Behr Premium Plus vs. Ultra: For your next project, Premium Plus is ideal for most DIYers needing a durable, cost-effective paint. Ultra is best for high-traffic areas or demanding surfaces requiring superior stain resistance and coverage. Both offer excellent results for home painters.
Choosing the right paint can feel like a puzzle, especially when you’re standing in front of a wall of Behr options. You want your hard work to shine, right? We all do! Paint is the finishing touch that makes a room feel complete and protected. But navigating the Behr lineup, like Behr Premium Plus and Behr Ultra, can leave many DIYers scratching their heads. What’s the real difference? Which one is best for your specific project? Don’t worry, I’m here to help you sort it all out. We’ll break down each paint, look at their strengths, and help you make that confident decision for a beautiful, lasting finish.
Behr Premium Plus vs. Ultra: A Beginner’s Breakdown
When you’re starting a painting project, whether it’s a quick refresh of a guest room or a more involved job like painting your kitchen cabinets, the paint you choose makes a huge difference. Behr is a popular brand, known for making good quality paint accessible to everyone. Two of their most common lines are Behr Premium Plus and Behr Ultra. While they sound similar, they’re designed for slightly different needs and performance levels. Think of them like tools in your toolbox – you wouldn’t use a small brush to paint a whole wall, and you wouldn’t use a heavy-duty sprayer for tiny touch-ups. Each paint has its purpose.
My goal is to make this simple for you. We’ll explore what makes each paint special, helping you pick the perfect one without any confusion. By the end, you’ll feel ready to tackle your project with confidence, knowing you’ve made the right choice!
Understanding Behr Premium Plus
Behr Premium Plus is often the go-to choice for many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts, and for good reason. It’s a reliable, good-quality paint that offers excellent value. It’s a solid all-around performer for most interior and exterior painting needs. If you’re looking for a paint that covers well, provides a smooth finish, and lasts, Premium Plus is a fantastic option.
Key Features of Behr Premium Plus:
- Excellent Coverage: Premium Plus is known for its ability to cover surfaces in fewer coats, saving you time and paint.
- Durable Finish: It creates a tough, washable surface that can withstand everyday wear and tear. This makes it great for high-traffic areas like hallways or living rooms.
- Mildew Resistance: Many formulations include properties that resist the growth of mildew and mold, especially important for bathrooms and kitchens.
- Low VOCs: Behr Premium Plus is typically a low- or zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint, meaning fewer harsh fumes and a healthier indoor environment. You can learn more about VOCs and their impact on air quality from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Range of Finishes: Available in various sheens, from flat to semi-gloss, allowing you to achieve the look you desire for different rooms and surfaces.
- Good Value: It’s generally more affordable than premium lines, making it budget-friendly for larger projects.
When to Choose Behr Premium Plus:
- Painting general living areas (living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms).
- Refreshing hallways or entryways.
- Coating ceilings.
- Projects on a budget where quality is still important.
- When you need a durable, washable finish for everyday use.
- Exterior siding and trim projects that don’t require extreme durability.
Understanding Behr Ultra
Behr Ultra takes performance up a notch. It’s engineered with advanced technologies to offer enhanced durability, superior stain resistance, and even better coverage than Premium Plus. If your project involves surfaces that take a beating, like busy kitchens, kids’ playrooms, or high-traffic commercial spaces, Behr Ultra is designed to handle it.
Ultra is often touted as Behr’s most advanced interior paint. It’s formulated to resist stains and be easier to clean, which is a big plus for busy households. It’s also designed to provide excellent hiding power, meaning it can cover dark colors or imperfections with fewer coats. This can be a real time-saver!
Key Features of Behr Ultra:
- Superior Stain Resistance: Ultra is formulated to resist a wide range of common household stains, making cleanup easier. Spills and marks can often be wiped away without damaging the paint finish.
- Enhanced Durability: It offers a tougher, more scrubbable finish than Premium Plus, standing up better to repeated cleaning and physical wear.
- Exceptional Hide and Coverage: Designed to cover surfaces with fewer coats, even over dark or bold colors. This means you might save on paint and time during application.
- Moisture and Mildew Resistance: Like Premium Plus, Ultra often includes excellent resistance to moisture and mildew, but typically with enhanced protective qualities.
- Low VOCs: Also a low- or zero-VOC product, ensuring better indoor air quality during and after painting.
- Touch-Up Friendly: The finish is designed to make touch-ups blend more seamlessly, a huge advantage for maintaining a perfect look over time.
When to Choose Behr Ultra:
- Painting kitchens and bathrooms where stains and moisture are common.
