If you’re using Sherwin-Williams paint for your next home improvement project, you’ll have to decide which paint line to choose.
Sherwin-Williams offers two distinct products with some slight differences: Duration Home and SuperPaint. The company is known for producing high-quality paint products, so you really can’t go wrong with either one.
Still, there are some slight differences to consider. You’ll want to select the right paint for the job so you’ll be happy with the end result. This guide will explain the advantages of each so you can make the best decision.
Both SuperPaint and Duration are good quality paint products. However, the Duration line is thicker and more durable, and it lasts much longer. So it typically costs more than SuperPaint, but you should be able to use less. SuperPaint might be better if you’re doing improvements on a budget, painting a rental wall, or for new construction.
SuperPaint Advantages
Better for an older home
If you’re painting an older home or a wall with many existing paint layers, SuperPaint may be the better option. It’s thinner and more breathable than Duration, meaning any moisture trapped in the wood will be able to get out without causing bubbling or peeling.
Vinyl safe
The SuperPaint line is safe to use on vinyl, which is important because some paints will cause damage if you use them on vinyl surfaces. Further, the line has over 100 colors to choose from that are vinyl safe, including some darker colors that aren’t traditionally available for vinyl.
Dry time
SuperPaint has a fairly quick drying time. Within just four hours (assuming temperatures and humidity are normal), you’ll be able to recoat the surface or close your windows if you open them for ventilation. SuperPaint interior latex paint is dry to the touch within 1 hour under normal conditions.
Can be used in cool temperatures
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint is formulated with what the company calls Advanced Resin Technology. As a result, you can apply it successfully even in cool temperatures. Of course, the ideal conditions are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can apply most sheens as long as the temperature is above 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lasts between 7-10 years
Because SuperPaint is a Sherwin-Williams product, it’s good quality, durable paint. You can expect the paint job to last at least 7-10 years as long as it is properly applied. The company offers a 15-year limited warranty.
1700 colors available
SuperPaint is available in a huge range of color options. There are both interior and exterior paints that are available in several different sheens. Sherwin-Williams boasts a line of over 1,700 colors to choose from, meaning there’s something for every space.
Duration Advantages
A self-priming, one-coat coverage paint
Duration is a great quality paint option. It offers excellent one-coat coverage and is formulated with primer already in the base. That means you don’t have to buy two products and spend time applying primer and waiting for it to dry.
Steel, aluminum, and vinyl safe
Duration is a little more versatile than SuperPaint because you can use it on a variety of surfaces, including steel, aluminum, and vinyl. Plus, there are over 100 vinyl-safe color options.
Dry time
Duration paint dries quickly and is dry to the touch in as little as one hour. Of course, the exact time depends on the conditions (temperature, humidity), but you should be safe to recoat within 4 hours. Oil-based coats need 24 hours of drying time.
Prevents blistering and peeling
Because of the paint’s high quality and moisture-blocking technology, Duration interior paint is resistant to peeling and blistering. So, in spaces with high humidity like bathrooms and laundry rooms, this paint is the ideal choice.
The thick, high-quality formula also helps to prevent these issues after drying, meaning your paint job will look as nice as it did on the first day for many years.
Lasts between 8-10 years
Duration paint is thick and durable, so it lasts for many, many years. While it has a lifetime limited warranty, in most cases you can expect it to keep its high-quality look for at least 8-10 years.
1700 colors available
Sherwin-Williams offers a wide variety of paint colors across from vibrant brights to soft neutrals. When choosing your Duration paint, you’ll have over 1700 color choices. Plus, there are over 100 vinyl-safe color options available.
Coverage per Gallon of SuperPaint vs. Duration
SuperPaint
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint typically covers about 300 to 400 square feet per gallon. Of course, the exact yield depends on how thick your application is and how many coats you do. If you’re planning to paint trim, molding, baseboards, or doors, you’ll need to take that into account, too.
To measure the space, calculate the width (in feet) multiplied by the height (in feet). That will give you the wall’s area. Add up the total for each of your walls to get the total, then subtract the area of any windows.
