valspar paint from the box stores and refuse to do it again. People at the counter rarely know what they're doing and change constantly. Regardless of what Consumer Reports says I'm not a fan of Behr paint or how it works.

My local Sherwin Williams store has had the same handful of guys since I started buying from them 7 years ago and all are able to answer questions about products for different applications. The products (SuperPaint and Duration is what I've used the most) seem to be more consistent as well.

I've also used Benjamin Moore when painting my inlaws house a few years ago and liked that product as well.

I'm willing to pay a few bucks extra for a good consistent product and the knowledge the people behind the counter have.

They currently have a 25% off coupon on the website:

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/hom...WT.ac=SEGDIY Bottom Promo Left Special Offers

Sign up for the Preferred Customer program and they'll email you a couple of weeks ahead of 30% and 40% off sales so you can plan projects a little in advance.

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/special-offers/preferred-customer/

Another idea is to talk to your local S-W or BM dealer and see if they will set you up with a contractor account - especially if you are buying enough material for an entire house at once. It might get you a decent discount.

 

[pcmeiners]

"Either buy cheap brushes and throw them away or buy good brushes and clean them up."
New brushes always ****, best to get top quailty brushes, clean them immaculately (every hour of painting). A brush will form split ends on each bristle after a number of rooms, then it becomes a real paint brush able to hold more paint and really cover, the longer you can maintain the same brush, the better it becomes.

For spraying with an airless over a prime coat Behr paint is great; one full coat and it is done, smooth as glass. By roller not thrilled with it for "hiding" or major color changes. I painted my entire down stair with 3 coats (some times 4, which is ridiculous) and there still is some show thru (not a major color change). If I were to do it again, I would go with Sherwin Williams or Moore unless spraying. Also Behr paint and primer in one is BS, use a separate primer, all the "primer in one" gives you is slightly better "hiding".

 

[EdT]

Yeah, I guess paint is like Ford vs. Chevy. Lots of strong opinions. So, here's another one. My son is refurbing a house and the whole interior needed paint so we went to HD and bought a lot of 5 gal pails Behr of plain white wall paint to repaint the slightly off white walls that were there. Cleaned everything with TSP and sponged off well. It took three coats of white to cover white. Next time we're getting a premium paint that actually covers. Time is worth something.

 

[skamp]

I mostly use Benjamin Moore paint. So what if it costs $10-20 more a gallon. In the end my time is worth it. I normally use Benjamin Moore Regal in satin. I can understand possibly saying a few bucks if you are a contractor but having to redo a job or not have the paint last is just not worth it. Use a quality paint like Benjamin Moore Regal or Sherwin Williams Duration. Once cured (20 days) you can scrub the **** out of it. Also these paints touch up awesome. I have repaired sections of drywall and did not have to paint the whole wall for it to look correct. I also like the Purdy brushes and rollers.

Steve

 

[kfainf]

I have always used Walmart's ColorPlace line. This paint used to be made for them by Sherwin Williams and was simply a relabeled can. Master Chem won their last pricing bid a few years ago and is now the maker of Walmart's paint. Master Chem is the makers of the Kilz line of primers and paints.

 

[Mandres]

Let me preface this by saying I'm a cheap, cheap *******. But I did my whole house with whatever the line of paint is that Wal-Mart sells and the end result is exactly the same as it would have been had I paid 3x as much.

Would Sherwin Moore ultra-premium have covered better or gone on easier? Maybe. Three years down the line would it have made a lick of difference? Absolutely not.

I'll concede that when it comes to put up new siding or repaint the exterior I'll do a lot of research and pick a high-performing durable exterior paint. But for the interior? Makes no difference. My wife will decide we need a new color long before it's worn out anyway...

 

[NitroSun]

I'm a Behr fan as well. Don't underestimate the importance of prep! If you start with a mangled canvas, no paint is going to give you a masterpiece.

 

[steve308]

Get paint - not the paint and primer mix. Prime first with a good stain block primer - paint once with a quality paint - touch up as necessary. The mix (paint and primer) does not cover as well and does not blend in when a repaint of a section is necessary. I painted two rooms with the Valspar mix - never again.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Shampoo, congrats on the new house.

As far as paint, Behr from Home Depot is reasonable, but if you can afford it, go with Sherwin Williams.

As far as accessories, get the best brushes and rollers you can afford. There IS a difference in cheap vs. expensive.

This^...I use Behr for interior and SW for the exterior....I also use good brushes, it does make a difference...

A brush is a brush and the 99 cents only store has decent stuff.

I have used cheap brushes, but for the extra couple of bux, just get decent brushes...If you're going to spend a few hundred for paint, just spend a few more dollars for a good brush... (It's kinda like go to an awesome bar and then drinking cheap beer.)