- Children’s rooms or play areas that need a highly washable and durable surface.
- High-traffic hallways and entryways that see a lot of wear and tear.
- Painting over dark or vibrant colors where superior hiding power is needed.
- Projects where you want the absolute best in stain resistance and ease of cleaning.
- Exterior projects requiring maximum durability and protection against the elements.
Behr Premium Plus vs. Ultra: A Direct Comparison
Let’s put these two excellent paints side-by-side to see how they stack up. Understanding these differences will help you make the smartest choice for your project.
Key Differences at a Glance:
| Feature | Behr Premium Plus | Behr Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price Point | More Affordable | Higher Price Point |
| Stain Resistance | Good | Superior |
| Durability & Scrubbability | Durable, Washable | Highly Durable, Enhanced Scrub Resistance |
| Coverage/Hiding Power | Good | Excellent (Superior Hiding) |
| Ideal Use Cases | General Interior/Exterior, Budget Projects | High-Traffic Areas, Kitchens/Baths, Tough Stains, Over Dark Colors |
| Formulations | Solid, Reliable Performance | Advanced Technologies for Premium Performance |
When you’re deciding, consider the specific demands of the space you’re painting. If it’s a room that gets a lot of action and potential for messes, like a family room or a kitchen, the extra stain-fighting power of Ultra might be worth the investment. For less demanding areas or when budget is a primary concern, Premium Plus will serve you very well.
Choosing the Right Finish (Sheen) for Your Project
Beyond the paint line itself, the finish or sheen you choose is crucial. Both Behr Premium Plus and Behr Ultra come in a variety of sheens, and each has its own characteristics. Picking the right sheen can affect how the paint looks, how it cleans, and how well it hides imperfections. Here’s a quick guide:
- Flat/Matte: This finish has no shine and is excellent at hiding surface imperfections. It’s perfect for ceilings and low-traffic walls like adult bedrooms or formal living rooms. However, it’s the least durable and hardest to clean.
- Eggshell: Offers a very subtle sheen, resembling the surface of an eggshell. It’s more durable and easier to clean than flat paint. It’s a popular choice for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.
- Satin: A popular choice for many homeowners, satin has a bit more gloss than eggshell. It’s more durable and significantly easier to clean, making it suitable for moderate- to high-traffic areas like hallways, family rooms, and even some kitchens and bathrooms.
- Semi-Gloss: With more shine, semi-gloss paint is very durable and highly washable. It’s ideal for trim, doors, cabinets, and high-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens where frequent cleaning is necessary. It can highlight imperfections more than lower sheens.
- Gloss/High-Gloss: The most reflective finish, gloss paint is extremely durable and easy to clean. It’s often used for trim, furniture, or feature doors to create a dramatic, high-impact look. It will show every imperfection, so surface preparation is key.
A Note on Preparation:
No matter which Behr paint you choose, proper surface preparation is key to a professional-looking and long-lasting finish. This includes cleaning the walls, filling any holes or cracks, and applying the right primer if needed. For detailed guidance on surface preparation, you can refer to resources like those provided by the Painting Contractors Association (PCA). They offer excellent insights into best practices for a perfect paint job.
Applying Behr Premium Plus and Ultra: Tips for Beginners
Whether you’re using Behr Premium Plus or Behr Ultra, the application process shares many similarities. Following these simple steps will help you achieve a smooth, professional-looking finish that you’ll be proud of.
Step-by-Step Painting Guide:
- Choose Your Tools: Select high-quality brushes (for cutting in edges) and rollers (for broad surfaces). A good roller cover will ensure even paint application without excessive dripping or splattering.
- Prepare the Area: Cover furniture and floors with drop cloths. Use painter’s tape to protect trim, windows, and ceilings. Ensure good ventilation by opening windows.
- Clean the Surface: Wash walls to remove dirt, grease, and grime. For stubborn marks, a solution of mild detergent and water works well. Allow the surface to dry completely.
- Prime if Necessary: If you’re painting over a dark color, a glossy surface, or bare wood/drywall, apply a quality primer like Behr’s. Primer helps with adhesion and ensures your topcoat color is true.
- Stir the Paint: Open your can of Behr paint and stir it thoroughly with a paint stirrer for several minutes. This ensures any pigment that may have settled at the bottom is fully mixed in.
- Cut In Edges: Use a brush to paint a slightly wider band (about 2-3 inches) along the edges of walls, corners, and around trim. This “cutting in” makes rolling easier and prevents tape lines.
- Roll the Walls: Load your roller with paint, not too much to avoid drips. Start in a corner and roll in a “W” or “N” pattern, then fill in the pattern with overlapping strokes. Work in manageable sections (about 3×3 feet) and maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks.
