Behr vs Sherwin Williams Paint: Essential Choice!
When choosing between Behr and Sherwin Williams paint for your home projects, both offer quality options. Behr is often favored for its wide availability at big-box stores like Home Depot and its competitive pricing, making it a go-to for DIYers. Sherwin Williams, known for its professional-grade quality and extensive color palette, can be found at dedicated Sherwin Williams stores, offering a more specialized experience often preferred by seasoned pros. The best choice depends on your budget, project scope, and desired finish.
Choosing the right paint can feel like a big decision, especially when you’re just starting out. You want your project to look fantastic and last a long time, but sometimes the options seem endless. Two names you’ll hear a lot are Behr and Sherwin Williams. They’re both great companies, but they have their own unique strengths. Figuring out which one is best for your specific needs can be tricky. Don’t worry, though! We’ll break down Behr vs Sherwin Williams paint step-by-step, so you can make a confident choice for your next DIY adventure. We’ll look at everything from price and color to how they perform, making sure your walls get the beautiful finish they deserve.
Understanding Your Paint Needs: Why This Choice Matters
As a DIYer, you know that the right materials make all the difference. When it comes to paint, it’s not just about slapping some color on a wall; it’s about durability, finish, and how easy it is to work with. Both Behr and Sherwin Williams are household names, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences.
Think of it like choosing tools for a woodworking project. You wouldn’t use a tiny craft saw to cut a large piece of lumber, right? Similarly, the paint you choose impacts the final look and longevity of your finished surface. Understanding the nuances between these two popular brands will help you avoid frustration and ensure you get the beautiful, lasting results you’re aiming for.
Key Factors to Consider:
Budget: How much are you looking to spend?
Project Scope: Are you painting a small accent wall or an entire house?
Desired Finish: Do you want a matte, satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss look?
Ease of Application: How important is a smooth, easy painting experience?
Durability and Longevity: How well does the paint hold up to wear and tear?
Color Selection: How vast and unique do you need the color options to be?
Behr Paint: The DIYer’s Reliable Staple
Behr paint is a familiar sight for many DIY enthusiasts. You can easily find it at places like Home Depot, making it super accessible for weekend projects. It’s known for being a solid, dependable choice that offers good value for its price.
Behr’s Strengths:
Accessibility: Easily found at Home Depot and other retailers.
Value for Money: Generally more budget-friendly than Sherwin Williams.
Good Coverage: Many Behr paints offer excellent hiding power, meaning fewer coats might be needed.
Durability: Behr paints are designed to withstand everyday life, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.
User-Friendly: Formulated for easy application, making it a great choice for beginners.
Popular Behr Paint Lines:
Behr Marquee®: This is Behr’s premium interior line, promising one-coat coverage on most paint colors and excellent durability. It’s great for walls that need to look their best with minimal fuss.
Behr Ultra™: A popular choice for both interior and exterior projects, Behr Ultra offers good durability and is known for its stain-blocking and mildew-resistant properties.
Behr Premium Plus®: This line is designed for durability and is a cost-effective option for various projects. It’s a workhorse that delivers solid performance.
Who is Behr Best For?
Behr is an excellent choice for:
Beginner Painters: Its forgiving application and good coverage make it easy to get a professional-looking finish.
Budget-Conscious Projects: If you’re painting a large area or are on a tight budget, Behr offers great value.
Interior Walls and Ceilings: It provides a durable finish that can handle everyday living.
Rental Properties or Flip Projects: Its affordability makes it ideal for spaces that might undergo frequent changes or need a quick refresh.
Sherwin Williams Paint: The Professional’s Choice
Sherwin Williams has a reputation for quality and a vast range of sophisticated colors. While you might not find it at your local big-box store, a dedicated Sherwin Williams paint store offers a more tailored experience and expert advice. This brand is often the preferred choice for professional painters and designers.
Sherwin Williams’ Strengths:
Professional Quality: Known for its premium formulations that offer superior performance and finish.
Extensive Color Palette: Offers an incredible variety of colors, including custom options, perfect for achieving unique looks.
Durability and Sophistication: Sherwin Williams paints often have a richer finish and are built to last, with excellent washability.
Expert Advice: The dedicated stores offer personalized guidance from paint professionals.
Specialty Finishes: A wider range of specialty paints for different surfaces and effects.
Popular Sherwin Williams Paint Lines:
Emerald®: This is Sherwin Williams’ premium interior paint. It’s known for its exceptional durability, stain resistance, and beautiful finish. It’s also low-VOC, making it a healthier choice.
