I will be painting the exterior of my house soon and am looking for best brand of paint that won't cost an arm and a leg. I have a wood siding house and will be going from a darker brown color to a cream color. Any suggestions on brand names?

 

Your question is very subjective. It depends who you ask. Besides, it's your home, and I would buy the best you can afford for the project. Buy quality like Moores, Pratt and Lambert, Sherwin Williams. Do not skimp. It's not a spare room in the basement you're painting and you expect it to last. Prepartion is equally important. Great paint over a poor prep job is a waste of labor, and a little cash. Prime if necessary. The difference between 'cheap' paint and quality paint over the total coat of the job may be a hundred bucks or so but believe me, when prorated over the life of a quality product, it's nothing. Best of luck on your project.

Keith

 

jclick, KeithP doesn't leave much room to add anything here but figure it this way.....bigbox bargain store brand paint.....18.00....Sherwin-Williams A-100....23.00....difference-5.00 per gallon x the amount needed couldn't be to much unless you have an enormous home and if thats the case you wouldn't want to risk a repaint due to the labor. Also keep in mind that you will use buy 10% less material using top of the line paint from a pro paint store....Mike

 

"I see prices ranging from less than $10 to $25 or more for a gallon of paint. Is there really any difference between one paint and another, or should I try to save some money?"

"As with almost any product, when you purchase paint you usually get what you pay for. Purchasing paint strictly on the basis of price will end up costing you more in the long run. Here's why. As long as you're comparing two similar types of paint (i.e. interior wall paint, exterior trim paint), price differences usually reflect a difference in the quality and/or the amount of the key ingredients. Since it's the ingredients that affect such important qualities as durability, flow, hide and leveling, the better the quality of the paint the easier it will be to apply and the longer it will normally last. In fact, a top-quality paint can last as much as twice as long as a low-end paint. This lowers the cost per year of service which saves you not only money, but also sweat if you do your own painting. If you use a professional painter, you save even more by insisting on a top-quality paint. That's because the paint represents only a fraction of the cost of repainting; most of the expense is for the contractor's labor." Frequently Asked Questions About: Paint. PDRA. Retrieved 16 June 2002. http://www.pdra.org/FAQs/paint/#Q04

By spending a little more upfront on your paint, you avoid frequent repainting. Naturally, if your budget is tight, watch for a sale on a top quality paint. However, remember to purchase the best paint you can afford. It will always be your best value in the long run. Consult your local independent paint retailer for the proper paint for your project.

 

I appreciate everyones input. I wasn't sure if paint was one of those subjects that it doesn't pay to get the name brand but I guess there is a big difference in quality. Thanks for your help!

 

Find a Consumer Reports magazine - check your local library. They do a nice job at rating all brands of exterior paint. I've had good luck with Benjamin Moore. I agree with the previous posts. Don't skip. Also use a good quality brush.

 

You can also not go by brand name alone. Most paint manufacturers tend to produce a good, better, best quality of paint. Buy the best quality level you can afford. Most exterior paint failures tend to be a result of improper surface preparation and moisture.