Duration
Sherwin-Williams Duration paint will normally cover between 250 and 400 square feet per gallon. The coverage is fairly equal with SuperPaint, though the consistency is slightly thicker, so you may end up getting slightly less yield depending on your painting technique and tools.
The good news is that you normally don’t need multiple coats of Duration, so you can normally make your gallon go a lot farther than some of the cheaper paints on the market.
Costs of SuperPaint vs. Duration
SuperPaint
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint costs bethween $70 and $80 per gallon. Their interior latex SuperPaint is priced around $78, while the interior acrylic with air purifying technology is priced from $75-$81.
Exterior latex is priced from $72 to $81, and interior acrylic latex is priced from $69 to $75. However, Sherwin-Williams frequently offers 25% off coupon deals to purchase the paint at a discount.
Duration
Compared to SuperPaint, Duration is slightly more expensive. Duration exterior acrylic lates paint is priced from $93 to $99 per gallon. For Duration interior acrylic latex paint, the price is $80 to $85 per gallon.
However, Sherwin-Williams offers the same 25% off coupons and other deals on the Duration line. Still, Duration is typically around $15 per more gallon than SuperPaint.
Availability of Sheens
SuperPaint
Sheen refers to the paint’s finish and how glossy it appears once it’s dried on the surface. SuperPaint interior latex paint can be purchased in the following standard sheens:
- Flat (non-reflective)
- Satin (slight gloss, good for high-traffic areas)
- Velvet (slight gloss, good for cleanability)
- Semi-gloss (shiny and durable)
SuperPaint exterior acrylic latex is available in these sheen options:
- Flat
- Low lustre
- Satin
- Gloss
- High-gloss
However, not all paints are available in all sheens. For example, the interior paint with sanitizing technology is only available in the satin finish. The SuperPaint with air purifying technology is available in flat, satin, and semi-gloss.
Duration
Sherwin-Williams Exterior Duration paint is available in four standard sheens:
- Flat (non-reflective)
- Low lustre (smooth, minimal sheen)
- Satin (slightly more sheen)
- Gloss (shiny finish, more durable)
- High-gloss (Even shinier finish, most durable)
However, the acrylic latex interior paint is available in these standard sheens:
- Flat
- Satin
- Matte
- Semi-gloss
Still, the available options may change based on the paint color you choose, as not all colors may be available in all sheens. That’s because various formulations and additives can impact how the paint looks and acts when you apply it.
Washability Factors
SuperPaint
SuperPaint is an acrylic latex paint, so it’s water-based and easy to clean up. Oonce the paint is dry and on the wall, the durable one-coat formula goes on smooth and is easy to clean with a sponge or rag. And if you go with a glossier finish, it’s even easier to clean walls and other surfaces.
Duration
Sherwin-Williams Duration is a high-quality paint product. Like SuperPaint, it’s an acrylic latex product, so cleaning up after your project is complete is simple and doesn’t require mineral spirits or harsh chemicals.
Once the Duration paint is dry, it holds up very well to washing and cleaning. Duration is a good option for high-traffic areas and kids’ rooms. This product can hold up against standard household cleaning products without damaging the finish. Go with satin for easiest cleaning.
Ease of Application
SuperPaint
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint is a great one-coat product that goes on easily and smoothly, without needing to prime the area first. You can use a roller to cover large areas with ease, or you can use a brush for edges and details. Either way, you’ll end up with a smooth, clean finish with minimal streaking or roller marks. It’s also a little thinner than Duration, making it easier to cover large areas while maintaining a uniform look.
These paints are dry to the touch within one hour and ready for a recoat after four hours. That means you don’t have to be too careful with the area while you’re working.
Duration
Sherwin-Williams Duration paint is formulated with self-leveling properties, which means you don’t have to worry about lines and roller marks as you paint. The thick, rich paint goes on very smoothly and covers with one-coat in most cases.
Duration is also very forgiving. It hides imperfections very well and blends easily, further improving the product’s ease of application.
However, Duration can be temperature sensitive. So, if you’re trying to paint in very cold temperatures (below freezing) you may have trouble.
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