Arch Painting

You’ve probably found yourself asking if big names were a “big deal” in many areas of life. Whether it’s buying a brand name cereal over the store version, a “knockoff” electronic, or something else, people are always comparing big names to lesser-known ones. 

That’s true when it comes to paint brands, too. 

Typically, lesser-known brands cost quite a bit less than their big name counterparts. But are the big names actually worth it? Are you getting what you pay for when you choose a big brand, or do the “little guys” actually hold up just as well? 

What Makes Big Names Better?

When you compare a big name paint brand to something that isn’t as widely-known, you’ll undoubtedly notice a price difference. But, what does that difference actually mean? 

In order to find out if the higher price is worth it, you have to look at the paint solids. Typically, higher-end brands will release paint with a higher solids content. For you, that means when the solvent of the paint dissipates after applying it, you’re left with higher amounts of pigment and binder. 

As a result, your paint will look more vibrant on the walls, and the color will look as it was intended. The binder will also help it to adhere to the walls much better, so it will last longer. 

Lower-end paints have fewer solids. As a result, they contain more solvent, and when that dissipates, you won’t have as much pigment or binder. So, the paint may not look as good and it may not last as long. 

If that is the case, you’ll find that you might need to apply another coat, or that it won’t last as long as a paint with a higher solids content. In the end, you could be spending the same amount (if not more) for a “cheaper” paint because you need to use more of it or replace it. 

Simply put, bargain paint brands are typically diluted. They cost less to make, and those savings are passed on to you. But, they won’t give you the look and quality you might be expecting. 

Avoid Combination Paint and Primer

Another common practice that lesser-known brands tend to do is offer paint and primer in one. 

You might think you’re saving money this way, but you’re not. Primer is specifically designed to be used before painting a surface. It prepares that surface for the paint and can increase the pigmentation of the paint, as well as how strongly it adheres. 

There is really no such thing as paint and primer “in one”, because they are two very different things. Cheaper paint brands advertise this because they put additives in their paint that can make it easier to use just one coat, instead of having to go back and do it over. But, don’t be fooled – that doesn’t mean there is primer in the paint itself. So, again, while you might think you’re saving money by combining two important aspects of painting, it likely won’t last as long as a name brand. 

The Case for Big Names

Big names aren’t always worth it in other areas of life. After all, maybe the store brand cereal is just as good as the name brand option. 

But, when it comes to paint, most big names have risen to the top not because of their price tags, but because of their quality. Think about some of the most popular paint brands. The first ones that come to mind might be Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, or Behr. But, when you see those brands on the shelves, you might avoid them because of the cost. 

Those brands didn’t become household names because they are expensive. In fact, their businesses wouldn’t have been able to last this long if people realized they were low quality. No one would want to spend that kind of money for a paint that didn’t deliver. 

So, if the price has deterred you from choosing big name paints, you might want to give them a second thought. Don’t be afraid to do your research on what different paint brands actually use to create their products. You might be surprised to see that in the case of most paints, you do get what you pay for. 

Making an investment in name brands can actually end up saving you money, in the long run. Plus, the paint itself often looks better and more vibrant, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

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Home design trends are constantly changing. In fact, nowadays they seem to change faster than ever thanks to the influence of home television shows, websites like Pinterest, and influencers on social media showing off their own home interiors and exteriors. 

One of the best ways to change the overall look of your living space is to pain. Whether you only want to paint one room in your house or you want to change the color of the entire exterior, painting can make any home look completely different with just a few coats!

We certainly live in a DIY culture, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. There are many projects throughout your home that you can absolutely tackle on your own. 

But, when it comes to painting, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Even if you’re only focusing on one room, the benefits of hiring a professional painter will always outweigh the “pros” of doing it yourself. 

Still not convinced?
Let’s look at why you should always hire a pro when it comes to painting your home. 

The Quality is Guaranteed

Most people choose to paint their own homes because they think it’s easy. Most of the time, it only seems easy because it’s being done incorrectly. 

If you don’t have painting experience, you could be left with patchy spots, drips down the walls, or paint ‘bleeding’ onto areas it shouldn’t. 

When you hire a professional, you can expect top-quality results. You undoubtedly have an idea in your head of how you want your home to look after it’s painted. A professional will give you those results without you having to stress about doing it yourself. 

You’ll Save Time

Speaking of stressing over painting, you’ll save hours (or even days) of your time by hiring a pro. If you only want one or two rooms painted, a professional will likely be able to get it done in a day. If you want your entire home exterior painted, they will get the job done much faster than you would be able to, including the prep work and cleanup. 

Many people think that they’re saving money by doing paint jobs on their own. But, it’s important to ask yourself what your time is worth. If you spend hours painting a room, think about the things you could have been doing – even working to make more money! 

They Have the Right Equipment

In order to paint your house, it takes more than just a paintbrush and a roller. One of the reasons why DIY paint jobs tend to sometimes look sloppy is because homeowners aren’t using the right tools for the job. 

Professional painters have all of the right equipment to make any paint job look flawless. They know that certain brushes and rollers look best with specific paints. They know the right tapes to use to avoid bleeding. They even know how to properly day drop cloths to keep your home clean. If you’re tackling a big painting project, like painting your home’s exterior, professionals will also have the equipment needed to safely reach every area of your home. If you tried to do it yourself, it could be dangerous. 

Guaranteed Efficiency

In addition to taking less time to paint, professionals are efficient. They dedicate their entire day to whatever project they are working on, so they will get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible. You won’t find a professional painter that starts a room on Monday and doesn’t come back to finish it until Friday. So, if you want a project done right away, hiring a professional is always the way to go. 

Should You Ever Paint On Your Own?

There are no hard and fast rules against doing a paint job in your own home. You can always tackle a small room and see how you like the experience or the final result. But, you can be sure that when using a professional, instead, it will take less time and look great without you having to worry over it. 

Does using a professional painter cost more money? Yes, you’ll be spending a bit more than you would if you painted yourself. But, it might not cost as much as you think. Plus, again, think about what your time and stress levels are worth! When you can count on a job being done quickly and being done the right way, that ends up being worth a lot more than sticking to a strict budget. 

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