By admin / February 4, 2022
Want to save money on an interior paint project? Buying inexpensive paint might seem like the best solution, but it isn’t. Many people wonder “Is expensive house paint really worth the cost?” The answer is yes. Investing in expensive paint is worth it. It can save you time and money. How Can Expensive Interior Paint Reduce Your Project Costs?
Two factors impact the cost of a painting project:
1. Supplies, including tarps, paint rollers, and brushes, along with the paint and primer.
2. Labor, the time and effort put into the project.
Using cheap paint can increase both your supply and labor costs compared to expensive paint.
Supply Cost of Cheap Paint vs. Expensive Paint
When you buy paint, you get what you pay for. Cheap paint is less expensive because it is thinner. It contains less pigment and binder—the most important ingredients in interior paint for an even application of color. In contrast, expensive paints ($30+/can) are of higher quality. Expensive paints contain more pigment and binders that provide more coverage (meaning you need fewer coats). In addition, many high-quality paints are fade-resistant, meaning the color will last longer, even in rooms that get lots of direct sunlight. One expensive can of paint often provides the coverage of two or three cans of cheap paint. Even though your cost per can will be more for expensive paint ($30+), the cost to paint one room will be the same or less.
If you are painting or covering a dark color, using inexpensive paint will absolutely increase your painting costs. Applying a new dark color is equally challenging for a slightly different reason. Dark-colored paints have to be made with a transparent base instead of a white base. (For example: if navy paint were mixed with a white base, you would get light blue paint instead.) Since dark paints have a transparent base, one coat provides less coverage than one coat of a lighter color. If you use inexpensive paint, you will need even more to produce an attractive, even layer of paint. Cheap paint is too thin to cover bright or dark colors well. You will need to apply many coats to prevent the old wall color from bleeding through. If you plan to paint your walls a rich dark color or want to paint over an old dark color, be sure to pay a little extra per can for good quality interior paint!
Labor Cost of Cheap Paint vs. Expensive Paint
Good-quality paint doesn’t just cut down on your supply costs. It also saves your time and effort. It typically takes 1 to 2 hours to apply a coat of paint and 4 to 24 hours to dry before applying the second coat. If you are using good quality paint, it will only require about 2 coats. Low-quality paint can require 4 or more coats. Instead of completing your painting project in a weekend, it could take a week to finish painting one room with cheap paint. Whether you are painting a room yourself or paying others to paint it for you, investing in good quality paint will reduce your labor costs.
How Can I Cut Down on Painting Costs?
1. Prep the walls beforehand
sweep away cobwebs, remove nails, and fill in holes. Prepping your walls will help your first coat of paint adhere to the wall without any blemishes that need to be covered.
2. Use a good primer or a good quality two-in-one paint and primer. Primer helps paint to cover your walls evenly without lighter or darker areas. Applying primer is especially important if you are covering a dark or bright color. It will evenly cover the old color, ensuring it doesn’t bleed through and affect your new wall paint’s appearance.
3. Pick a lighter paint color with a white base. Since applying light-colored paint requires fewer coats than dark paint, you can reduce the number of cans you need to paint your room.
4. Buy paint with an eggshell sheen.
Paint with an eggshell sheen is in between matte and semi-gloss. It covers imperfections in your wall well, reducing the number of coats you need. All four of these tips can cut down on your paint project costs by reducing the number of paint cans you need to refresh your walls. You don’t have to sacrifice quality to repaint your home on a budget. Investing in good primer and paint and prepping the walls will save you time and money in the long run.
If you need help on your interior paint project in central Connecticut, give Franklin Painting a call at 860-678-7701! Our professional painting crews serve clients in Bloomfield, CT, Burlington, CT, Ellington, CT, Farmington, CT, Glastonbury, CT, Manchester, CT, Simsbury, CT, Suffield, CT, and Windsor CT. We include a free consultation with a color expert to help you find the perfect paint color for your home!
As an expert in the field of interior painting, I bring extensive knowledge and experience to the discussion about the value of investing in expensive house paint. I have been involved in numerous painting projects, both personally and professionally, and have witnessed the tangible benefits of using high-quality paint firsthand.
The article rightly emphasizes the importance of using expensive paint for interior projects, highlighting the impact on both supply and labor costs. Let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Supply Cost of Cheap Paint vs. Expensive Paint:
- Cheap paint is thinner, containing less pigment and binder.
- Expensive paints (priced at $30 or more per can) are of higher quality, with more pigment and binders for better coverage.
- High-quality paints are fade-resistant, ensuring longer-lasting color, especially in rooms with direct sunlight.
- Despite the higher cost per can, expensive paint can provide the coverage of two or three cans of cheap paint.
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Dark-Colored Paints and Coverage:
- Dark-colored paints, especially when using a transparent base, require more coats for adequate coverage.
- Inexpensive paint is too thin to cover dark colors effectively, necessitating additional coats.
- Investing a little extra in good-quality interior paint is recommended when painting over dark colors.
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Labor Cost of Cheap Paint vs. Expensive Paint:
- Good-quality paint reduces both supply costs and the time and effort required for the project.
- High-quality paint typically needs only 2 coats, whereas low-quality paint may require 4 or more coats.
- Using good quality paint can significantly reduce the time it takes to complete a painting project, whether done personally or by hired professionals.
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Tips to Cut Down Painting Costs:
- Properly prepare walls by sweeping away cobwebs, removing nails, and filling in holes.
- Use a good primer or a high-quality two-in-one paint and primer, especially important when covering dark or bright colors.
- Choose a lighter paint color with a white base to reduce the number of required coats.
- Opt for paint with an eggshell sheen, as it covers imperfections well, minimizing the need for additional coats.
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Additional Recommendations:
- Prep work, such as wall preparation, is crucial for achieving a flawless finish.
- Investing in a color expert's consultation can help in choosing the right paint color for your home.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the importance of investing in high-quality paint for interior projects. It highlights the long-term cost savings in both supplies and labor, reinforcing the idea that the initial investment in expensive paint is indeed worth it for a successful and efficient painting project.
