Marietta Painters Weigh In on Expensive House Paints

Even small house painting jobs can leave a homeowner with sticker shock. Costs can vary on each line item, including the house paint. With so many options available at various price points, is it worth springing for the bigger ticket prices? Our Marietta painters weigh in.

If you are looking for a simple answer: it’s maybe. Geographical concerns, usage and other determining factors must be examined to make an informed decision. Here’s a discussion of the considerations with higher cost paints.

Solids Content

The cost of a gallon of paint are directly related to the solids content in it. Typically paint has three ingredients: binders, solvent (either water or alkyd) and pigment. The pigments and binders are what remain after the paint dries. So it stands to reason a higher solid content will provide a better paint film. A better paint film will hold color longer and have a longer lifetime. Painters also say the higher solid content is easier to apply and requires less coats. Read: less gallons.

Paint and Primer Combination

The paint aisle is littered with cans that boast primer and paint combination inside. Surely, it’s tempting to prime and paint in one pass of the brush. The point of priming is to create a good tooth for the paint to adhere to, and to cover stains to give painters an even canvas to work on. It makes you wonder how an all-in-one paint can give you these benefits. The answer is it can’t.

If you are working on virgin drywall or walls with stains, you will want to invest in a separate primer. With a true primer, you’ll get a better outcome on the walls. For repainting, it’s not likely a primer and paint all-in-one will make a visible difference in the outcome. Some coverage can be directly correlated to the solids content, versus the primer.

Enamels

Enamels will always cost more than regular wall paint. They are made to be more durable and highly washable. Areas to consider the cost for enamels include doors, windows, trim and other high-touch areas. The finish makes icky fingerprints washable.

At the same time, there is an option of more traditional paint to be washable as well. You’ll want to get oil-based or water-based in glossy finishes. They will be more durable, without the price tag.

Ceiling Paint

To save money, you only need to look up. Ceilings require little more than flat white paint. Since there shouldn’t be dirty fingers on it, there’s no need to opt for washable or durable paint. Save money in this area of the room so you can splurge elsewhere.

Exterior Paint

The paint on the outside of your house is asked to withstand all of the elements while still looking great. Choosing a cheaper paint will give you less protection. A higher quality paint will provide great coverage and seal out harsh winds and moisture. These paints typically carry hefty warranties should the paint fail quickly. You might be able to get a few extra years out of it before the coverage begins to fail.

Wall Paint

Walls are a difficult challenge. To determine the paint, you’ll need to look at the room and use before ponying up for the big buck paints. If you are dealing with a clean, rarely used room, like a formal living or dining room, cheaper paints will probably serve you fine. For messy rooms, go for quality. Kitchens, mudrooms, and toddler’s bedrooms will need to be washable. The first time crayon goes onto that paint, you’ll be thankful you opted for higher quality.

To change a color dramatically, you’ll want quality paint too. This is again due to the solids. They are better at covering an old color up or providing a deep, rich finish in the new color. Because of solids, you’ll be able to get a great outcome in less coats. Save yourself time by spending a bit more.

When planning your project, the paint you pick should be directly correlated to the room and its use. If you’re still hesitant, our painters can help. Get a free, in-home estimate now.