Duration®: A top-tier interior paint, Duration® offers superior durability and can withstand frequent washing and scuffing. It’s excellent for high-traffic areas.
SuperPaint®: As the name suggests, this line is designed for long-lasting performance. It offers excellent adhesion, durability, and stain resistance with good coverage.
Cashmere®: This paint is known for its beautiful, smooth finish and easy application. It offers good durability and is a popular choice for interior walls.
Who is Sherwin Williams Best For?
Sherwin Williams is ideal for:
Those Seeking Premium Quality: If you want the best possible finish and are willing to invest a bit more.
Complex or High-End Projects: For custom homes, detailed trim work, or where a flawless finish is paramount.
Designers and Professionals: Their extensive color library and consistent quality are appreciated by experts.
Areas Requiring High Durability: Kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic hallways will benefit from the robust formulations.
Those Who Value Expert Advice: If you want to work with paint specialists to choose the perfect color and sheen.
Behr vs. Sherwin Williams: A Direct Comparison
To help you visualize the differences, let’s break down key aspects side-by-side.
Price Comparison
| Feature | Behr Paint | Sherwin Williams Paint |
| :——————— | :——————————————- | :———————————————– |
| Average Price per Gallon (Interior Latex) | $30 – $55 | $45 – $70+ |
| Overall Value | Excellent, especially for DIYers on a budget | High, but comes at a higher price point |
| Availability Impact| Widely available at Home Depot, lower overhead | Available at dedicated stores, potentially higher overhead |
Note: Prices are approximate and can vary based on specific product lines, sales, and location.
Color Selection
Behr: Offers a broad spectrum of colors, often presented in fan decks and in-store displays. They are great for finding popular and trending shades. You can also get colors matched.
Sherwin Williams: Boasts an extensive professional color library with unique and nuanced shades. Their color system is often preferred by designers for its accuracy and depth. They also offer excellent color matching.
Durability and Finish
Behr: Provides good durability for everyday use. Their premium lines offer excellent washability and resistance to scuffs. Finishes are generally smooth and consistent.
Sherwin Williams: Often considered to have superior durability, especially in their higher-end lines. They are known for excellent adhesion, resistance to fading, and a more luxurious finish that holds up exceptionally well to cleaning.
Ease of Application
Behr: Generally formulated for ease of use. Many paints have good flow and leveling, meaning fewer brush strokes are visible. Good coverage often means less effort.
Sherwin Williams: Also offers excellent application properties. Professional lines are designed for smooth application and minimal spatter. Some users find their paints to have a creamier consistency.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Both brands offer low-VOC and zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) options, which are better for indoor air quality. It’s always a good idea to check the product’s label for specific VOC content. For more information on VOCs and their impact on health and the environment, you can refer to resources like the EPA’s guide on VOCs.
Behr vs Sherwin Williams: Testing the Waters (DIY Style)
Imagine you’re painting your living room. You’ve picked out a lovely shade of blue. Now, what paint?
Scenario 1: The Weekend Warrior
You’re heading to Home Depot anyway for some supplies. You grab a few gallons of Behr Ultra. It’s a good price, it’s right there, and you know you can get the job done without a special trip. You’ll likely have a nice, smooth finish and a durable wall that looks great.
Scenario 2: The Design Enthusiast
You’ve seen a specific shade of deep teal on a design blog, and you know only a precise color from Sherwin Williams will do. You make a trip to the Sherwin Williams store, chat with an associate about the best sheen for your high-traffic hallway, and pick up a few gallons of Emerald. You know you’re paying a bit more, but you’re confident in the quality and that unique, perfect color.
Tips for Making Your Final Choice
Here’s a simple way to decide which paint is right for your project:
1. Set Your Budget: Know what you can comfortably spend. If budget is tight, Behr is likely your go-to.
2. Consider Your Skill Level: If you’re new to painting, Behr’s user-friendly nature might give you more confidence.
3. Evaluate the Surface: For high-wear areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or kid’s rooms, consider Sherwin Williams’ more durable formulations if your budget allows.
4. Think About Color: Do you have a designer color in mind? Sherwin Williams might offer more unique shades. If you’re happy with standard or easily matched colors, Behr is excellent.
5. Read Reviews: Look for online reviews of specific product lines from both brands. What do other DIYers and pros say about their experience?
6. Get Samples: Before you commit to gallons, buy sample pots of your chosen colors in both brands (if possible) and paint small sections of your wall. See how they look in your home’s lighting at different times of day.
