Valspar vs Sherwin Williams: Which Paint Brand Is Better

So, you’ve made up your mind – you’re going to finally take on that painting project you’ve been thinking about. Good for you! But an important question remains: which brand of paint will you use?

Two of the most recognizable and trusted paint brands on the market are Sherwin Williams and Valspar. Both have many loyal customers who swear by their products – but who has time to read through endless reviews to try to find out which brand is the best?

That’s why we’ve created this guide. Together, we’ll break down the Valspar vs Sherwin Williams debate by focusing on the factors and qualities that really matter. By the end, you’ll feel ready to make the right choice for your painting project.

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Overview of Brands

Before diving into our trait-by-trait comparisons of Valspar vs Sherwin Williams, let’s briefly familiarize ourselves with the history and scope of these two companies.

Valspar

Founded in 1806 and based in Minneapolis, Valspar has over two centuries of paint-making experience. Having started with paint and then gradually expanding to incorporate varnishes and tools, they currently boast a wide range of paints, stains, brushes, and rollers in their portfolio. This brand is a household name and can be frequently spotted on the shelves of major retailers.

Sherwin Williams

Also dating back to the 19th century, Sherwin Williams was founded in 1866 and is based in Cleveland. Like Valspar, Sherwin Williams offers a variety of paints, stains, brushes, rollers, and other tools.

The quality that perhaps sets this company the most apart from the rest is the fact that they own their own stores. Instead of being sold in other retail chains, Sherwin Williams paint is almost exclusively sold at Sherwin Williams stores.

Aren’t They the Same Company?

You may recall having heard of a large company merger in the paint industry a few years back. Yes, it’s true – Sherwin Williams actually acquired Valspar in a multi-billion dollar deal in 2017.

Nevertheless, even though the businesses have merged, Valspar and Sherwin Williams still remain separate brands with their own product lines. So, there are still plenty of differences between their paints – and plenty of comparisons to make!

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Comparing Valspar and Sherwin Williams

Having learned a little more about these brands and what they offer, we’ll now dive into the main points of the Valspar vs Sherwin Williams debate to see how they stack up against each other in terms of key product qualities and services.

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Color Selection: Valspar vs Sherwin Williams

Of course, one of the most basic deciding factors of any paint selection is the ability to find the perfect color. How does the range of colors for these two brands compare? Do the companies offer any services to help you choose a color for your project? Let’s take a look.

Valspar

The human eye can perceive over two million distinct colors – and that’s how many different paint colors Valspar claims they can make.

Boasting a very large color portfolio, this brand offers options for clients to create custom colors. They also offer free paint color chip delivery to your home to help you visualize how specific colors will look in your unique space.

Valspar offers a few different services to assist you with choosing a color. For instance, you can fill out an online questionnaire in preparation for a free virtual color consultation. The company’s Color Visualizer tool also lets you see what a certain color will look like by “painting” a model room with it.

Sherwin Williams

While not offering quite as many custom options, this brand boasts a palette of over 1700 color choices. Like Valspar, Sherwin Williams offers free paint color chip delivery to your home to compare hues, along with free virtual color consultations to help you decide.

Valspar allows you to try colors in a predetermined model room; Sherwin Williams does too, but also takes things a step forward. Their ColorSnap visualization app allows you to see what a color will look like in your own room. Just snap a picture of your space, and see what you think of the shade you’ve selected to preview.

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Paint Quality: Valspar vs Sherwin Williams

Another important factor to consider is the quality of the paint. When it comes to these two brands, what is their reputation for paint quality? Do they manufacture their paint themselves? Here’s what we found.

Valspar

Valspar puts a lot of emphasis on the fact that their paint is made from 100% acrylic. This formula is meant to dry quickly and last longer – making your painting project easier.

Offering several different paint lines, there are varying degrees of quality available. For instance, their Ultra line is more affordable, but the Signature line is known to be better quality. This allows customers to select the appropriate product for their specific project and budget.

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams owns over 300 facilities that manufacture their paint in small batches. This practice is meant to ensure the paint’s quality and integrity.

Like Valspar, Sherwin Williams offers several different lines of paints with varying quality ranges. The Emerald line, for example, is known for being exceptionally high-quality.

