One of the most popular types of do it yourself (DIY) projects is some form of household painting. While there is a lot to be said about DIY vs hiring professionals, knowing the best paint brands to use is almost as important as learning proper techniques.
What is seen over and over again is someone attempting a DIY painting project, only to either fall way behind in completion time or finding themselves in over their heads. Then, they just end up hiring a pro anyways.
Top 11 Best Exterior Paint Brands
1. Sherwin Williams
It’s hard to beat any of the top paint brands, but Sherwin Williams paints are always on or near the top of any list. Their A-100 exterior paint is a go-to finish for many painting contractors and is available for consumers as well.
Established in 1866, Sherwin Williams is a favorite of pros and homeowners alike for their multitude of colors and finishes. Sherwin Williams is sold through their own paint stores.
As a company, Sherwin Williams is associated with the painting industry in many ways. They make paints, stains, and wall coverings for commercial and residential properties, have specialty finishes for industrial needs, and a complete line of automotive finishes. They even make coverings and finishes for the aerospace industry.
2. Benjamin Moore
As an exterior paint, Benjamin Moore Regal Select is one of the better finishes for residential use. Truth be told, even their lowest tier exterior paint is better than some premium paints of other brands for durability and maintaining color and sheen.
Founded in 1883, the company is now a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Only available through specialty paint dealers.
Benjamin Moore is associated with the paint industry by means of manufacturing many different types of paints for commercial and residential buildings. Benjamin Moore was an early leader in low VOC paints and finishes, resulting in safer working conditions and being more friendly to the environment.
3. H-I-S
Being cost friendly while providing superior finishes, H-I-S has quickly grown into a trusted brand for many professional painters. Exterior paints such as the all acrylic latex Majesty line are available to anyone desiring a long lasting paint for weather extremes.
Formed in 1972, H-I-S manufactures paint in its own plants and sells them through their own line of retail and commercial stores.
H-I-S is heavily involved in advancing the paint industry by developing and manufacturing all of its own lacquers, alkyds, and latex paints. They also make many specialty coatings for various industries.
4. Behr
Behr Ultra exterior paint combines stain blocking primer with finish paint for a one coat application, making it a favorite of do it yourselfers. Most of their paints are a little more budget friendly than other top paints in the same categories. Not bargain basement by any means, but a little more able to fit into the scope of DIY projects.
Originally founded in 1947, Behr is currently sold exclusively in the big box store Home Depot. The company is now part of the parent company, Masco.
Firmly entrenched in the consciousness of home owners, do it yourselfers, and local paint contractors, Behr also has many other finish and covering products for needs ranging from industrial coatings to specialized epoxies.
5. Valspar
Boasting a flexible finish that resists flaking and peeling, Valspar Duramax is a paint and primer all-in-one. This makes it a great choice for weekend warrior painters as well as pros working on new homes or remodels.
Originally founded in 1803, the company specialized in varnishes until about the early 1900s. It took the name Valspar in 1932. In the USA, Valspar is sold mostly in Ace Hardware and Lowe’s home improvement stores.
With a major focus on consumer coatings, Valspar has been a part of the paint industry for over 200 years if you count the original varnish manufacturing. Besides consumer oriented paints and coatings, Valspar also makes finishes for various commercial and industrial applications.
6. Glidden
For consumers or pros requiring a slightly lower price, Glidden Essentials exterior paint covers very well and is long lasting with superior fade resistance. Glidden also makes some fine premium paints with stain blocking primer built in.
Started in 1875, Glidden at one time had the largest varnish manufacturing plant in the world. Sold primarily at Home Depot and Walmart in the USA, Glidden is also available online through Amazon.
One of the largest paint manufacturers in the world, Glidden makes much more than consumer grade home covering paints. Marine and furniture varnishes are also a part of the Glidden family of coverings.
7. Pittsburgh
Exterior paints from Pittsburgh Paint Company are weather resistant, durable, and hold their color a long time. Those qualities are what make paints like Wonder Shield exterior paint a favorite for builders, contractors, and home owners.
Beginning in 1875 as a plate glass maker, PPG is the brand behind Pittsburgh paints. It is sold through specialty paint stores.
Pittsburgh paint is associated to the global paint industry by being a premier paint brand for commercial and residential use. The parent company, PPG, makes coatings and finishes used on a large percentage of new jetliners, automobiles, and appliances made in the world.
8. Olympic
Also included in exterior finishes are deck stains, concrete finishes, and siding solid color stain/sealers such as Olympic Maximum. Solid color stains are sometimes substituted for exterior paints when being applied to wood siding.
Begun in 1938, Olympic has mostly made stains for exterior use on various surfaces. Concrete, wood, and stucco are ideal surfaces for Olympic stains. Easily found at Home Depot stores, Olympic is also sold in discount department stores.
