Renovators and decorators all agree, painting a room is the quickest, cheapest way to improve a room. Nowaday’s there are so many new paint companies, new kinds of paint, or should we say surface covers, in all kinds of prices, formulas and colors that it may be difficult to choose what you need or want. You’ve got oil-based paint and water-based acrylic or latex based paints. Milk paint, primer paint, and paint with primer in it already. Low VOC paints, and good old, fumes emitting, non PC paint. We have coverings that aren’t really paint, but clays or plaster. There is something for everyone, and for any job, in all qualities and at all price ranges here. The details below pertain to water-based paints.

Paint is one of those items that definitely adheres to the old adage, You get what you pay for. Good paint costs more than cheap paint for a reason. Good paint has better coverage, and will last longer. If you are paying someone to paint, having them paint with cheap paint is like stuffing the empty paint can with money, and setting it on fire.

The better paints are better because they use more, and better quality pigments than cheaper paints. This insures better coverage, and more intense and true color. The best pigments are made of titanium dioxide. It should be listed on the can. Better paints have a higher percentage of solids. That’s what’s actually on the wall when it dries. Over 45% is considered good, and insures good one or two coat coverage. This info might not be on the can, but should be in manufacturer’s literature, on their website, or available from your retailer. Better paints also have a modified, or an all-acrylic binder that keeps the solids, pigments, anti-fungicide, and other ingredients together. Look for this information on the can, or do research before buying any paint.

Here is a list of some of the more popular paints available, and links to their websites. They have not been edited for quality or prices. Most list where their paints can be purchased in the New York area. Tomorrow, some smaller niche and specialty companies, and environmentally friendly paints.

Ace Hardware Paint
Behr Paint (Home Depot)
Benjamin Moore Paint
Dutch Boy Paint
Glidden Paint
Olympic Paint (Lowe’s)
Pratt and Lambert Paint
Ralph Lauren Paint
Sherwin Williams Paint
Valspar Paint (Lowe’s)
Photo: apartmenttherapy.com