Choosing a good brand is important if you're planning to revamp your space with a new coat of paint. You wouldn't want to get a cheap tub of paint color only to discover that it's prone to peeling or incompatible with your local climate. So, given the options Sherwin Williams and Farrow And Ball, which is a better choice? We have gathered the facts and laid them out.
Knowing which to choose depends on your priority and preferences. Here's why you should choose Farrow & Ball:
- They are a specialty brand from the UK, so they tend to be more expensive.
- Their colors are limited but slightly more vibrant than Sherwin-Williams.
- Good choice if you have a sharp eye for quality.
However, if you're looking to maximize value for money, Sherwin-Williams is the better choice because of the following:
- Affordable price points
- High-quality
- A broader range of colors
Both have proven their durability and longevity, so you won't compromise on quality if you choose one over the other.
Choosing the right paint brand depends on your preference and priority. It is highly subjective, but you can take a practical approach by looking at the formulation, consistency, color vibrancy, and price points. Keep reading below to learn more about the differences between Sherwin-Williams and Farrow & Ball.
Major Differences Between Sherwin-Williams & Farrow And Ball
Although both paint brands have earned their stellar reputations, they have differences that can either be beneficial to your home or be an unnecessary cost.
Knowing how they differ from each other will help you weigh your options and decide which factors should be a priority and which ones could take a backseat.
Ultimately, the question of the better paint brand is subjective and depends on the consumer. These major differences may seem almost minute, but details are often the most important part of home improvement projects.
Here are the factors where Sherwin-Williams and Farrow & Ball differ the most.
Color Vibrancy
Farrow & Ball has a more vibrant color than Sherwin-Williams, which most designers and homeowners rave about. Their paint line also complements all modern and traditional architecture, solidifying their status as a high-end option.
Their paint is formulated so that it is not easily matched. Although possible, it would be challenging to replicate their pigmentation, which is 30% higher than other brands.
On the other hand, Sherwin Williams has already cemented their reputation as an excellent paint choice for home improvement projects.
Their paint is sufficiently vibrant and can easily elevate your space, complementing all types of architecture as long as you know how to match colors.
Paint Line
Sherwin Williams has a broader range of paint lines than the exclusive Farrow & Ball. Sherwin Williams's paint lines vary from multiple sheens and finishes, all of which cater to different needs and priorities.
On top of that, their paint lines are also more functional since they all have anti-bacterial properties, making your surfaces more durable.
Farrow & Ball, however, do not market their paint through paint lines. Instead, they are categorized by the finish. They also have different collections that cater to different aesthetics.
Color Options
Sherwin-Williams offers a broader range of Color Options than Farrow & Ball.
They offer over 1,700 colors that suit exteriors and interiors, making them a go-to paint brand for most designers and homeowners. Meanwhile, Farrow & Ball has carefully curated the right shades for their paint line, which is why they only offer 132 colors.
In an interview, Farrow & Ball's head of creative revealed that each color has a story and depth that had made it earn its way into the brand's color palette.
However, Sherwin-Williams paint colors also have a distinct character that can make them complement someone's personal style.
Read: What Sherwin-Williams Paint Is Best For Interior Walls?
Price point
One of the most notable differences between Sherwin-Williams and Farrow & Ball is their price points.
Farrow & Ball is much more expensive than Sherwin-Williams since the former is a specialty brand while the latter is a mid-range paint brand.
Farrow & Ball costs around $120 to $150 per can. The high price can be chalked up to its status as an exclusive, high-quality paint line.
They don't use synthetic fillers; their paints have chalk, china clay, and Titanium dioxide. These fillers add depth to their colors and make them look more vibrant.
On the other hand, Sherwin-Williams has multiple paint lines catering to different budgetary levels. Their cheapest is around $50, while their standard paint line retails for $70 to $110 per gallon.
Farrow & Ball vs. Sherwin-Williams: Which One Is Vegan?
Most Sherwin-William paints are not vegan. However, they do have certain paints that are vegan. You can look for a sticker that says "Vegan" or "Cruelty-free" if you want to use vegan SW paints.
Farrow & Ball, on the other hand, positions itself to be a sustainable, cruelty-free, and vegan brand.
This means that they have not tested on animals or used animal by-products. Animal extracts are typically used as the paint's binders, but vegan brands swapped these for vegetable casein and legumin.
Which One Is More Durable?
Both SW and F&B make your surfaces durable. Even the cheapest paints from SW hold up well against various weather patterns, and the more expensive ones tend to last for many years.
If you want to get the best value for money, Sherwin-Williams has proven its durability and you won't have to shell out a lot of money for it.
Which One Has Lower VOC?
Sherwin-Williams and Farrow & Ball are considered low-VOC, which is good because VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds are harmful to our health.
If you inhale too much VOC, you will feel light-headed and nauseous, so it's important to vacate the room when the paint is still drying.
Although modern paint can now make do with low VOC, it is still necessary to allow the paint to fully cure and stick to the surface. The key is to pick the paint with the lowest VOC as much as possible.
Sherwin-Williams paints have a VOC of <50 g/l, which qualifies them as low-VOC paint. However, Farrow and Ball have virtually zero VOC since some of their paints have < 5 g/l VOC. Their highest VOC is only 18 g/l which is still very low.
Where Is Each Paint Available?
You can purchase Sherwin-Williams paint from one of the 4,800 branches of Sherwin-Williams stores across the United States. They are relatively accessible, especially since they are available at Lowe's.
Farrow & Ball is much more exclusive. You won't be able to find them in major hardware stores since they limit their distribution to independent paint stores and studios. They deliver within the US and UK but not internationally.
Farrow & Ball's exclusivity is one of the reasons why a gallon of paint can be expensive.
Can You Match Sherwin Williams Colors with Farrow & Ball?
Unsurprisingly, most won't have access to Farrow & Ball. Fortunately, there are colors available in Sherwin Williams' over 1,700 options that can match whatever caught your eye from Farrow & Ball.
However, it's important to remember that the colors won't be able to match 100% since F&B has a unique formulation that achieves that specific shade. It won't be a big deal to the untrained eye since the difference would be almost unnoticeable.
If you color-match, you can still get the shade you want without splurging too much!
Read: Can Sherwin Williams Color Match Farrow And Ball?
Is Farrow & Ball Worth the Price?
Farrow & Ball is worth the price if you want to get the exact shade you've fallen in love with. However, even then, you can always try to color match. Getting F&B is only warranted if the shade is virtually impossible to replicate or if you're looking for an especially high-end product.
F&B will also be more costly because, on top of one gallon being expensive, you will need to apply three coats on the surface to get the shade right. You'll need to buy more tubs to cover an entire wall.
However, if you exclusively buy vegan products, especially for home projects, F&B may be for you. You won't be compromising the quality to get vegan paint, which can give you peace of mind while working on your home.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between two reputable paint brands can be challenging, especially if you want to balance the cost and quality. Although splurging on home projects is well warranted, you would want to ensure you'll be getting your money's worth.
As with all paint projects, choose a paint brand that will strengthen your home's surfaces and beautify your home effectively.