Associated with the painting industry by means of their stains, Olympic stains are a popular choice for both new construction and resurfacing projects. Olympic stains and resurfacers are used on exterior wood decks, gymnasium floors, and concrete flooring and porches.
9. Dutch Boy
Dutch Boy Forever exterior paint is a paint plus sealer all-in-one product. It has great coverage and good durability with environmentally friendly low VOCs.
Founded in 1907, Dutch Boy is currently owned by the Sherwin William’s Paint Company. Originally promoting the use of lead as part of the base for the paints, Dutch Boy covered extremely well because of the lead. Now lead free, Dutch Boy proprietary colors and sheens are still in demand, especially for remodeling older structures.
Primarily associated with the painting industry by means of the original lead based paint colors, the Dutch Boy brand lives on because of the popularity of its use over the past decades.
10. Devoe
Devoe Coatings are generally used in commercial and industrial applications, but residential painters may find themselves needing one of their epoxy coatings in order to weather proof exterior metal and woodwork.
With roots going all the way to 1754 for marine coatings, Devoe Coatings are sold only through specialty paint stores.
Devoe Coatings are associated with paint because of being part of the same family of processes used to cover, protect, and enhance surfaces from metal to rock.
11. Kilz
Everyone knows Kilz is the stain blocker. Kilz also makes regular paint, which to no one’s surprise has superior stain blocking features built in. Kilz Complete Coat is an example of their very durable exterior latex paint.
Founded in 1954, Kilz products can be found just about anywhere any sort of paint product is sold. Their better paints and specialty sealers are found in stores catering to construction trades and DIYers.
Associated with the paint industry because of their sealers and stain blockers, Kilz is virtually a generic term for some painters when referring to covering or sealing stains.
Top 12 Best Interior Paint Brands
1. Benjamin Moore
Besides all of their premium interior paints, Benjamin Moore also makes a fantastic water borne alkyd known as Advance for use on wood trim, doors, and cabinets in a wide range of sheens and colors.
Currently a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, the company wounded in 1883. Only available through specialty paint dealers.
Their premium water borne low VOC paints puts Benjamin Moore in the forefront of the paint industry by means of manufacturing many different types of paints for commercial and residential buildings.
2. Sherwin Williams
Sherwin Williams A-100 interior paint is one of the most versatile and durable paints on the market for both commercial and residential use.
Sherwin Williams was established in 1866 and is one of the premier paint brands in the USA and even internationally. It is only through their own paint stores.
Sherwin Williams is associated with the painting the multitude of paints, finishes, and coverings manufactured for multiple industries.
3. Behr
Behr Ultra interior paints such as Behr Marquee are popular in large part due to their multiple levels of coverage quality plus being able to computer color match virtually anything. Their paints are also budget friendly compared to similar paints in other brands.
Behr is currently sold exclusively in the big box store Home Depot, having been founded in 1947.
Behr is associated with he painting industry by means of their huge presence as a consumer friendly and very available brand with quality and durability equal to many higher priced paints.
4. H-I-S
H-I-S lacquer (originally Gemini) is a favorite of wood finishers due to its excellent sealing qualities and near perfect finishes. Their Valor interior finish is a latex paint that matches up nicely in quality to their superior spray finishes.
Since 1972, H-I-S makes all its own paint and only sells them through their own line of retail and commercial stores.
H-I-S is associated with the painting industry primarily through commercial painting companies and wood finishers using their excellent finishes and sealers.
5. Valspar
Valspar Simplicity is an interior paint and primer with scuff resistant finishes. Homeowners and DIYers with that particular need are well served by this high quality paint.
Taking the name Valspar in 1932, the original company dates all the way back to 1803 when they made varnishes only. Available in Lowe’s home improvement stores among other stores.
In addition to their fine consumer oriented paints, Valspar makes a wide range of industrial coatings and finishes, making them a huge part of the painting industry.
6. Farrow & Ball
Farrow & Ball low VOC paints like their Estate Emulsion paints are even suitable for painting furniture and children’s toys. These same paints can coat woodwork trim and cabinets as well as walls with child safety in mind.
Begun in 1946 by chemists retiring from military positions after WWII, Farrow & Ball is sold through specialty paint suppliers, primarily those involved in furniture making.
Associated with the painting industry because of their advances in low and zero VOC paints, Farrow & Ball can be found covering furniture and toys made worldwide, besides being used for interior residential woodwork.
7. Pittsburgh
Interior paints are what sets Pittsburgh Paints apart from their competitors. Widely viewed as a superior indoor finish, paints such as the low VOC Wonder Pure paint are available in several sheens and more colors than shake a paint stir stick at.
Pittsburgh paint is through specialty paint stores and was originally started in 1875 making plate glass.
Pittsburgh paint is associated with the paint industry by creating superb paints and finishes for both commercial and residential use. The parent finishes company provides coverings and finishes for a huge number of planes, appliances, and automobiles made in the entire world.