Application Tips for a Professional Finish
No matter which brand you choose, these tips will help you achieve a pro-level finish:
Preparing Your Surface is Key
This is where many DIY projects stumble. A well-prepped wall makes a huge difference in how the paint looks and lasts.
1. Clean the Walls: Use a mild soap and water solution to wash away dirt, grease, and grime. Rinse thoroughly and let the walls dry completely.
2. Repair Imperfections: Fill any holes or cracks with spackle or joint compound. Sand smooth once dry.
3. Sand Smooth Surfaces: If painting over a glossy surface, lightly sand it to help the new paint adhere.
4. Prime: For drastic color changes, bare wood, or stained surfaces, always use a good quality primer. Both Behr and Sherwin Williams offer excellent primers. A good primer, like Sherwin-Williams ALL SURFACE ACRYLIC PRIMER, can save you coats of paint and ensure a uniform finish.
5. Tape Edges: Use painter’s tape for clean lines along trim, ceilings, and windows.
Painting Techniques
Start with the Edges (Cutting In): Use an angled brush to paint a 2-3 inch border around the edges of the wall, corners, and any trim.
Use a Roller for Large Areas: For the main part of the wall, use a roller. For latex paint, a 3/8-inch nap roller is a good all-around choice.
Apply in “W” or “M” Patterns: Load your roller with paint and apply it to the wall in a “W” or “M” shape. Then, fill in the gaps with even, overlapping strokes without lifting the roller.
Maintain a Wet Edge: Always overlap your strokes with the previous wet section of paint. This prevents lap marks and ensures a smooth finish.
Two Thin Coats are Better Than One Thick Coat: This is a golden rule of painting. Thin coats give a smoother, more durable finish and are less likely to drip or peel. Behr’s Marquee line is an exception, aiming for one-coat coverage under ideal conditions.
Ventilate: Keep windows and doors open for airflow and to help the paint dry properly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is Behr paint as good as Sherwin Williams?
A1: Both are quality brands. Sherwin Williams is generally considered premium with a more sophisticated finish and wider professional color selection, often at a higher price. Behr offers excellent value and performance, especially for DIYers, and is very accessible.
Q2: Where can I buy Behr and Sherwin Williams paint?
A2: Behr paint is primarily sold at Home Depot. Sherwin Williams paint is available at dedicated Sherwin Williams stores across the country.
Q3: Which paint brand has better durability for kitchens or bathrooms?
A3: Both brands offer lines specifically designed for high-moisture and high-traffic areas that are durable and washable. Sherwin Williams’ premium lines like Emerald or Duration are often cited for superior long-term durability and stain resistance in these demanding environments, though Behr’s premium lines are also very capable.
Q4: Which is more expensive, Behr or Sherwin Williams?
A4: Sherwin Williams is typically more expensive than Behr for comparable product lines. Behr generally offers a more budget-friendly option, especially considering its availability at a large retail chain like Home Depot.
Q5: Can I get custom colors mixed at Behr or Sherwin Williams?
A5: Yes, both brands offer excellent color matching services. Sherwin Williams is renowned for its extensive professional color library and precise matching, while Behr also does a great job matching existing colors or custom shades.
Q6: Is Behr good for beginners?
A6: Absolutely! Behr is often recommended for beginners because it’s easy to find, reasonably priced, and formulated for user-friendly application with good coverage, making it forgiving for those new to painting.
Q7: What is the difference between interior and exterior paint?
A7: Interior paints are designed for walls and trim inside your home, focusing on factors like washability, low odor, and specific finishes (matte, satin, etc.). Exterior paints are formulated to withstand weather, UV rays, temperature changes, and moisture, making them much more durable for outdoor use. Using the wrong type can lead to premature failure, peeling, or fading.
Conclusion: Your Perfect Paint Awaits!
Choosing between Behr and Sherwin Williams paint doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Both brands offer fantastic products that can help you achieve beautiful results.
If you’re looking for a reliable, budget-friendly, and easy-to-use option that you can easily pick up from Home Depot, Behr is a superb choice for most DIY projects. It delivers great coverage and durability that will make your walls look fantastic.
On the other hand, if you’re aiming for a truly high-end finish, want access to an extensive and sophisticated color palette, or need the absolute best in durability and longevity, Sherwin Williams is an excellent investment. Their professional-grade paints and expert advice can elevate your project to the next level.
Ultimately, the “better” paint depends on your specific needs, budget, and what you want from your finished project. By understanding these differences, you can walk into the paint aisle with confidence, knowing you’re choosing the right partner for your next painting endeavor. Happy painting!