Trade vs Retail (DIY) Paint

If you've ever hired a professional decorator then you might have wondered why they often insist on using trade quality paints. While both trade and retail (DIY) paints serve the purpose of adding colour and protection to surfaces, they differ significantly in formulation, performance and durability. Trade paints are designed with professional decorators in mind as they ensure consistent, high quality results. Retail paints on the other hand usually prioritise affordability over advanced performance features.

What Makes Trade Paint Superior?

Trade vs Retail Paint

Formulation

Higher quality raw materials are used in the formulation of trade paints which are mixed to specific recipes. A combination of more high quality ingredients such as titanium dioxide (white pigment) and colourants are used than in DIY paints.

They also use more specialist ingredients such as zinc phosphate and biocides to protect from fungal degradation.

High opacity trade paint vs low opacity retail paint

Trade vs Retail Paint

Higher Opacity

Trade paints contain better quality, and greater quantities of pigment, delivering better intrinsic opacity and coverage, helping to reduce the number of coats needed to achieve a solid colour.

They also contain more advanced thickeners which help to optimise the in-can and application feel, whilst giving a better and smoother final surface appearance.

Trade vs Retail Paint

Coverage

Trade paints generally spread further than retail paints do, so each litre covers more square metres. Using Dulux as an example, where Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt covers up to 17m per litre, the retail equivalent Dulux Vinyl Matt only covers up to 13m per litre.

Tough diamonds and long maintenance cycle

Trade vs Retail Paint

Durability

Trade paint is more durable than retail paint thanks to its higher quality formula designed not to fade over time and to withstand higher levels of wear and tear. This can save you time and money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent touch-up or repaints.

Consider your budget and weigh the long-term benefits of investing in a higher quality paint.

Trade vs Retail Paint

Superior Range

Trade paints offer a superior range of job specific products that are formulated to provide optimal performance and long lasting results.

In Summary

If the cost of materials is your main concern and you are doing the work yourself then retail paint may be a good option for you. If you are aiming for professional-quality results with minimal effort, or are getting the paint for your decorator to use, then trade paint may be the better choice.

Professional trade paints cover better even after thinning and also spread further - this can save time, money and avoids extra coats being needed.

Trade paint requires fewer coats to achieve a consistently high quality finish which saves on labour costs. This also protects the reputation of professional decorators who strive to provide the best job for their clients.