A fair comparison
Which paint,
for which room.
Popular ranges grouped by the job they suit, with what each maker states and where we would use it.
We are not paid by any paint maker. These are product summaries and practical selection notes, not a laboratory ranking. The source note below identifies which claims were checked. Confirm current availability, formulation and technical sheets before buying.
Walls that need wiping
Kitchens, hallways, stairwells and family rooms.
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| Range | What the maker states | Where we would use it |
|---|---|---|
| Dulux TradeDiamond MattInterior walls | The UK product page states Class 1 ISO 11998 and Type C BS 7719 scrub ratings. | A dependable choice for hard wearing walls. The finish is a little less flat than a chalky matt. |
| Little GreeneIntelligent Matt EmulsionInterior walls | Described by the maker as highly durable and scrubbable. | Good where you want a deep heritage colour on a wall that gets touched. |
| Farrow & BallModern EmulsionInterior walls | Described by the maker as washable and wipeable, for kitchens and bathrooms. | The Farrow & Ball option for busy rooms when Estate Emulsion would mark too easily. |
| Crown TradeClean Extreme Scrubbable MattInterior walls | Marketed for high traffic areas with stain resistance. | Practical for rentals and communal areas where walls get knocked. |
| TikkurilaOptiva 5Interior walls | Stated as Class 1 for wet scrub resistance. | A durable matt with a good range of tinted colours. |
Walls for depth of colour
Living rooms, bedrooms and period spaces.
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| Range | What the maker states | Where we would use it |
|---|---|---|
| Farrow & BallEstate EmulsionInterior walls | A very flat, chalky finish the maker suggests for less busy rooms. | Beautiful colour depth, but scuffs and burnishes easily. Not one for a hallway with bikes in it. |
| Little GreeneAbsolute Matt EmulsionInterior walls | A very low sheen finish with high pigment content. | Rich colour and a soft finish. Treat it like a flat matt for cleaning. |
| Dulux TradeSupermattNew plaster and ceilings | A breathable matt suited to new plaster. | An option for ceilings and appropriate new plaster work. Follow its specific dilution and drying instructions rather than a generic mist coat ratio. |
Woodwork
Doors, skirtings, frames and stairs.
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| Range | What the maker states | Where we would use it |
|---|---|---|
| Dulux TradeDiamond SatinwoodInterior wood and metal | A water based satin finish described as durable and non yellowing. | Dries fast and stays white. Needs a quick, confident hand to avoid drag marks. |
| Little GreeneIntelligent EggshellInterior wood and metal | Described as a tough, washable water based finish. | Our go to when woodwork needs to match a Little Greene wall colour. |
| Farrow & BallEstate EggshellInterior wood and metal | A water based eggshell for wood and metal. | Good finish when the surface is well prepared. Use the matching primer and undercoat. |
Outside walls
Render, roughcast and masonry in coastal Fife weather.
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| Range | What the maker states | Where we would use it |
|---|---|---|
| Dulux TradeWeathershield Smooth MasonryRender and masonry | Described as weather resistant with long lasting protection. | Reliable on sound cement render. Not our choice for traditional lime harling. |
| Sandtex TradeUltra Smooth MasonryRender and masonry | Marketed for long life on exterior masonry. | A solid trade masonry paint for modern rendered homes. |
| KeimMineral silicate paintsMineral surfaces | Silicate paints that bond with mineral surfaces and stay vapour open. | Worth the cost on stone and suitable mineral render. Check with the maker which product suits lime. |
Judge any paint yourself
Read the
data sheet.
Every maker publishes one. These five figures tell you more than any advert.
- Wet scrub class
- Rated Class 1 to 5 under BS EN 13300. Class 1 is the most scrubbable. This tells you far more than the word washable on the front.
- Opacity or contrast ratio
- How well a coat hides what is underneath. A higher figure usually means fewer coats over a colour change.
- Spreading rate
- Square metres per litre. Use the lower figure for rough or porous surfaces.
- Recoat time
- Often given at 20 degrees. In a cold Fife house in winter, expect it to take longer.
- VOC content
- How much solvent goes into the air as it dries. Lower is better for bedrooms and nurseries.
Brands
Questions
we get asked.
- Which paint brand is the best?
- There is no single best. Each maker has ranges that suit different rooms. A tough scrubbable matt suits a hallway, a chalky flat matt suits a bedroom, whoever makes it.
- Is trade paint better than retail paint?
- Trade ranges are often made for faster, more consistent application, and some have better durability ratings. Retail ranges can have more colours. Compare the data sheets, not the label.
- Are you paid to recommend any of these?
- No. We have no paid relationship with any paint maker on this page.
Want a straight answer?
Ask us what
we would use.
Tell us the room and how it is used, and we will tell you the range we would choose and why.
Practical painting advice for Fife homes.