Valspar vs Behr: Which Paint Brand is Better?

It would be understandable for any DIY painter to get frustrated while trying to choose among the array of paint brands. In this post, you’ll get a detailed look at two popular paint brands, Valspar vs Behr, to help you decide which paint brand is better.

Both Valspar and Behr are well-respected brands, but each has significant differences from the other in everything from price to durability to color availability. Read on to learn more about Valspar vs Behr to make the best choice for your next DIY painting project.

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Valspar vs Behr Paint Selection

It probably won’t surprise you that both Valspar and Behr have an expansive collection of interior and exterior paints. Behr offers four types of interior paint and three types of exterior paint. Valspar offers six types of interior paint, four types of exterior paint, and one interior/exterior paint option.

Colors

Both Valspar and Behr have hundreds of colors available for your DIY needs, but the Behr selection is somewhat more limited than Valspar. And if you’re working on an exterior project, you should know that Behr’s exterior color selections generally will be more subtle and muted than Valspar.

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Valspar vs Behr Durability

An interesting thing in comparing Valspar and Behr paint is that while Valspar is thinner, it’s considered by experts to be more durable than Behr. Because it is thinner, it will require more Valspar paint than Behr paint to complete a DIY job. But if Valspar lasts longer than Behr, that could be money well spent.

More specifically, many painters indicate that Behr is more susceptible to cracking than Valspar. Also, there have been some indications, though not many, that Behr paint may scrub off in some circumstances.

Another point in Valspar’s favor is that many people who have used it consider it to be easier to clean than Behr. And finally, Valspar is generally believed to stand up better in high-traffic and high-use areas.

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Valspar vs Behr Paint Coverage

When considering how well a given brand of paint covers the area getting a new coat of paint, it’s important to distinguish between exterior and interior coverage issues. Read on for a comprehensive look at coverage issues of Valspar vs Behr.

Valspar vs Behr exterior paint coverage

In terms of exterior paint, Behr is noted for its excellent coverage. However, that doesn’t mean you should try to get by with a single coat of Behr for your exterior DIY painting project. Just think of that second coat as added insurance that you won’t need to repaint for several years.

Regarding Valspar’s exterior paint coverage, you’ll definitely need more than one coat. As you’ll read elsewhere in this post, Valspar is a thinner paint than Behr. While that means it is easier to apply, particularly for novice DIY painters, it also means more work to ensure adequate coverage.

Valspar vs Behr interior paint coverage

When looking at interior paint options across a wide variety of brands, one name consistently rises to the top: Behr Marquee.

Behr Marquee, a combined paint and primer, is noted in particular for the smooth finish it imparts to interior painting projects. Behr Marquee also earns praise for its stain resistance and its ability to handle the bumps and dings of everyday life.

Valspar’s Reserve brand interior paint has also attracted attention for its coverage capabilities. Even a single coat of Valspar provides exceptional coverage, according to experts. Particularly if you’re painting over a dark color, Valspar is an excellent choice as an interior paint.

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Valspar vs Behr Exterior Paint

In terms of their exterior paint products, choosing between Valspar and Behr might be a toss-up. Your choice will depend on exactly what you’re looking for in an exterior paint.

Behr exterior paints are generally considered to provide better coverage per coat than Valspar exterior paints. That will certainly save time in terms of your DIY labor, and Behr’s better coverage may also save you some money.

On the other hand, Valspar is particularly noted for its resistance to fading and to mildew. That can be a real plus if your home is in an area that gets a lot of sun and/or a lot of rain.

Another point in Valspar’s favor is that it can be applied in temperatures as low as 35 degrees. That means you can wait until the cooler seasons of the year to pursue your DIY exterior painting project.

However, Behr might be your best choice if the exterior of your home has any appearance issues. Because it is thicker, Behr paint will help conceal imperfections in your exterior siding or other finishes.

