Trade and retail paint are not the same tin with a different label. Here's what actually separates them, and when the trade version is worth it.
People often assume trade paint is just the same product sold to professionals in bigger tins. It's not quite that simple. Trade ranges are formulated with a different priority in mind — getting a job done well, quickly and durably — and that shows up on the wall.
What trade paint is built for
- Coverage and opacity — trade paints are made to cover in fewer coats, which saves time and, over a whole job, money.
- Durability — many trade ranges are formulated to be more hard-wearing and washable, which matters in busy homes and commercial spaces.
- Consistency — the professionals who rely on these ranges every day need them to behave the same way tin after tin.
Where retail paint fits
Retail ranges are aimed at convenience and choice on a supermarket or DIY shelf, often with a huge spread of ready-mixed colours. For a small, occasional job they can be perfectly fine. The trade-off tends to be coverage — you may find yourself putting on an extra coat.
When trade is worth it
If you are covering a decent area, want the job to last, or simply value fewer coats and a dependable finish, a trade range usually earns its keep. And buying from a merchant means colour matching and mixing, advice on the right product, and someone to ask when a surface throws up a question.
We're a full stockist of trade ranges the professionals rely on, at merchant prices — whether you're doing one room or ten. Pop in and we'll point you to the right product for the job.
