Every decoration job, no matter how big or small, requires the best paint products on the market. But choosing the best paint from the variety of products is often overwhelming.
Having tested and rated many paint products over the last decade, we not only got to know the brands but time and experience also taught us which brands to trust and which to avoid. Now, we want to share this knowledge with you.
The truth is that there are many trustworthy paint brands in the UK. Selecting our favourite top five wasn’t easy, but we based our choices on the diversity of the products, the reliability of the brand, affordability and durability.
The list below comprises the brands that most inspired us over the time, listed in no particular order.
Annie Sloan
Annie Sloan is more than a quality paint brand, she is one of the most respected paint experts in the world. Annie Sloan has revolutionised the paint market in 1990 when she launched her own brand and product, the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.
While Sloan didn’t come up with anything new, she brought to attention a product used in the ancient times but forgotten by the modern world. The thick chalk paint by Annie Sloan stands out due to its exceptional durability and to the inspiring selection of colours.
Chalk paint aside, the Annie Sloan brand also produces a selection of high-quality interior wall paints in a colour range that matches the chalk paint.
Other high-quality products worth mentioning are the stencils, brushes and fabrics intended to transform the interior design into art.
What sets Annie Sloan paints apart is the long-lasting finish and the selection of colours. The manufacturer proposes a limited range of shades that impress with their brightness. Undoubtedly, one of the chicest interior paints to consider.
Blackfriar
Blackfriar’s history began over 100 years ago with a small selection of paint products and today, the manufacturer is renowned for its wood stains and varnishes, although it also produces a small range of paints for interior and exterior metal, masonry and decorative wall paints.
The professional range of paint products also includes a selection of sealers and primers, lacquers and solar reflective paints.
Regardless of the type of paint you need, Blackfriar paints stand out thanks to their impressive resistance and durability.
One slight drawback of the brand is the reduced number of colours. The choices are limited, and the brand focuses more on quality than aesthetics. The products we liked best are the wood varnishes for interior and exterior use. The metal and aluminium ranges are also exceptional while the professional range is ideal for both commercial and domestic use.
The British company is based in County Durham and sells its products globally.
Crown
Crown is one of those paint brands renowned all over the world, and over the years we’ve tested the vast majority of their products.
The brand distinguishes itself with a wide range of standard emulsion and speciality paints for interior walls and ceilings. The Crown Trade brand comprises superior quality paints for professional use, but we can state that the standard Crown products are better than many others on the market.
Wood and metal surfaces also benefit from Crown’s products. In fact, the manufacturer produces a selection of gloss and sheen paints for interior and exterior wood and metal.
Feature interior wall paints comprise a selection of metallic and textured products in addition to the traditional dramatic colours. Their selection of emulsion paints also includes breathable and washable products formulated for high-traffic areas.
Crown’s history began in the late 1850s and for a brief period, it was part of the Akzo Nobel group. In June 2011 the company was acquired by the Danish Hempel Group and today produces paints and related products under the brand names Crown, Crown Trade, Sadolin and Sandtex.
Dulux
Dulux is an omnipresent name on the UK’s paint products market. The company is part of the Akzo Nobel group and it manufactures wall emulsions, acrylic paints, varnishes and related products under several brand names.
The feature that counter-distinguishes Dulux from all other brands is the generous colour choice. Most products can count on a colour range of 80 shades or above.
One of the most popular products is Dulux Weathershield, an outstanding masonry paint available in a selection of colours and a range of finishes. Just as Crown, Dulux also sells professional paints and painting products under the Dulux Trade brand, and under this name the company also proposes a range of tint-able interior and exterior paints.
Our favourite products manufactured under the standard Dulux brand are the breathable interior paints for walls and ceilings, but also the feature wall paints available in a wide range of dramatic shades.
Johnstone’s
Like all the brands mentioned above, Johnstone’s is a brand with a long history on the market. The manufacturer launched its first product in 1890 and established itself as the foremost professional trade paint brand in the UK.
Today, Johnstone’s is still renowned for its trade range but also for its exceptional range of affordable paints for domestic use.
The range of products proposed by Johnstone’s includes a selection of wall and ceiling emulsions, speciality paints, wood and metal paints and wood care products, exterior paints, and related products.
Our favourite range is Johnstone’s Revival, a limited collection of dramatic shades ideal for interior feature walls. As for the general colour range, the brand impresses with a selection of neutrals and dramatic shades, including a range of cold and warm tonalities that can match all interiors.
In Summary
Choosing a favourite brand is often a matter of preference. Personal experience counts and some of you may claim there are brands better than these. We’re not ones to argue and if your favourite brand is not on this list, add it yourself by commenting on this post. We look forward to hearing from you.