Sherwin Williams Duration Paint Review
Is Duration Worth the Money?
Duration is a premium Sherwin Williams paint available in an interior and exterior version. Aside from their newer Emerald line of paint, Duration is still considered a top-quality paint. I paint homes with the interior and exterior version, and I will explain the pros and cons of the paint.
Per Gallon Cost
The cost is the biggest drawback if you buy this paint outside of a sale event or without a discount through a store account. As of 2017, the exterior paint sells for $73.49 per gallon at regular retail price. With a purchase of ten gallons, the total bill would be close to $800 without a sale. Fortunately, Sherwin Williams holds sale events throughout the year on this particular paint, which is usually for 30 to 40% off.
How Does the Paint Perform?
The question is whether Duration paint is worth the cost, or not. In terms of durability, the paint performs very well. I use it exclusively for all my exterior painting projects, unless the customer wants to use a different product. Duration expands over the substrate like a plastic film. It dries hard, but resists premature cracking and peeling in my experience.
If you plan to live in your home for a long time, repainting the exterior with Duration will reduce future repaint costs, especially if you buy it during a sales event.
The paint is also self-priming and doesn't require a primer when painted on previously painted surfaces. Bare wood areas should still be primed separately with an oil primer first. In my experience, the paint does cover exceptionally well in one coat, but I always apply two coats anyway for maximum durability.
What I don't like about Duration exterior, in terms of application, is the extra thickness makes it a little more difficult to cut-in sometimes. The paint also tend to gum up on a paint brush fast, especially when it's hot outside. I usually have to clean my brush three or four times to prevent hardening.
Duration is also backed by a lifetime warranty, however, I haven't used the warranty so I can't comment on that.
Duration Home Interior Paint
Duration Home is the interior version that offers similar quality as the exterior version, without the extra paint thickness. The paint is low voc. Every time I use this paint, the customer tells me they can't smell it. The paint odor is very minimal while wet.
Duration is great for steamy bathrooms prone to mildew growth. It has anti-microbial additives in the paint that prevent mildew. The paint is also highly washable, which is why I use it when painting kids rooms and high traffic areas of a house.
The matte and satin paint finishes are also durable enough to allow wall cleaning without ruining the painted surface. The flat finish does not cover well and I don't recommend it, although I was told it's still washable.
How Much Does the Paint Cost?
Similar to the exterior option, Duration Home is also expensive, selling for $62.99 per gallon, in 2017. The coverage is very good when painted over a smooth finish, so you won't have to buy extra material to finish your project. As explained in the beginning of this article, Sherwin Williams also holds sales events every year for this product. You can also open a store account to get a lower price and receive notifications for discount offers.
Touch-Up
Duration Home, like the exterior version, touches up very well without leaving marks. I have touched up my Duration-painted bathroom a couple times after a remodel and never had any problems with the paint blending in.
I use Duration for most of my painting projects and prefer it over less expensive options like Super Paint. The paint dries fast, allowing for the second coat to be applied the same day. Color coverage is much better than other paints I have used. If the cost is an issue, I recommend waiting for the next sales event, or check the Sherwin Williams website for coupons.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Questions & Answers
Sherwin Williams Duration paint in the matte finish is a nightmare. It looks and behaves more like a satin paint and always reflects spots. Do you have any other suggestions?
The matte finish does look more glossy than the typical matte paint, but I would imagine this is to make it easier to clean. As far as the touch-up problem goes, paint color plays a role in how well, or not, the paint will touch up. If the paint color is a deep blue, red, or green, these colors are generally more difficult to touch up successfully, regardless of the paint being used. Light colors always touch up easier. Glossy paints are also a little harder to touch up than flat paint. It's difficult to say exactly why the paint didn't touch up well because there are so many variables that could have caused it, but I haven't had this issue.
Helpful 12We've are re-siding with primed cement board and have new fascia/soffits as well. We live in the PNW so winters are harsh. We chose Dovetail Gray, 7018. Is it overkill to add 2 coats of paint to our house with everything new?
Two coats are more durable than one coat, especially with your cold winters, but Duration is a very durable paint that performs well even in one solid coat. Whether it covers in one coat though depends on the color you're painting over. Consider your paint finish too. If you use the satin finish, the paint will be less shiny in one coat. With two coats, the surface is smoother and easier to maintain with the garden hose etc.
Is there an additive that can be applied that will slow the paint drying time?
Yes. Floetrol by Flood works well for this. It helps level the paint finish. If you're spraying, it also reduces clogs and spray-tip wear.
Helpful 2Is Sherwin Williams duration paint good for higher temps?
Yes.
Helpful 1I've decided on Duration but note they sell Flat / Matte / Satin. I was used to Behr and used eggshell. The SW rep told me that matte is too flat and they recommend Satin. I don't want to risk putting up satin and having too much shine. Would you say SW Matte is like an eggshell?
Yes, the matte finish is fairly close to the sheen of an eggshell finish, although the level of eggshell sheen varies between brands anyway, the matte finish of Duration is smooth and washable with two coats. It's definitely not too flat like the rep said, but one coat is flatter than two coats. I always apply two coats. I use the matte finish on most of my painting projects unless the customer wants a higher level of sheen on the walls, but my clients have been happy with the matte. In a bathroom, I'll often use the satin finish. If you're painting walls that need to be cleaned frequently, satin will be more washable, otherwise matte is fine.
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Comments
Matt G. As a Sherwin Williams Manager. I thank you for giving good accurate advice about Sherwin Williams products! Thank you!
Im considering using 2 coats of Duration Satin on my aluminium sided home because I hear it will clean up easier. I decided on satin because I read satins have more polymers or resins which make the paint more durable and help adhere better than flat paints. Is this true? Also, after reading thru the Q&A I wonder if the satin will be shinier than what the "sheen chart" indicates. Will flat hold up to yearly cleaning, sometimes using spray washer and will 2 coats of flat provide a sheen?
thanks for this review. We've are re-siding with primed cement board and have new fascia/soffits as well. We live in the PNW so winters are harsh. Doing Dovetail Gray 7018. Is it overkill to do 2 coats with everything new? Thanks for you comment.
I have used Sherwin williams duration paint to paint the whole house. Here are the issues I ran into with it. I will never use it again! Expensive paint that doesn't perform.
- It doesn't adhere to the wall, doors, etc. For example if I mount a fixture and move it by slightly it takes off the paint. Then if I run my finger along it, the paint will just keep peeling requiring refill and repaint. Very annoying!
- The paint marks up easily and the marks don't come off easily.
- When touched up, the touch-ups are easily spotted.
Sherwin Wiliams primer was used as the base.
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