Cheap Paint Vs. Good Quality Paint

Everybody looks for good ways to be financially efficient. There are many alternatives to the typical methods of painting that help cut back on expenses. When it comes to choosing paint, it is especially important to think about these alternative economical tips. For one, although it seems practical to buy a cheaper paint, careful analysis has shown otherwise. Despite the higher initial cost, it definitely pays off in the long run to use the best quality paint.

According to field tests done at the Paint Quality Institute:
“... while ordinary exterior paint lasts about four years, top quality 100% acrylic latex paint can last 10 years or more when applied to a properly prepared surface, resulting in a lower cost per year of service.”

When you add the cost of labor and supplies to a paint project, the actual paint doesn’t greatly affect the overall cost, but paying a little more for a top quality paint significantly extends the life of the new exterior paint job.

If you think about it this way: Let’s assume the closest paint stores are 500 miles away from your home. One sells cheap paint, but the one next to it sells good quality paint that costs twice as much as the ordinary paint. The cheap paint will only last you 4 years, but the good quality paint will last for at least 10 years. You can choose to buy the cheaper paint, but if you choose the good quality paint, you save yourself a 500-mile trip 4 years later.

The trip represents the labor for the job. Either way you will have to pay for the labor, but by choosing the better quality paint over the cheap paint, you save yourself the cost of paying for the labor twice rather than just one time in ten years. Essentially, the higher-quality paint you use, the longer the life of your paint job, and the more money you save in the long run.

One note about all paints: the longevity of any paints is determined also by the area of the country and the weather conditions. So in Maryland, even with the best paints, certain sides of your home may need to be painted every 5-6 years. 

Hallco Enterprises is based in Maryland and serves the Montgomery, Howard and Frederick Counties. Do you want help determining the best paint for your home? Give us a call at (301) 831-3679, we are here to help you.