8. Dunn-Edwards
Many of the specialty paints from Dunn-Edwards are unique and made for things such as chalkboards, fireplaces, and acoustic dampening. They also make a full line of interior and exterior paints for general purpose.
Founded in 1925, Dunn-Edwards paints are sold exclusively through their own line of stores and specialty dealers.
Associated with he painting world by means of their many fine specialty paints as well as a the largen number of sheens and colors available in all of their paint finishes.
9. Kelly-Moore
Kelly-Moore makes both exterior and interior paints, but it’s their very high quality interior paints like the DuraPoxy enamels that have cemented their fine reputation among contractors and homeowners alike. Stain covering, mildew resistant, and washable, most Kelly-Moore interior paints are available in a huge palette of colors and sheens.
Started in 1946, Kelly-Moore is sold in their own stores and other specialty paint stores and dealers.
Associated with painting by means of their wide range of colors, sheens, and processes, Kelly-Moore is one of the more used paint brands in new home construction and residential remodel.
10. Devoe
Devoe Coatings are widely used in the new construction and remodel industry as stains, sealers, finishes, and epoxies. Primarily applied by pros, Devoe lacquer finishes are sprayed on wood trim, doors, and cabinets, providing a tough, long lasting finish
The paint and finish products made by Devoe Coatings are sold only through specialty paint stores catering to professionals, and the parent companies are older than many large nations.
Devoe Coatings are associated with painting primarily through their excellent interior wood and metal finishing coatings. They also manufacture many coatings used in industrial applications.
11. Pratt & Lambert
Pratt & Lambert Accolade interior paint is a premium quality latex paint and primer suitable for the most discriminating clients or homeowners. Pratt & Lambert makes a wide variety of colors and finishes for interior and exterior paints.
Founded in 1849, Pratt & Lambert began by making a drying chemical to add to linseed oil finishes, enabling it to be used in a shorter time period instead of staying wet and uncured for days.
Associated with he paint industry by a long history of paint and finish manufacturing, innovating several important processes.
12. Bristol
Many Bristol paints are made specifically for the TV and film industry, such as the VFX line of paints used for chroma key and other special effects processes.
Established in 1919, Bristol paints are sold direct and through exclusive specialty dealers.
A part of the paint industry due primarily through its common usage in the worldwide visual arts industry, Bristol paints are seen everywhere that Cinema and TV have penetrated. You can learn more here.
If you’re going to stick to your ideas about taking on a DIY home painting project, a couple of basic things are needed:
- Make sure you have the time and money to finish the project.
- Learn the proper methods and techniques to get results that won’t look subpar.
- Find out what tools and materials are best suited for the intended job.
It’s that third point we’ll be covering by going over the best paint brands. We’ll also separate the brands into exterior and interior paints, so you may see some brands repeated. Interior and exterior paints have slightly different characteristics in order to best serve their intended purpose, though you may also be able to use them interchangeably if necessary.
In addition to the categories of interior and exterior paints, paint can be further separated by a few other characteristics:
- Latex – Probably the most used type of paint for DIYers, water based latex paints are also widely used by pros for covering large expanses of surface area, such as interior drywall or exterior siding. Water clean up, low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and relatively quick dry times are the basic qualities of latex paint.
- Alkyd – Also called oil-based, alkyd paints are a little more demanding to use but cover extremely well and have a durable finish. Often used for metal or fine woodwork. Alkyds have medium to high VOCs, very long dry times, are cleaned with solvents, and sometimes require special application tools and techniques.
- Lacquer – Made from bases of shellac and alcohol, lacquer is not often recommended for DIY projects. Having high VOCs, requiring strong solvents for thinning and clean up, and with an extremely quick dry time, lacquers are difficult to use without good training and experience.
- Water Borne – Different from water based latex, water borne finishes can replace some alkyd and lacquer finishes. Requires you to closely follow prep and application instructions, but has low VOCs, water clean up, and reasonable dry times.
- Stain Block – Some paints have stain blocking properties added to them. If stains and spots are really bad, separate stain block paints may be needed. These come in latex, alkyd, and shellac bases.
- Stain – Stains penetrate below the surface of wood, concrete, and other materials deeper than paints. A sealer and a top coat finish are usually necessary as extra steps when using stain, while most paints can function as a sealer and topcoat all in one. Many of the same best paint brands also make stains.
- Interior Paint – Paints designed to be used inside will have a wide variety of finishes that lend themselves better to the indoors. They tend to have features such as mildew resistance and being easily washable.
- Exterior Paint – Exterior paints stand up to the elements, but there are generally fewer finishes available.
- Finish – Also known as sheen, this describes the shininess, or lack of shine of the paint. Flat, matte, eggshell, semigloss, and gloss are fairly standard terms. Some brands may have proprietary names for their finish sheens.
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