The Best Paint Brands Professional Painters Use in 2024
If you’re looking to hire a professional painter or tackle a big painting project yourself, choosing the right paint brand is crucial. The best professional painters understand that not all paints are created equal – using a high-quality product can mean the difference between a flawless, long-lasting finish and a disappointing, short-lived result.
As an experienced painter or avid DIYer, you’ve likely heard of major brands like Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Valspar and PPG. But which ones do the pros really swear by? What makes a paint brand stand out from the competition?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the top paint brands favored by professional painters for both interior and exterior jobs in 2024. From coverage and application to durability and color retention, we’ll examine the qualities that make these paints superior choices.
Why Pros Prefer Premium Paint Brands
While bargain paints may seem appealing from a cost standpoint, they often fall short in terms of quality, requiring more coats for sufficient coverage and lacking the longevity of higher-end formulas. Professional painters understand that using a premium product saves time, labor and materials in the long run. Here are some key reasons why pros stick to top brands:
Superior Coverage
High-quality paints provide better coverage with fewer coats needed. This saves on materials, labor and time for a more efficient, cost-effective job.
Ease of Application
Premium paints are formulated to apply smoothly with brushes and rollers for an uniform, streak-free finish that levels nicely. This is particularly important for large interior wall and exterior siding jobs.
Durability and Longevity
Top paints resist cracking, peeling, fading and other wear over time. With proper surface prep, a professional paint job can last over a decade before requiring a new coat.
Adhesion and Surface Grip
The best paints form a strong bond with surfaces for improved adhesion and less risk of delaminating or bubbling over time.
Better Color Retention
While colors across manufacturers may appear identical at first, premium paints retain their vibrancy longer, delaying the need for repaint jobs.
Top Interior Paint Brands for Professional Painters
Sherwin-Williams
One of the most preferred brands by residential and commercial painters, Sherwin-Williams is renowned for its exceptional durability, coverage and ease of application. Their Emerald, Duration and SuperPaint Interior lines are among the best for walls, trim and cabinets.
Benjamin Moore
Another industry leader known for quality, Benjamin Moore paints are highly coveted by pros for their classic colors and premium formulations like Aura and Regal Select. The Advance line also provides a stylish yet durable option for cabinets.
Behr
While some of Behr’s “premium plus” selections can rival pro offerings, their marquis lines like Marquee, Ultra and Premium Plus Ultra are top picks for those wanting quality results at a more approachable price point.
PPG
Porter Paints (now PPG) has a long-standing reputation among professionals for products like their Azure and Acri-Pro architectural coatings known for excellent coverage and washability.
Top Exterior Paint Brands Used by Pros
Sherwin-Williams
In addition to their interior selections, Sherwin-Williams’ exterior paints consistently earn high praise from painting contractors. Formulas like SuperPaint, A-100 and Resilience are go-tos for long-lasting, weather-resistant finishes.
Behr
Behr’s Marquee Exterior line offers exceptional coverage and protection at various price levels. More affordable than some pro options yet trusted for durability.
PPG
Sun-proof, Timeless and Manor Hall are all part of PPG’s diverse professional exterior lineup, valued for their adhesion properties and fade resistance.
Benjamin Moore
Aura Exterior and ARBORCOAT stains are preferred picks from Benjamin Moore for ensuring optimal longevity and preserving wood surfaces and siding.
Valspar
Reserve, Duramax and Valspar’s self-priming exteriors simplify surface prep while providing weather endurance and resistance to peeling, cracking and blistering.
Factors Pros Consider When Choosing Paint
While top brands like those mentioned consistently produce high-quality products, professional painters weigh several key factors when selecting the ideal paint for each job:
Substrate/Surface
The surface material plays a big role – for example, oil-based primers are better for adhesion to tricky substrates. Cedar siding requires specialized stains.
Environmental Conditions
Paints are formulated for interior vs. exterior use and additional climate factors that impact durability and cure times. Extra protection may be needed in extreme heat, cold, moisture or harsh UV exposure.
Project Size and Scope
For massive commercial jobs or homes requiring hundreds of gallons, painters may opt for higher volume formulas meant for spray application to maximize coverage and efficiency.
Sheen Level
Paints come in various sheens from flat/matte to high-gloss. Higher sheens are more durable and washable for trim, cabinets and high-traffic areas while flat/eggshell work well for walls.
VOC Levels
Low-VOC formulations are healthier for indoor air quality yet can lack some performance benefits of conventional versions like blocking stains or mildew resistance.
Color Selection
Since premium brands invest more into color technology, their selections provide richer, more vibrant and longer-lasting hues.
Cost and ROI
While pro-grade paints are pricier upfront, their superior coverage, durability and labor savings make them cost-effective long-term investments.
The supplies painters use also factor heavily into achieving professional-quality finishes…
Painting Tools and Supplies Pros Rely On
Just as paints vary in quality, the same is true for application supplies and equipment. Cheap brushes, rollers and sprayers can lead to unsightly lap marks, drips and inconsistent results. That’s why professionals use top-rated tools like:
Paint Brushes
Natural bristle brushes (for oil-based paints) and synthetic filaments (for latex/acrylics) ensure smooth, streak-free application. Premium options like Purdy hold their shape and apply paint evenly.
Paint Rollers
Wool, lambskin and microfiber fabric covers enable uniform coating while leaving minimal texture behind compared to cheaper rollers. Wider sizes (18″) maximize efficiency.
Paint Sprayers
For large interior and exterior jobs, paint sprayers save huge amounts of time and effort versus brushing/rolling. Trusted brands include Graco, Titan, Wagner and HomeRight for both airless and HVLP models.
Extension Poles
Adjustable telescoping poles allow easier access when painting walls, ceilings and other high areas while reducing strain.
Surface Protection
Pros outfit job sites with professional-grade masking paper, plastic sheeting and tape to protect adjacent surfaces and floors from paint splatter and spills.
Preparation Tools
Surface prep is vital for proper paint adhesion. Pros use thorough cleaning, sanding and degreasing tools to ensure substrates are ready for coating.
Mixing Buckets and Pitchers
Proper mixing is key – painters use high-density plastic buckets and pitchers with grids to ensure color uniformity.
So whether you’re hiring pros or going the DIY route, knowing the best brands and proper tools to use is crucial for achieving flawless, long-lasting paint jobs – both inside and out.
The Ultimate Pro Painting Brands Recommendation
While this guide covers many top professional paint selections, Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr repeatedly earn highest marks across durability, coverage, application and color selection.
If budget allows, most pros recommend the premium Emerald, Duration, Aura and Marquee offerings. But even “best value” lines like SuperPaint, Regal Select and Behr Premium Plus can achieve remarkable results in experienced hands with proper preparation, application techniques and tools.
No matter which high-quality paint brand you choose or application method used, remember – top performance starts with properly prepping surfaces and following product instructions. The highest quality paint won’t hide poor prep work or application errors.
By investing in the tools, supplies and experience true pros rely on, you’ll ensure beautiful, long-lasting finishes you’ll appreciate for many years to come. After all, when it comes to painting, sparing no expense or shortcuts yields the best return on investment.
