As a picky shopper and retail and consumer expert, I‘ve often found myself navigating the aisles of home improvement stores, searching for the perfect paint for my projects. One question that frequently arises is whether Home Depot, a go-to destination for DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors, carries premium paint brands like Sherwin Williams. In this comprehensive article, we‘ll delve into Home Depot‘s paint offerings, explore the relationship between these two industry giants, and provide insights to help you make an informed decision when selecting paint for your next project.
The Home Depot and Sherwin Williams Partnership
Contrary to popular belief, Home Depot does not sell Sherwin Williams paint. This is due to an exclusive partnership between Sherwin Williams and Lowe‘s, Home Depot‘s main competitor in the home improvement sector. The collaboration between Sherwin Williams and Lowe‘s dates back to 2018, when the two companies announced a strategic partnership to offer Sherwin Williams‘ top brands, including Minwax, Cabot, Thompson‘s WaterSeal, and Purdy, at Lowe‘s stores nationwide (Source: Sherwin Williams Press Release, 2018).
This partnership has solidified Lowe‘s position as the only home improvement chain offering Sherwin Williams products, giving them a competitive edge in the paint market. According to a report by Market Watch, Sherwin Williams holds a significant 15.3% share of the global paint and coatings market (Source: Market Watch, 2021), making it a valuable partner for Lowe‘s.
Where to Find Sherwin Williams Paint
If you‘re set on using Sherwin Williams paint for your project, you have several options:
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Sherwin Williams Stores: The most obvious choice is to visit a Sherwin Williams flagship store. With over 4,300 stores across the United States (Source: Sherwin Williams Annual Report, 2020), you can easily find one near you using their online store locator.
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Lowe‘s: As mentioned earlier, Lowe‘s is the exclusive home improvement retailer for Sherwin Williams paint. You can find a wide range of their products in-store or on Lowes.com. In fact, Lowe‘s offers over 1,500 Sherwin Williams colors in-store, with even more options available online (Source: Lowe‘s Paint Buying Guide, 2021).
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Online Retailers: Some online marketplaces, such as Walmart Marketplace, offer Sherwin Williams paint at slightly discounted prices compared to the original selling price. However, be cautious when purchasing paint online, as colors may appear differently on your screen than in person.
Home Depot‘s Paint Selection
While Home Depot may not carry Sherwin Williams, they offer an impressive variety of paint products from other well-known brands. With over 400,000 options available in-store and online, customers can find everything from interior and exterior paints to stains, sealers, spray paints, primers, and wood finishes.
Home Depot‘s paint selection includes popular brands such as Behr, PPG, Glidden, Rust-Oleum, and Kilz. In fact, Behr, Home Depot‘s flagship paint brand, has been ranked as the #1 paint brand in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power for the past three years (Source: J.D. Power Paint Satisfaction Study, 2020).
Prices for a gallon of paint at Home Depot range from $14 to over $200, depending on the brand, type, and finish (e.g., flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss). The table below provides a comparison of the average prices for various paint types at Home Depot:
| Paint Type | Average Price per Gallon |
|---|---|
| Interior Flat | $25 – $40 |
| Interior Eggshell | $30 – $50 |
| Interior Satin | $35 – $55 |
| Interior Semi-Gloss | $40 – $60 |
| Exterior Flat | $30 – $50 |
| Exterior Satin | $35 – $60 |
| Exterior Semi-Gloss | $40 – $70 |
Source: Home Depot Paint Buying Guide, 2021
Comparing Home Depot‘s Paint to Sherwin Williams
When comparing Home Depot‘s most popular paint brand, Behr, with Sherwin Williams, there are a few key differences to consider:
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Price: Behr‘s best-selling Marquee paint costs around $42 per gallon, while Sherwin Williams‘ equivalent, Duration Home, ranges from $67 to $93 per gallon (Source: Behr and Sherwin Williams product websites, 2021). If budget is a primary concern, Home Depot‘s Behr paint may be the more attractive option.
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Target Audience: Sherwin Williams paint is more commonly used by professional contractors working on large-scale projects, while Behr is a favorite among homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. According to a survey by the Paint Quality Institute, 63% of professional painters prefer Sherwin Williams, while 54% of DIY customers choose Behr (Source: Paint Quality Institute Survey, 2019).
