Randy Charles is the owner of PaintCentric.com, a website dedicated to providing information, tips, tricks, and news about all things paint. With over 10 years...Read more
The question which this article answers is why is Sherwin Williams paint so expensive? Most people are likely to point to the strong brand and reputation the company has built for itself. In addition, the company uses high-quality materials in producing the paints and offers a low “cost per year of service.” Since 1866, Sherwin-Williams Company has been there in the business of paints, varnishes, and specialty coatings for the world. They stand out to be the largest producers of these products.
Sherwin-Williams is an American company that majors in paint and coating manufacturing. The company’s main services include distributing and selling paints, coatings, floorcoverings, and related products. Their major clients are primarily professional, commercial, industrial, and retailers in North and South America and Europe.
The company is into the production of some home improvement-related items as well. Such products include industrial finishes for OEM (original equipment manufacturers) and motor vehicle finishes. Their strong brand and reputation status is a well-known influence in the paint and coating manufacturing industry. There are many reasons why Sherwin-Williams paint is that expensive. As you read on, you will see the full details of this all-important question.
Is Sherwin Williams Paints High-Quality Paint?
Sherwin Williams Paints are high-quality due to the benefits they provide. The look of the finished work and the durability of the paint makes it one of the sought-after paints. Also, the low maintenance of the paint is another factor that contributes to its quality. Also, the company uses high-quality materials for its paints.
When we talk about quality and the benefits of painting, we consider so many factors. The look of the finished work and the durability of the paint matters a lot. If a little stain on a just-concluded painted wall requires so much to correct, then there’s a problem. So, the maintenance of the paint is another factor those quality paint look at.
When we speak of high-quality paint, we are talking about the ingredients, which is the material that enables the paint to apply easily; it makes the work look better and more durable. The major ingredients in paint production are Pigment, Binders, Liquids, Additives, and Cost per year of service. All these are present in Sherwin Williams’s paint.
Pigment
Every can of paint contains two types of pigments. The first one is the prime pigments. The work of these pigments is to provide color and hide. The second pigments are low-cost extender pigments. They add bulk or volume to the product but add little value in terms of color. On this, the quality of pain depends on the mixture of these pigments available in the paint Can. The more prime pigments in a gallon, the higher the quality. It provides easier application, greater durability, and better color retention.
Binders
The type, quality, and amount of binder in a mixture of paint affect the quality of the paint. This is relevant to stain resistance, crack resistance, etc. High-quality binders adhere better to surfaces and provide enhanced film integrity. It also lasts longer. This is what makes the finished work to be resistant to peeling, cracking, and blistering.
Liquids
The liquid provides no added performance benefits. It’s simply what makes it possible for you to take the paint from the can to the face where it is needed. The higher the ratio of solids (pigments and binders to liquids), the higher the paint quality.
Additives
Additives represent the ingredients that give the paint a specific benefit that sometimes might not be there. Common additives in higher-end paints include:
- Rheology modifiers
- Mildewcides to keep mildew in check.
- Different dispersing agents
- Preservatives to prevent spoilage.
Cost per year of service
One thing paint buyers are advised to look out for is something called “cost per year of service.” What this means is that the paint you buy has a life span, and it is Cost per Year of Service that is used to calculate the life span of the paint product. A good example is buying 20 gallons of low-quality exterior latex for $20 and getting ready to repeat your painting in six years. On the other hand, if you buy high-quality paint for $35 per gallon, you will be looking at 25 years to repaint.
In a simple analysis, your out-of-pocket cost will be $400 if you go for the lower quality of $20 per gallon. Since the expected life span is six years, the cost per year is $67. If you go for the high-quality paint for $35 per gallon, your out-of-pocket cost is $700. It might look as if you are spending more by parting with $700 against $400. The truth is that you are saving money because the cost per is just $28. The calculation is very easy. Just divide $400 by 6 years and divide $700 by 25 years.
Another thing about lower quality paint:
- Require more coats to cover an area
- Need maintenance in the short term because they are not durable
- The finished work does not deliver the color efficiently as the high-quality paint
Everything discussed above is of the highest top-score-rating with Sherwin Williams paints.
Why Is Sherwin Williams Paint So Expensive?
The expensive nature of Sherwin Williams paint is relevant to the consistent quality of products they have maintained over time. The company stands out in quality as maker of the most recognized high-quality paints in the world. Moreover, they have built a high-quality brand and reputable name for themselves. The Companys operation dates back to 1866, making them have a long time of experience in experiments and practice.
Sherwin Williams Company is not a generic brand. Instead, it is a well-known world-renowned brand known for quality and reliability. There is no history of deterioration of any kind due to cheapening of the production formula or ingredients.
The question of why is Sherwin Williams paint so expensive spins out the history of consistency, reliability, and originality. Sherwin Williams’ Company knows that quality is essential to brand recognition, and they have never dropped in quality products production.
The reason why Sherwin Williams is so expensive is in the bullet summary below:
- Sherwin Williams Company is the originator of the production formula or ingredients of their paints. So, they know how to construct and update the quality of products they roll out.
- The ingredients mixtures of Sherwin Williams paints are done with quality as their target goal. This is why painters prefer their products.
