It’s the age-old question: do I buy a cheaper product to save money or splash out on something more expensive? In some cases, the answer is obvious; spend more on a more reliable product and it’ll be higher quality. But is that the case with cheap paint?
How much does Interior Painting Cost?
Large painting projects don’t just cost the price of a few tins of paint. You have to buy the right brushes, rollers, primers, and accessories so the amount you spend can add up quickly. No one likes surprise expenses, so pricing up a painting job before you start buying is always a good idea, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
It can be tempting to cut corners when gathering everything you need. Will this old brush still do the trick? Will a few old towels work instead of a tarp? Do I really need that much paint?
Asking these questions is fine; acting upon them is a different story. New brushes and rollers guarantee a better finish and using old ones can ruin the job and send you back to square one! You can get away with using an affordable alternative to painting tarps. Old bed sheets cover a lot of space and will protect your carpets and floors from everything except major spillages. However tarps are heavier and are less likely to move under your feet and create gaps for the runoff to get into. If you’re careful, you’ll be fine, just keep the cost of replacing your nice carpets in mind!
Primer isn’t considered essential for a lot of painting jobs. However, it’s recommended for a reason. Primer covers up stains and imperfections in your walls, tiles and surfaces that can show through even multiple layers of paint. It’s also an adhesive that helps your paint stick better and will improve the overall finish. You don’t need much and it’s a great investment.
Finally, paint is the last thing you want to consider cutting corners with. Measure your room or surfaces carefully, and always pick up extra paint just in case. Remember, you can always use any extra in the future!
Should I Buy Cheap Paint?
Buying more affordable paint for your large interior or exterior painting projects has its benefits but getting the cheapest option you can find isn’t a good idea.
If you’re new to painting, or even a little rusty, you may assume that getting cheap paint can give you more margin for error. However, there are advantages and disadvantages you need to keep in mind:
| Advantages of Cheap Paint | Disadvantages of Cheap Paint |
| You can buy more cans | Won’t look as good |
| You can try more colours | Won’t last as long |
| You can try different finishes | Needs more coats |
| Can be more difficult to work with | |
| Makes more mess | |
| Limited choice of colours and sheens |
It may look like the cons outweigh the pros, but using cheap paint isn’t all bad.
If you want to learn how to paint without committing to a large project, you can buy an inexpensive can of paint and use it on an inconspicuous area first. This way you can learn brush and roller technique without wasting too much money. You may also want to try something bold with your painting. Cheap paint can allow you to be more experimental with your colour choices but isn’t as big a waste if it doesn’t look right. As we talked about in our interior painting guide, walls don’t have to be bland, so don’t be afraid to express yourself!
Now we have to talk about the disadvantages of cheap paint.
Firstly, cheaper paint is thinner, so your project will require more coats for an even finish. The individual cans may be cheaper, but if you need 5 or 6 cans instead of 2 or 3, suddenly you’ve not saved much, if any, money!
Thin paint also creates more runoff, meaning more mess and a potentially streakier finish. A good primer helps with that, although it can only do so much, and by the third or fourth layer there won’t be any to stick to. Even with lighter shades, you will always need extra layers, so cheap paint isn’t ideal if you’re using a dark colour.
Should I Buy Expensive Paint?
Cheap paint is okay if you’re on a budget, but more expensive paint can be more affordable in the long run. That may sound crazy, so let’s break it down again.
| Advantages of Expensive Paint | Disadvantages of Expensive Paint |
| Fewer coats needed | Not always beginner-friendly |
| Looks great for longer | Known brands ≠ quality |
| More choice of finishes | May need primer to work |
| Wider range of colours |
We already mentioned how buying fewer cans of paint is often cheaper, but higher quality paint will also last for years longer than cheap alternatives. So, if cheap paint needs a new coat every few years, compared to the 5-10 you can get from more expensive paints, you save money in the future. For exterior painting projects, durability is key, or you might end up doing it all again the following year!
If you want your walls, tiles, or outdoor areas to look perfect, you need to find the perfect colour and finish. If you’re willing to spend more money, you have access to a much wider range of colours and sheens. To learn more about what sheens are best for interior walls, please check out our interior painting guide which explains what types of paint create different finishes.
Large projects can be intimidating if you’re new to painting. Some more expensive paints need to be mixed, so some precision is required to keep the colour consistent. To save you this trouble, check the painting instructions on each tin before you buy, to see if there are additional steps that you could avoid with a different product.
How do I save money on my painting projects?
Now you know not to cut corners when choosing your paint, where else do you save money? Here are Paintmaster’s money-saving tips for interior painting:
- Clean your walls thoroughly beforehand
- Use a good-quality primer or 2-in-1 paint and primer
- Choose a lighter colour with a white base so fewer coats are needed
- Don’t buy brands just because you recognise them
Should I buy Cheap or Expensive Paint?
With so many brands and varieties of paint to choose from, all different in price and quality, it can be impossible to know which is best. But don’t worry, that’s where we come in!
Paintmaster stock high quality paints at affordable prices, with descriptions attached so you know exactly what you’re buying. Our products aren’t just brands, they are specifically chosen to be the best available, one of the many reasons we’ve been one of the most trusted UK paint providers for years!
To find out more about any of our products, please get in touch. You can also read more of our blog for painting tips and extensive guides. We look forward to hearing from you!