 

[Kevin54]

We always used MAB paint from the local place here in town. He quit carrying it, but I guess Sherwin Williams does. One coat coverage. It was just a great paint. Lately we've been using Valspar from Lowes. I think that they have reformulated things because it's better now than it was a few years ago. But if you can get MAB, I highly recommend it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've used both Glidden and Behr from HD. There have been times that I swore at the Behr paint, roll it on and it begins to run. Other times, it's been absolutely fine.

I have the walls of the garage painted with Kilz 170 Pro-X. I ended up using it for the bathroom ceiling in the house. I'd have no issue using their product in the house if I wanted a "white" paint or doing a ceiling. The price on it, isn't bad either.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/KILZ-PRO-X-1-gal-Semi-Gloss-Interior-Paint-PX17001/202639771

As a matter of fact, after posting my use of their product here, they actually PM'ed me here to see if I would go to their site and give them a similar review. I was more than happy to do so, and after I did, they offered to let me try another one of their products. Unfortunately, I had no need for it at the time. Good customer service if you ask me.

 

[nolimits76]

It has been awhile since I bought paint. But around Thanksgiving we decided to repaint a hideous "French's mustard yellow" guest bath that the PO's had applied.

This was somewhat on a whim, and Lowe's was our choice of poison. Actually, they were okay. Guys seemed fairly knowledgeable, etc. Only real oddity I noticed was my wife had selected two colors, apparently from different paint manufacturers, and we were informed they had to use that specific manufacturer's paint to mix the colors. I critically questioned this, as I had never heard this before.

Long story short, we purchased both Olympic and Valspar branded paint to get the proper colors my wife wanted. We chose "equal lines" of each brand, or as close as we could reasonably tell.

The Valspar went up first and covered the hideous yellow in one coat. I was very pleased with the paint and ease in which it was applied. Silky smooth really.

Unfortunately the Olympic was not as easy. It took 2 coats and a few touch up's to get the Olympic applied properly. It seemed more watery than the Valspar.

The cost difference was only $3 or $4 per gallon. Going into the project, I just wanted the cheapest paint and would have preferred all Olympic. Afterwards, I would gladly pay the small premium for the Valspar. For us, time was more costly than the few dollars extra the Valspar cost.

Now that the job is over, everything looks great -- even w/ the cheaper paint. I can't comment on longevity as the paint is still fairly new.

Overall, I would buy Valspar again -- I was very pleased with it. If I could try one of the premium paints like SW, BM, etc for the same price I would give that a try too. It'd be hard to go with a lesser quality paint though after seeing how easy the Valspar went up.

 

[OccupantRJ]

We just built out our basement (4 rooms) and used Lowes Valspar primer and paint and I was very happy with the coverage, the consistency, the way it rolled, how well the trim paint sprayed, and even the brushability of the semi-gloss on trim touch-ups.

Same here. Lowes occasionally has it $5 off per gallon.

 

[dawgee]

I use SW on the exterior of my house but i like Clarke& Kensington from Ace Hardware stores or Kilz for inside

 

[OccupantRJ]

It has been awhile since I bought paint. But around Thanksgiving we decided to repaint a hideous "French's mustard yellow" guest bath that the PO's had applied.

This was somewhat on a whim, and Lowe's was our choice of poison. Actually, they were okay. Guys seemed fairly knowledgeable, etc. Only real oddity I noticed was my wife had selected two colors, apparently from different paint manufacturers, and we were informed they had to use that specific manufacturer's paint to mix the colors. I critically questioned this, as I had never heard this before.

Long story short, we purchased both Olympic and Valspar branded paint to get the proper colors my wife wanted. We chose "equal lines" of each brand, or as close as we could reasonably tell.

The Valspar went up first and covered the hideous yellow in one coat. I was very pleased with the paint and ease in which it was applied. Silky smooth really.

Unfortunately the Olympic was not as easy. It took 2 coats and a few touch up's to get the Olympic applied properly. It seemed more watery than the Valspar.

The cost difference was only $3 or $4 per gallon. Going into the project, I just wanted the cheapest paint and would have preferred all Olympic. Afterwards, I would gladly pay the small premium for the Valspar. For us, time was more costly than the few dollars extra the Valspar cost.

Now that the job is over, everything looks great -- even w/ the cheaper paint. I can't comment on longevity as the paint is still fairly new.

Overall, I would buy Valspar again -- I was very pleased with it. If I could try one of the premium paints like SW, BM, etc for the same price I would give that a try too. It'd be hard to go with a lesser quality paint though after seeing how easy the Valspar went up.

Lowes can use either color code to mix Valspar or Olympic paint. I have been using the Valspar for a few years and have it done all the time if my wife likes an Olympic color better.