- Their paints have a very low “Cost per Year of Service” because of their durability.
- It takes a lower quantity to cover the area than the lower quality paints.
- The delivery of the colors is equal to none.
How Much Does Sherwin Williams Paint Cost?
The price of Sherwin William paint ranges from $35 to $90 per gallon. The price of the paints depends on the different products. The Company has different products such as SuperPaint, Emerald, Cashmere, Duration, Captivate, Harmony, ProClassic, Eminence Ceiling Paint, etc. This, of course, means different prices. You can get the price of Sherwin Williams paints on their Williams website. The price list presented in this article is the latest price on their website.
Please, note that the different products of Sherwin Williams Company are for different purposes. They have products for interior, exterior, Cars,
- SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex –$60.49 per gallon
- Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex – $74.49 per gallon
- Emerald Designer Edition Interior Latex – $94.99 per gallon
- Cashmere Interior Latex – $60.49 per gallon
- Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex – $69.99 per gallon
- Captivate Interior Latex – $38.49 per gallon
- Harmony Interior Acrylic Latex – $65.49 per gallon
- ProClassic Waterborne Enamel – $79.99 per gallon
- ProClassic Alkyd Interior Enamel – $79.99 per gallon
- Eminence Ceiling – $36.99 per gallon
- All Surface – $72.79 per gallon
- SnapDry Door and Trim – $79.49 per gallon
- EcoSelect Latex paint – $56.79 per gallon
- Exterior Super Paint – $63.49 per gallon
- Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex – $85.99 per gallon
- Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex – $80.99 per gallon
- Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex – $80.99 per gallon
- Resilience Exterior Acrylic Latex –$73.49 per gallon
- A-100 Exterior Acrylic Latex – $49.49 per gallon
What Affects The Cost Of Sherwin Williams Paints?
Some factors affect the overall price of Sherwin Williams paints. The major factor that affects the cost is called “Paint Finish.” Normally, paints come in different finishes. It is the finishes that determine the final luster or shine of the finished paint job. Sherwin Williams Company offer lots of finishes, which includes the following:
- Satin
- Semi-Gloss
- Flat
- Gloss
- Eggshell
- High Gloss
- Matte
- Low Lustre
- Medium Lustre
- Pearl
- Ultra Matte
- Velvet
In comparison to other paint brands, the list of the finishes here outnumbers all other paint company finishes. It means that you have more options with the Sherwin Williams store than most other paint stores.
Another factor that can impact the overall price of the paint is additional qualities you may ask for. For example, you should expect price adjustment if you ask mildew resistant paint for a high-moisture area because the quality is different.
Type of Sherwin Williams paint
Sherwin Williams Company is a versatile paint producer. They have different types of products for different purposes. They serve both manufacturers and homeowners alike. Some of the areas their products serve are:
- Car paints and coatings
- Wood stains
- Siding stains
- Solvents and removers
- Caulks
- Masonry restoration and protection
- Brushes/ rollers/ spray equipment
Some popular Sherwin Williams products are; SuperPaint, Emerald, Cashmere, Duration, Captivate, Harmony, ProClassic, ProClassic, Eminence, SnapDry, etc. EcoSelect.
Is Sherwin-Williams More Expensive Than Benjamin Moore?
Sherwin Williamss products are higher in price. The price of Sherwin Williams paint ranges from $38 to $100 per gallon, while that of Benjamin Moore stands between $48 and $80 per gallon. Nevertheless, both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are the two best quality paints in the market.
They have maintained this position for many years. The price of their products is very high simply because of the quality. But the question here now is which of them have a higher product price than the other?
Most times, Sherwin Williams products cost around $38 to $100 per gallon, depending on the type of paint. The average cost is $70. Some of the standard prices that Sherwin Williams Company offers are listed below:
Exterior Paint
- Emerald: $95 $102
- FlexTemp: $70 $75
- SuperPaint: $60 $65
- A-100: $40 50
Interior Paint
- Emerald: $75 $100
- Duration: $70 $75
- Cashmere: $60 $70
- SuperPaint: $60 $65
- Captivate: $35 $45
Benjamin Moore exterior paint costs around $48 to $80. Some of their standard price range is shown below:
Exterior Paint
- Regal Select: $63
- Ben Waterborne: $48
Interior Paint
- Aura: $80 average
- Regal Select Waterborne: $59
- Ben Waterborne: $42
- Muresco Ceiling: $42
To stamp a word for the answer of whose products price is more than the other, Sherwin Williamss products are higher in price.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Sherwin Williams is among the best paint brands in the world at large. You get more options when it comes to choosing finishes in the Sherwin Williams store than any other paint brand. The major answer to why is Sherwin Williams paint is so expensive is simply quality and reliability.
The high price of Sherwin Williams Paint does not stop people from buying the products because of known reliability. Since the product is known to be durable, the long-standing reputation of the products assures buyers value for their money.

Randy Charles is the owner of PaintCentric.com, a website dedicated to providing information, tips, tricks, and news about all things paint. With over 10 years of experience in the painting industry, Randy has become an expert in the field and is passionate about helping others learn more about painting. He has written numerous articles on the subject and is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information to his readers.
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