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Ease of Application: Valspar vs Sherwin Williams

When it’s time to get down to the business of painting, no one wants the surprise of finding out that their chosen paint is a nightmare to work with. For these two brands, we want to know: how well does the paint lay down? How many coats do you typically need? Let’s compare.

Valspar

According to many reviews and testimonies, customers have reported that most Valspar projects need two coats of paint, with some needing three.

While the quick-drying aspect of Valspar’s paint is frequently marketed as a benefit, some users claim that it can cause problems for application. Because it dries so rapidly, your individual brush strokes may be more visible – making it more difficult to achieve that flawlessly solid painted area.

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams customers report that most painting projects only need one or two coats. Therefore, if you’re comparing Valspar vs Sherwin Williams, it would appear that Sherwin Williams may allow you to do more with less.

Sherwin Williams also provides easy application, with the paint flowing nicely from the paintbrush or roller. However, remember that the paint reportedly becomes glossier with each layer applied; therefore, touch-ups tend to be more visible after the fact, which can be a drawback.

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Durability & Longevity: Valspar vs Sherwin Williams

You’ll be putting a lot of hard work into this project, so it’s natural to wonder: how long will your paint job last? And how well will it resist scuffing and wear? Let’s see how these two brands measure up.

Valspar

Since Valspar’s paint is completely acrylic, the company claims it is very durable and protects well against cleaning and scrubbing. However, the customer reviews on this subject are a mixed bag. Some consumers claim that the paint is extremely washable and resistant to scratches, while others report that the paint scuffs easily and even cracks.

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams’ paint durability rating differs depending on which paint line you choose to use. But overall, the general consensus seems to be that the paint is very durable. Customers have reported experiencing good washability and resistance to scuffing. Unsurprisingly, the Duration line is especially noteworthy in this category.

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Price: Valspar vs Sherwin Williams

Staying within your budget is an important aspect of any home improvement project. How do the prices of these two paint brands compare? Does one brand offer more bang for your buck? Let’s break it down.

Valspar

Depending on which line you choose, Valspar typically comes in at $25 to $55 per gallon. The company is known to offer seasonal sales, which are frequently buy-one-get-one-half promotions. You can also take advantage of different sales and offers from the retail stores where it is sold.

Sherwin Williams

Compared to Valspar, Sherwin Williams is somewhat more expensive overall at $40 to $90 per gallon. Again, the prices will vary depending on which line you choose. Sherwin Williams also offers sales often, which can help make their products more affordable.

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Availability: Valspar vs Sherwin Williams

Last but not least, let’s consider where you’ll buy the paint for your project. Where is this paint sold? Is one brand available in more store locations? Here’s what we found.

Valspar

Valspar paint is commonly sold at Lowe’s and other independent retailers, making it accessible to many shoppers. The website has a tool showing where the closest retailer is based on your location.

Customers can also shop online via the Lowe’s website, from which the products can be shipped to your home or sent to the store for pickup.

Sherwin Williams

Since this company owns its own stores, it’s no surprise that Sherwin Williams paint is primarily sold at Sherwin Williams stores. Having a single primary retailer may initially raise concerns about availability, but with over 5000 company-owned stores, this doesn’t seem to be an issue. Certain paint lines (like the HGTV Home collection) are also sold at Lowe’s.

Customers can shop via the website as well, but any paint that you purchase has to then be picked up at a Sherwin Williams store.

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Valspar vs Sherwin Williams: Which One is Right for You?

Clearly, both of these brands have a lot to offer. But which one should you pick up for your next painting project?

Valspar may be the best option for those holding a tighter budget or looking for a shorter-term painting solution. Depending on your situation, the brand’s ability to supply custom colors and its availability at large retail stores like Lowe’s may also be beneficial.

However, when compared with Valspar, Sherwin Williams may have the upper hand in several other aspects. The overall paint quality and ease of application seem better, and if you can justify the slightly higher price, you’ll be repaid in greater durability and longevity.

Ultimately, the choice of Valspar vs Sherwin Williams will come down to what fits you, your project, and your budget. Hopefully, our comparisons have helped you decide – but if you’d still like to consider more options, check out our other posts about other paint brands!