Paint
A simple guide to Quality
options
Paint formulations consist of 3 basic ingredients:
- Pigments - that provide colour and coverage.
- Binder - which adheres the pigment to the surface and
determines durability.
- Liquids - which give the paint its consistency and
evaporates when applied to the surface i.e. water or solvents.
The most expensive ingredients are the pigments and binder (the solids), the least is the liquid.
Cheaper paints therefore tend to have a larger proportion of the latter.
A quality paint is generally made up of at least 30% solids and therefore has more "body". When
applied to a surface this provides a high level of opacity, greater depth of colour, improved coverage, smoother
finish, greater resistance to wear and tear and is longer lasting.
For more detailed information on the subject visit the:
Paint Quality Institute
Trade Paints
On a Lt. for Lt. basis quality trade paints are more expensive than the retail equivalent found in
your local DIY store. However, professional decorators choose to use them because they give better value:
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They have far greater coverage than retail varieties with 25 - 30% not uncommon.
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The longer lifespan of the product will delay repainting. A three year redecoration period rather
than two years is a further saving of 33% not taking into account labour cost.
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The labour element of any paint project far outweighs the material cost so delaying redecoration
due to the quality of the paint used is a significant long term saving.
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The combination of a quality paint and professional decorator will provide the best
possible finish.
Paint the Town Fred recommends the use of the Dulux Trade range. The following brochure gives some further
background on why Dulux Trade is the choice of many professionals:
Dulux Trade - The choice of the professional pdf brochure
Where cost is the primary concern alternative trade brands can offer many of the benefits but with
savings over the premium brand. Our recommendation in this instance would be to use
Albany Trade Paint
Designer Paints
These brands tend to be all about the "look" and often include a range of design products e.g.
wallpaper, accessories etc alongside the paint colours on offer.
Best known is "Farrow & Ball" which has successfully marketed itself worldwide as a
manufacturer of exclusive and elegant paint, using the finest raw materials and traditional
formulations, combined with wallpapers that work in harmony with the colour range.
However, their are a number of other brands, listed in the adjacent column some of whom offer an
even greater range including coordinated fabrics, tiles and furnishings.
Paint the Town Fred can price and supply of any of these paint varieties upon request.
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