Photo: istockphoto.com
Choosing the paint is often the most difficult part when starting a painting project. With so many brands and colors to consider, it can be completely overwhelming. Two popular paint brands that come to mind for many remodelers are Valspar and Sherwin-Williams, but shoppers may be wondering which of the two is better. Of course, the “perfect” paint job depends on a variety of factors, including personal preference, paint finish, and coverage. To help you choose between the two, we’ve put together a head-to-head comparison of Valspar and Sherwin-Williams paints to help DIYers, painters, and designers alike make the best choice.
How did Valspar and Sherwin-Williams compare?
We’ve done a lot of research (and some field testing) on interior and exterior paint for several guides, including our best interior, exterior, and one-coat paint guides. To get a broader perspective, we also looked at other third-party guides that have tested and reviewed Paint. We used these insights to rank Sherwin-Williams and Valspar based on their prominence on these lists.
We also considered other third-party research, including surveys from both consumer research companies and painting and remodeling companies. We researched articles about these paint brands, noted quotes from product experts, and even interviewed painting experts. While testing can only capture short-term performance, painting professionals have long-term experience with these paints. This gives us a more in-depth look at how each brand’s different products perform, allowing us to compare Sherwin-Williams and Valspar paints.
Valspar
Photo: lowes.com
Price range: $ to $$
Our picks: Valspar Ultra White Satin Tintable Interior Paint ($37.98 at Lowe’s) and Valspar Signature Semi-Gloss Tintable Interior Paint ($48.98 at Lowe’s).
Valspar is widely known as a paint brand with reasonable prices and high quality. This brand was founded in his 1806 year and as of 2017 is actually under the ownership of Sherwin-Williams Company. Valspar produces highly rated products in a wide range of paint colors at affordable prices.
Reviewers note that Valspar paints tend to be thinner and may require more coats than more expensive paints like Sherwin-Williams. However, many products still have gorgeous finishes and are worth the low price for some shoppers. Valspar paint is easy to find for most shoppers. Sold at Lowe’s and several independent retailers nationwide. Valspar’s low prices and wide availability make its products an accessible choice for many shoppers.
Strong Points
- Highly rated products with high quality and many satisfied customers
- A wide range of colors to match almost any home
- Valspar paints tend to be more affordable than Sherwin-Williams paints.
- Easy to find for most shoppers. Available at Lowe’s and independent retailers
Cons
- Lower priced product compared to Sherwin-Williams paints. This requires more paint and may become less durable over time.
Buy Valspar Paint lowe’s, ace hardwareor Valspar.
sherwin williams
Photo: sherwin-williams.com
Price range: $$ to $$$
Our picks: Sherwin-Williams Super Paint Interior Acrylic Latex ($75.49 at Sherwin-Williams) and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Designer Interior Latex ($109.49 at Sherwin-Williams).
Sherwin-Williams is considered by many to be one of the top paint brands. This brand was founded more than 150 years ago in 1866 and has since created many new products. Sherwin-Williams Company also owns several trusted household brands, including Valspar, Krylon, and Thompson’s WaterSeal.
Sherwin-Williams offers a wide range of paint shades and is known for its premium products compared to more affordable brands such as Valspar. Sherwin-Williams paints are thick and pigmented, but they are also expensive. Although the products tend to be expensive, the brand has a strong reputation for customer satisfaction. In J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study, Sherwin-Williams ranked No. 1 in interior paint customer satisfaction. For the most part, Sherwin-Williams paints are only sold at the brand’s retail stores, with the exception of Sherwin-Williams’ HGTV Home Her line, which can be purchased at Lowe’s.
Strong Points
- Premium product of choice for professionals and homeowners alike
- The paint is easy to apply and requires fewer coats than Valspar paint.
- Painted walls are often easier to clean and more durable over time.
- Ranked high in customer satisfaction
Cons
- Comes with a premium price.More expensive than Valspar paint
- Most products are only available at Sherwin-Williams stores, but Lowe’s has a line of HGTV home paints.
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Sherwin-Williams scores higher than Valspar in customer satisfaction and trust survey
Sherwin-Williams consistently scored higher than Valspar in several key studies. In fact, in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study, Sherwin-Williams ranked No. 1 in terms of customer satisfaction, ahead of other brands such as Behr, Benjamin Moore, and Valspar. These rankings change from year to year, but Sherwin-Williams tends to score higher than Valspar. The same goes for the “America’s Most Trusted” survey (2023) conducted by Lifestory Research. Sherwin-Williams and Valspar are both on the list of most trusted paint companies, but Sherwin-Williams comes out on top most years.
We found the same ranking in our tests and research. In many of our best painting guides, Sherwin-Williams products include more features than Valspar products. The same applies to other trusted third-party reviews.
Sherwin-Williams paints tend to be more expensive than Valspar paints
When it comes to price per gallon between Valspar and Sherwin-Williams, Sherwin-Williams paint is often more expensive. If you’re on a budget or want to paint a large area, this price can make a big difference. This higher price often reflects the higher quality of the product, but the caveat is that it may vary by product line. For example, one of Valspar Paint’s premium products may cost more (and perform better) than Sherwin-Williams’ lower priced product.
We spoke to Andre Kazimierski, CEO of national painting services company Improovy, about these two brands. He agrees that the higher the price, the higher the quality of the product, and feels that Sherwin-Williams paints “last much longer and resist chipping and scratches than Valspar paints, especially in the higher-end lines.” He said there was. Additionally, “Sherwin-Williams also provides better coverage, which reduces the number of coats needed and uses significantly less paint. In many cases, this is because Sherwin-Williams paints generally have better coverage than Valspar.” It helps even out the fact that it’s also expensive.”
Valspar paints may be more available than Sherwin-Williams paints for some shoppers
Valspar paints are sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and many other independent retailers. Sherwin-Williams paints are sold at Sherwin-Williams stores, and the brand’s HGTV Home series is sold at Lowe’s. There are many Sherwin-Williams stores across the country, but they are concentrated in densely populated areas. That means some shoppers may have to drive quite a distance to get to a Sherwin-Williams store. However, there are benefits to having brand-specific stores. Employees are knowledgeable about the brand and trained to help customers find the perfect Sherwin-Williams paint.
Valspar paints are available at Lowe’s and some other retailers, so it may be easier for some shoppers to obtain Valspar products. Lowe’s ships nationwide, so in some cases, you can even have branded paint shipped directly to your home.
our verdict
When comparing Valspar paint and Sherwin-Williams, Sherwin-Williams is the better paint brand. Sherwin-Williams’ products tend to be more expensive than his Valspar paints, but they often have superior formulas that are thicker, require fewer coats, and are more durable in the long run.
