When it's time to redecorate most people will spend time picking a colour, then pop to their nearest DIY shop to pick up a tin of paint in their chosen shade. But when browsing the aisles it's worth noticing that there are types of paint aimed at different users - retail paints, supposedly better for amateurs, and trade paints, marketed at professionals.
However, Michael Rolland, managing director of supply company The Paint Shed, says it is a common misconception that trade paint is exclusively for those in the professional decorating industry. In reality anyone can purchase the trade variety - and the finished results will be better, he says.
Here Michael explains some of the benefits of opting for a trade paint over retail paints. This way DIYers can make the right choice before picking up a paint brush.
Trade paints go further
"If your project involves covering a wide surface area, such as an entire room, then instead of risking several tins of paint which may have a varied final shade due being from different batches, opt for a trade paint in the desired shade.
"Trade paint offers a higher pigmentation which means the paint will go further and reduce the need for multiple purchases. Plus in most cases, the high opacity trade paint provides means that just one coat will cover a wider surface and not let any of the previous surface colour bleed through."
They are more economical
"Although in some cases, depending on brand, trade paint can carry a higher purchase cost than retail paint, you will actually require less of it due to aforementioned pigmentation. Less coats means less paint which results in less money being spent and also the added benefit of less energy and time being used for painting."
Trade paints are of a higher standard
"Of course there are high quality retail paints but this varies based on the price, trade paint as a standard is made to a higher quality. As they are used by professionals predominantly they are consistently tested to ensure they are providing the expert finish expected by professional decorators and their customers."
Available in hundreds of different colours
"It is a bit of a myth, due to the white and magnolia show homes and new builds, that trade paint offers a reduced selection of colours, but this is simply not the case. Dulux Trade and Crown Trade for example offer hundreds of different shades in their ranges, from dreamy earthy tones, to rich jewel tones and even bright and bold colours too.
"If you can’t find the colour you are looking for then in most cases the retailer will be able to colour match and mix the paint to order, meaning that no shade is off limits for your project."
Finish for every project
"Whereas with retail you may need to switch brands depending on the job type being interior or exterior, many trade brands offer a paint for all finishes. Dulux Trade for example has undercoat, Weathershield for exterior projects, typical interior finishes such as emulsion and eggshell, gloss, varnish, metal paint and more, all under the one brand. This means that there will be no variation in quality."
Trade paints last longer
"The high-quality formula of trade paints almost always comes with a considerably higher life expectancy and for most this accounts for regular cleaning too. This means less need for touch ups and potential paint matching disasters ruining the finish of your walls or projects.
"If you have a smaller project such as an accent wall, choosing a designer retail paint such as those from Farrow and Ball or Little Greene will be your best option, but for those bigger paint jobs, consider trade instead."
