Worth buying expensive paint?

DanAir

I'm redecorating the whole house and I could save a fair amount by using a cheap paint (e.g. Wickes Colourways - £8.99 for 2.5L) compared to using a more expensive paint (e.g. Dulux up to aroung £17/£18).

If it's genuinely better quality and gives better finish/durability/cleanability etc. I'd probably be prepared to spend the extra as I'm banking on not having to decorate again for a while - can anyone advise on whether this is the case?

Thanks all!

tosca5

I have just finished painting my whole house, i stared off with expensive paint and then bought a few cheaper paints. To be honest there is not any difference, i should have went for the cheapest option in the beginning.

Jandy123

I agree with Tosca5, we just painted our largest room in B&Q own brand paint £15.98 for 5 litres. We expected to use three tubs to cover the walls but found that two was more than sufficient. My husband ( formerly only bought Dulux ) was initially very dubious but said after using that there was no discernible difference in the quality. If you wait for one of their discount days it would be cheaper still. Hope this helps, any way, happy decorating from Jandy123

cattie

In the past I've found cheap paints a false economy so now only buy Dulux.

One of the benefits of using a branded paint such as Dulux is that their colour range tends to be constant, so you can still buy the same colour 5yrs down the line if you want to touch up any scuff marks etc. or even freshen up the house by repainting the walls exactly the same colour that you currently have.

vansboy

I can sort of see what Cattie means, but think that lots of other own brands, will be still maintaining colours, for quite a while. We've used similar colours at our new place, to last house & that was a few years when we started the re-decoration there.

If you avoid the REAL cheapest of cheap, you'll do fine.

Also Focus seem to have 3 for 2 as a regular deal & really got on well with their paints!

VB

misgrace

I do decorating for a living, and always use Dulux, unless the client has bought B&Q paint (emulsion), and at first I thought :eek: cheapo krap, but I was quite impressed with its coverage.
Whatever you do dont buy wicks, its the most awful emulsion I have ever used.

The beauty of Dulux, specially if you buy it from any of the DIY sheds, is that its so thick, that a 5ltr tin becomes at least 6ltrs, by the time you water it down it really goes a long way.

Another good make, but you can only get it from a dulux decorating centre, is 'gliddens' paint, its made buyICI, the people who makes dulux, I swear it comes of the same conveyer belt lol, it is fantastic paint,the emulsion and the undercoat/satinwood you must thin it before you use it as its so thick and so much cheaper than the actual dulux.

pocketftb

I agree with misgrace.
My old man is also a decorator and has been so for nearly 30 years.
He only uses Dulux and / or Permoglaze.
He gave me some Dulux trade Emulsion which I used to paint the hallway. I ran out for the spare room so though I would go and buy myself. Bought some cheap stuff in Focus - its was !!!!!!. So thin that the roller kept splattering paint everywhere and I had to apply more coats to get a similar standard of finish.

paullwill8

Dulux Trade, cheap paint is false economy.
If you decide on Dulux Trade let me know, I have a 10% discount card for Decorator centres that you are welcome to.
Paul the Painter.

Poppycat

Dont buy B&Q value range, its like water. There emulsion range are good coverage, just done my mums hallway with one coat emulsion and covered well and have loads left in the container.

TBH if its difficult areas or up heights I play safe and get better quality.

We are planning on painting house with Dulux weathershield

ormus

if you have time on your hands and not money, then using cheap paint makes a lot of sense. some of the cheap paint is really good stuff.
even the cheapo thin own brand emulsions. an extra coat is all thats required.
(or poss 2 extra coats).

Mine'sAPintPlease

Don't buy cheap paint! I've had to repaint my entire flat after a tennant decided to use the cheapo B&Q crap. Yes it's much cheaper, but after a year it degraded so badly, that I had mould, mildew, colour bleed...you name it.

2 years ago I decided to try Dulux trade, and at 40 quid for a big tub it's not cheap but it won't break the bank, and it still looks as good now as it did the day I painted with it.

Having compared the two, and although admittedly the quality of my walls is not great and neither is the ventilation in my flat, I can honestly say that the extra spent on Dulux trade is worth every penny. As I said at the start, don't buy cheap paint!