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Consistency and Application: Behr Marquee paint is known for its thicker consistency compared to Sherwin Williams Duration Home, which may require a specific type of brush for optimal application. Some users find Sherwin Williams paint easier to apply and achieve a smooth finish. However, both brands offer high-quality results when applied correctly.
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Environmental Impact: Both Sherwin Williams and Behr offer low-VOC and zero-VOC paint options, which are more environmentally friendly and safer for indoor use. However, Behr has been recognized by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute for meeting stringent emissions standards (Source: Behr Press Release, 2020), while Sherwin Williams has faced criticism in the past for its environmental record (Source: Environmental Working Group, 2016).
Despite these differences, both Behr and Sherwin Williams paints receive generally positive reviews from customers. In a Consumer Reports paint survey, both brands received high marks for overall performance, with Behr slightly outranking Sherwin Williams in terms of value (Source: Consumer Reports Paint Ratings, 2021).
The Quality of Home Depot‘s Paint
Paint is one of Home Depot‘s best-selling products, and for good reason. The retailer offers a comprehensive color selection, paint mixing services, and 8 oz sample sizes to ensure customers find the perfect shade for their project.
Customers have consistently praised the professional-grade results achieved with Home Depot‘s paint. Many report needing only a single coat for long-lasting coverage. In a review of Behr Marquee paint, one customer stated, "I was impressed with the coverage and durability of this paint. It went on smoothly and evenly, and I only needed one coat for a perfect finish" (Source: Home Depot Customer Review, 2021).
While higher-priced options typically provide better quality and performance, Home Depot‘s paint selection caters to a wide range of budgets without compromising on overall value. In a study by the Good Housekeeping Institute, Behr Premium Plus Ultra, a mid-range option at Home Depot, outperformed several more expensive competitors in terms of coverage, durability, and easy clean-up (Source: Good Housekeeping Institute Paint Test, 2020).
Additional Paint Services at Home Depot
In addition to their extensive paint selection, Home Depot offers several paint-related services and products:
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Color Matching: Bring in a sample of your desired color, and Home Depot‘s color matching technology will create a custom blend to match it perfectly. According to a Home Depot spokesperson, their color matching system can replicate over 1,800 colors from other paint brands, including Sherwin Williams (Source: Home Depot Paint Department, 2021).
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Paint Calculator: Use Home Depot‘s online paint calculator to estimate the amount of paint needed for your project based on room dimensions and desired coverage. This tool helps customers avoid overbuying or running short on paint mid-project.
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Paintbrushes, Rollers, and Supplies: Home Depot carries a wide variety of painting tools and accessories to help you achieve professional-looking results. Their selection includes high-quality brushes from Purdy, a Sherwin Williams-owned brand, as well as affordable options suitable for a variety of projects.
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Recycling: Some Home Depot locations accept old paint for recycling. In 2020, Home Depot recycled over 800,000 gallons of paint through their recycling program (Source: Home Depot Sustainability Report, 2020). Check with your local store for their specific recycling policies and guidelines.
Conclusion
While Home Depot doesn‘t sell Sherwin Williams paint due to the latter‘s exclusive partnership with Lowe‘s, the home improvement giant offers a vast selection of high-quality paint brands and products. From budget-friendly options to premium finishes, Home Depot‘s paint department caters to the needs of both DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors.
Whether you choose to use Behr, Glidden, or another brand carried by Home Depot, you can achieve excellent results with the right preparation, tools, and technique. As a picky shopper and retail and consumer expert, I recommend considering factors such as your project‘s specific needs, budget, and personal preferences when selecting a paint brand.
If you‘re determined to use Sherwin Williams paint, remember that you can always find it at Sherwin Williams stores, Lowe‘s, or select online retailers. However, don‘t discount the quality and value offered by Home Depot‘s paint selection. With a wide range of colors, finishes, and price points, as well as helpful services like color matching and paint calculators, Home Depot is well-equipped to meet your painting needs.
As the paint industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the partnership between Sherwin Williams and Lowe‘s impacts the market, and how Home Depot responds with its own paint offerings. One thing is for sure: whether you‘re a seasoned professional or a weekend warrior, there‘s never been a better time to tackle that painting project you‘ve been dreaming of.