- Apply Second Coat: After the first coat has dried for the recommended time (check the paint can!), apply a second coat. This is especially important for darker colors or if you’re aiming for perfect coverage.
- Remove Tape: Gently remove painter’s tape while the final coat is still slightly wet. Pull it away at a 45-degree angle to avoid peeling the paint.
- Clean Up: Wash your brushes and rollers immediately with soap and water. Close the paint can tightly.
Behr Premium Plus vs. Ultra: Which is Right for Your Project?
To help you cement your decision, let’s consider a few common DIY scenarios:
Scenario 1: Refreshing a Living Room
You want to update your living room walls with a calming, neutral color. Traffic is moderate, and major stain risks are low.
- Recommendation: Behr Premium Plus. It offers excellent coverage, a durable finish, and a good washable surface at a great price. You’ll get a beautiful, long-lasting result without overspending.
Scenario 2: Painting a Kitchen
Your kitchen sees a lot of action – cooking splatters, spills, and frequent cleaning. You want a finish that can handle grease and is easy to wipe down, and you’re painting over a dark, bold color.
- Recommendation: Behr Ultra. Its superior stain resistance and exceptional hiding power are perfect for kitchens. The enhanced scrub resistance means you can clean it more aggressively without damaging the finish.
Scenario 3: Painting a Child’s Playroom
This room is subject to crayons, scuff marks, and general kid-related chaos. You need a paint that is incredibly durable and can be cleaned repeatedly.
- Recommendation: Behr Ultra. The enhanced durability and superior scrubbability of Ultra are ideal for a high-activity space like a playroom. Stains and marks will be much easier to remove.
Scenario 4: Exterior Trim Refresh
You’re painting the trim around your windows and doors. This area is exposed to the elements and needs to be durable and weather-resistant.
- Recommendation: Both can work, but Behr Ultra (Exterior version) often provides that extra layer of protection and durability against weather, UV rays, and dirt. Check the specific product’s exterior rating. For less demanding exterior trim, Premium Plus is a solid choice.
Ultimately, the choice hinges on the demands of the space. For most general interior applications, Premium Plus is a fantastic, cost-effective choice. For areas that require that extra level of toughness and pristine appearance, Ultra shines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Behr Ultra paint worth the extra cost over Premium Plus?
For high-traffic areas or surfaces prone to stains (like kitchens and kids’ rooms), yes, Behr Ultra is often worth the extra cost due to its superior stain resistance, durability, and easier cleaning. For less demanding areas, Premium Plus offers excellent value.
Q2: Can I use Behr Premium Plus for my bathroom?
Yes, Behr Premium Plus is suitable for bathrooms. Most formulations include mildew resistance. However, if your bathroom has very high humidity or you frequently deal with heavy moisture, Behr Ultra or a paint specifically designed for bathrooms might offer enhanced performance.
Q3: Does Behr Ultra hide dark colors better than Premium Plus?
Generally, yes. Behr Ultra is engineered with superior hiding power, meaning it typically covers darker or more vibrant colors in fewer coats compared to Behr Premium Plus, saving you time and paint.
Q4: What is the best sheen for trim and doors?
Semi-gloss or gloss finishes are best for trim and doors. They are very durable, easy to clean, and provide a nice contrast to wall colors. Both Behr Premium Plus and Ultra are available in these sheens.
Q5: How many coats of Behr paint do I usually need?
For most projects, two coats are recommended for even color and durability, especially when painting over a different color or sheen. Behr Ultra’s excellent hiding power might allow you to get away with one coat in some specific situations, but two coats are always best for optimal results.
Q6: Are low-VOC paints important?
Yes, low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints are important for your health and the environment. They release fewer harmful fumes, leading to better indoor air quality during and after painting. Both Behr Premium Plus and Ultra are typically low or zero-VOC.
Conclusion
Choosing between Behr Premium Plus and Behr Ultra doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of Premium Plus as your reliable workhorse – it’s dependable, offers great coverage, and provides a beautiful, durable finish for most of your home painting needs. It’s a fantastic choice for general living spaces, bedrooms, hallways, and projects where budget is a consideration. You’ll be very happy with the quality and longevity a coat of Premium Plus provides.
On the other hand, Behr Ultra is your premium choice for those areas that demand that extra resilience. If you’ve got a busy kitchen, a lively playroom, or walls that regularly face tough stains and rigorous cleaning, Ultra’s enhanced stain resistance and superior scrubbability will be invaluable. It’s also the go-to if you’re aiming for maximum coverage over dark or difficult colors.