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Valspar vs Behr Interior Paint

If your DIY painting project involves the interior walls of your home, you’ll certainly want to choose the best paint for the job. So, in addition to looking through our assessment here, you might also want to check things out for yourself.

To do that, go to your local paint center or big-box home improvement store and get a small can of both paints. You’ll also find knowledgeable professionals at those places who can provide you with additional insights as to which brand works best in your area.

You may have to go to different places to find each brand because not all paint brands are carried at all home improvement stores or paint centers. When you find your small cans of both paints, take them home and apply each to a small section of the area you’re planning to paint.

As you apply the Valspar vs Behr paints, note how each covers the test area. Also, pay attention to how easy, or difficult, it is to apply Valspar vs Behr to the test area. You should also pay attention to the drying time of Valspar vs Behr paint.

As another way to determine whether Valspar or Behr paint would be best for your project, ask friends and neighbors who may have used either brand.

In general, our look at Valspar vs Behr paint for interior use shows that Behr provides smoother coverage. Behr also will require fewer coats of paint to complete the job. Valspar, on the other hand, is both durable and easy to clean, so the hassle of applying additional coats may be worth the effort.

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Valspar vs Behr Cost Comparison

You’ll generally pay less per gallon for Valspar’s premium combined paint and primer for interior use than you’ll pay for the same Behr paint, but not by much.

Valspar and Behr’s premium one-coat interior paint and primer options are priced within about $5 of each other. Both Behr and Valspar indicate that a gallon of their premium one-coat paint and primer will cover up to 400 square feet.

When it comes to a gallon of exterior paint, Behr is about $10 more than Valspar. The Behr paint is advertised as being able to cover 250 to 400 square feet per gallon. A gallon of the Valspar paint should cover up to 400 square feet, according to the manufacturer.

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Valspar vs Behr Frequently Asked Questions

You now have an extensive comparison of Valspar vs Behr paint, but it’s understandable if you have additional questions. Read on for even more details on Behr vs Valspar in a comparison of the two paint brands.

Which takes longer to dry, Behr or Valspar?

The interesting point here is that Valspar has what many professional and DIY painters see as an occasional problem in that it may dry too fast. In fact, if you’re painting a large room, the paint brushed or rolled on first may dry well before the room is completed.

What that means is that you may have visible paint streaks in your finished room. But if you’ve chosen Valspar for other reasons important to you, there are ways to get around the quick drying. You can either paint on a cool, slightly moist day, or you can have friends help you get the job done faster.

Is it better for DIY painters to use thicker Behr paint or thinner Valspar paint?

Particularly if you’re new to DIY painting, Valspar might be a better choice than Behr. According to experts, Valspar’s thinner consistency means that it is easier to apply with brushes and rollers than Behr.

Also, if you use Behr paint, you may find yourself spending a lot of time getting excess paint off of your brush or roller. That means it will take more time to apply it to your wall or other painting projects.

Which paint is easier to use in a sprayer, Behr or Valspar?

Professional painters generally agree that Behr is better than Valspar for use in a paint sprayer. Behr seems to disperse more evenly through a sprayer. Behr’s even dispersal means that you’ll likely end up using less of it than would be the case with Valspar paint.

Of course, unless you already own one, buying or renting a paint sprayer will add some cost to your DIY painting project.

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Wrapping up Valspar vs Behr: Which Paint Brand is Better?

As you’ve learned, there are good reasons for choosing either Valspar or Behr paint for your DIY project. But in all honesty, for the Valspar vs Behr question, each brand has its drawbacks as well.

On balance, though, economics will drive many DIY painting decisions. And while Valspar and Behr cost roughly the same, it will take more gallons of the thinner Valspar paint for your project. So, on a pure cost basis, Behr will be the better paint brand for DIY painting needs.

There is plenty of additional help for your painting projects at DIY Painting Tips. For comprehensive guidance, check out the posts on exterior painting and interior painting. Other posts at DIY Painting Tips cover everything from a guide to painting tools to help with painting furniture.