IS URETHANE PAINT WORTH THE PRICE TAG?
Quality urethane paints cure to a harder, more durable finish than non-urethane paints. But they cost substantially more than non-urethane paints, ranging from $65 to $100 per gallon. Are they worth it? It depends on what you’re painting. If you’re painting walls and ceilings, surfaces that don’t get hard use, acrylic latex paints are better. For trim, doors or cabinets, however, urethane paints might save you money over the long run, as they won’t need to be repainted as often. Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, for example, was formulated specifically for durability, resistance to stains, scratches, abrasions, weathering and washing. Urethane paints also have their place in exterior applications. Obviously, exterior doors benefit from a hard-wearing coating, but I wouldn’t use urethane to paint my whole house. Because of its hardness, urethane paint may not expand and contract with building materials as well as acrylic latex paints. But for small projects such as railings, light posts and mailboxes, urethane paint may be more durable than other exterior paints. That said, there are a few caveats: (1) No paint performs well without good prep work. (2) You can buy inexpensive urethane paints. You get what you pay for. (3) Don’t skimp on application tools. For the highest quality finish, I recommend a synthetic soft-woven roller cover such as Purdy’s White Dove series, and a nylon/polyester brush.