Are Premium Grade Paints Worth the Extra Cost?  Here’s What You Need to Know!

If you’re considering a new paint job for your home or business, you might be wondering: Is it worth spending extra on premium-grade paint?

At Roe Painting, we understand this can be a tough decision. That’s why we’ve put together a helpful guide that outlines the differences between lower-cost and premium-grade paints, and how they perform in different situations.

Here’s what we cover:

• Performance vs. Cost: Understand how different paint types perform over time and what you’re really paying for.
• Interior vs. Exterior Considerations: Find out which paint is best depending on where it’s being applied.
• Long-Term Value: Learn how premium paints can save you money in the long run by lasting longer and requiring fewer touch-ups.

Products like Sherwin Williams SuperPaint offer an excellent balance between quality and cost, making it ideal for many exterior projects. On the other hand, Sherwin Williams Emerald is perfect if you’re looking for top-tier durability and color retention.

Most people are familiar with the different paint brands like Sherwin Williams, Rodda Paint, Benjamin Moore or Behr Paint (sold through Home Depot), but they are not always familiar with the different quality levels of paints that each manufacture provides. All paint manufactures make all different quality levels of paint, from very inexpensive, production grade paint, to the high-end designer or high performing paints. So which one will be best for your project?

Below is a brief list of products and some points that explain these differences in more detail and how selecting the right paint can affect the look and longevity of your project.

Exterior Products for the Repaint of a Home or Commercial Business

Entry Level – Sherwin Williams A100 100% Acrylic Latex

• Lower quality entry level paint with good adhesion, color retention and durability
• Priced just under $30 a gallon for most contractors
• Would be a good choice for a freshen up type of paint job where you’re not as concerned about it lasting as long (like painting before putting your property on the market to sell)
• For more information, refer to the A100 Product Brochure
• Crosses over to Rodda Paints American Builder, Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec, Behr Premium Plus

Medium Quality – Sherwin Williams SuperPaint Exterior 100% Acrylic Latex

• Medium quality paint with outstanding adhesion, better color retention and more durability
• Priced just around $40 a gallon for most contractors
• Is Sherwin Williams’ workhorse level of exterior paint and a great choice for balancing better quality with a cost-effective price. Roe Painting exterior estimates include SuperPaint as the entry level product
• For more information, refer to the SuperPaint Product Brochure
• Crosses over to Rodda Paints Protector XL, Benjamin Moore Element Guard, Behr Ultra

High Quality – Sherwin Williams Duration Exterior Co-Polymer Acrylic Latex

• High quality paint with advanced, co-polymer acrylic resins that goes on thicker, stays flexible longer, and is self-priming on most surfaces. Has excellent color retention and resists blistering and peeling
• Priced just around $50 a gallon for most contractors
• An excellent choice if you want to upgrade the quality level of paint without breaking the bank. It covers in one coat on most repaints while offering the protective value of two coats of standard paint. But, since it is applied thicker, it will require more gallons of paint. Roe Painting recommends Duration Exterior as an upgrade in quality level of paint for those that are willing to pay more for a paint job that will look nicer and last longer
• For more information, refer to the Duration Exterior Product Brochure
• Crosses over to Rodda Paints CoverCoat, Benjamin Moore Regal Select, Behr Marquee

Premium Quality – Sherwin Williams Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex

• Premium quality paint with cross-linked technology in a self-priming finish that offers the highest durability combined with an emphasis of how the finished product looks. Known for providing exceptional hide in a smooth, beautiful finish. Provides superior color retention, especially for deep accent colors that would normally fade quickly
• Priced just around $60 a gallon for most contractors
• If you are the type that only purchases the best option out there, then Emerald Exterior is the paint for you. Roe Painting recommends Emerald Exterior as the highest upgrade in quality level of paint for those that want the highest quality they can get and care about how the finished product looks. While it will definitely cost more to paint your project with this paint, it will literally provide more years between paint jobs saving you money in the long run
• For more information, refer to the Emerald Exterior Product Brochure
• Crosses over to Rodda Paints Ultimate II, Benjamin Moore Aura, Behr Dynasty

