How to Tell If Paint is High Quality

All paints are pretty much alike, and you really do not have to worry about what brand name you get, as long as you find something that fits your budget, right? If you have made the mistake of simply picking a brand of paint off the shelf based on cost alone, you have learned that paints are not all created equal. It is important to know how to tell if paint is high quality if you are aiming for the most professional look possible in your home.

Thickness is one of the keys to understanding the quality of a particular brand of paint versus a different brand that is the same style and shade. A thicker paint will adhere better, the color is truer, and the overall result will be a longer-lasting and more durable paint. This often leads to fewer coats of paint, which can really save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Consider the following scenario: John Doe purchases 2 gallons of store brand paint at $15 per gallon. Since the paint does not cover well, he winds up purchasing two more gallons at the same price in order to complete the job. Name brand paint, higher quality, costs $18 per gallon, but covers in just one coat. In this case, it cost $60 to get the job done with a \”bargain\” paint, but only $36 with the premium brand; not to mention the extra work and frustration of having to paint a second coat.

Quality can also refer to the ingredients in the paint, and if the environment is a key concern for you during this purchase look for those with no VOCs. Volatile organic compounds, commonly called VOCs, are harmful to the environment and should be totally avoided if you want to make an eco-friendly choice. High quality paints often offer no-VOC, or at least low-VOC paint shades that are a better choice for you and your family. They might cost a little more initially, but it is worth the additional cost to get superior protection for your home and family.

Acrylic paint is a better choice than latex in almost every situation, and paints are considered much higher quality if they are acrylic-based. This is another situation where high quality usually costs more than average quality, but it is worth it if you want a paint that is durable and provides excellent coverage. It is harder to make a mess with thick acrylic paint, easier to clean up anything that mars the paint, and it lasts longer than the average latex paint. In the long run, even they cost more initially, you are going to save a lot of time and hassle than if you choose lower quality paint.

High quality paints should be designed to work in your climate zone, since this has a huge effect on the finished look of the painted surface. Heat and cold can ruin the look of your paint job if you use the wrong type of paint in the wrong climate zone. Speak with a home decor professional, such as at your local home improvement retailer, to find out what type of paint is best in your climate zone to avoid mistakes that cost a fortune to fix.

Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is an interior designer who illustrates how simple it can be to use architectural wall art and modern wood wall art.

Jessica Ackerman of http://WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is an interior designer who illustrates how simple it can be to use architectural wall art and modern wood wall art.

Author Bio: Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is an interior designer who illustrates how simple it can be to use architectural wall art and modern wood wall art.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: high quality,brand paint,high quality paints,higher quality,name brand paint,store brand paint

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