Interior Products for the Repaint of a Home or Commercial Business

Entry Level – Sherwin Williams ProMar 400 Interior Latex

• Lower quality entry level paint normally used in the new construction market where speed of application and easy touch up are important. Can be used on repaint projects if a lower cost is desired with an understanding that it won’t offer the durability of high-quality paints. Would be appropriate for rental unit repaints between tenants. Very low odor paint with zero VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Priced around $25 a gallon for most contractors
• Would be a good choice for a freshen up type of paint job to make an area look better while keeping the overall cost low
• For more information, refer to the ProMar 400 Product Brochure
• Crosses over to Rodda Paints Wall Pro, Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec, Behr Premium Plus

Medium Quality – Sherwin Williams ProMar 200 Interior Latex

• Medium quality paint with better hide and durability. Available in many sheens and all colors and a good choice for most residential and commercial applications. It’s easy to apply and has anti-microbial properties that limit the growth of mildew and mold. Like ProMar 400, it has a low odor and is zero VOC’s making it a great choice where sensitivity to smell or chemicals is important (commercial buildings or office environments)
• Priced just around $30 a gallon for most contractors
• Is Sherwin Williams’ workhorse level of interior paint and a great choice for balancing better quality with a cost-effective price. Roe Painting interior estimates include ProMar 200 as the entry level product
• For more information, refer to the ProMar 200 Product Brochure
• Crosses over to Rodda Paints Master Painter Zero VOC, Benjamin Moore ben Zero VOC, Behr Ultra

High Quality – Sherwin Williams Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex

• High quality paint with advanced, cross-linking technology that is a paint and primer in one. Is known for being more durable, has stain blocking properties, and is very easy to clean while withstanding multiple scrubbings. Is also anti-microbial and it dries quickly for fast return to service
• Priced just around $50 a gallon for most contractors
• An excellent choice if you have pets or kids and you want highly washable surfaces. Performs very well in high traffic areas with most stains cleaning up with soap and water. Roe Painting recommends Duration Home as an upgrade in quality level of paint for those that are willing to pay more for a paint job that will look nicer and last longer
• For more information, refer to the Duration Home Product Brochure
• Crosses over to Rodda Paints Super II, Benjamin Moore Regal Select, Behr Marquee

Premium Quality – Sherwin Williams Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex

• Premium quality paint in a self-priming finish with an emphasis on how the finished product looks. It’s easy to apply and is only offered in lower sheens. Known for providing finishes that would be described as “luxurious” or “intensely deep”. Would be used in areas where the look and feel of the paint is more important than the durability. Is not as washable as other products, but it is also a very low odor and low VOC’s paint. It is not recommended for high traffic areas or environments that will require a lot of cleaning
• Priced just around $40 a gallon for most contractors
• If you are the type that appreciates how the finished product looks, then Cashmere is the paint for you. Roe Painting recommends Cashmere as the paint upgrade that will provide the designer look and feel of a high-end environment. It would be a great choice for professional office settings, art galleries or museums
• For more information, refer to the Cashmere Product Brochure
• Crosses over to Rodda Paints Horizon, Benjamin Moore Aura, Behr Dynasty

If you’re weighing the options between standard and premium-grade paints for your upcoming project, it’s important to understand that while both types apply the same, the main difference is in their durability, appearance, and long-term value.

Here’s the good news: upgrading to a premium paint like Sherwin Williams Duration doesn’t come with a huge price jump. For a typical 2,500 square foot exterior paint job, you might need 30 to 40 gallons of paint. The price difference between SuperPaint and Duration Exterior is around $10 per gallon, meaning you’ll only pay $300 to $400 more for a higher-grade paint. On a job that costs around $5,500 to $6,500, that’s a small investment for significantly better performance.

So, is it worth it?

Absolutely. With premium paints, you get:

• Better performance: Premium paints resist peeling, cracking, and fading.
• Longer-lasting results: Fewer touch-ups and less frequent repainting means long-term savings.
• A nicer finish: Higher quality paints offer a smoother, more even application and superior color retention.

Not sure you want to pay for a premium quality paint? No problem. At Roe Painting, we start with high-quality products that strike a balance between cost and performance. So, even if you choose not to upgrade, you’ll still receive a beautiful, durable finish.

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