What factors are most significant in determining paint quality? We are about to paint a Victorian home and are looking for the highest quality exterior paint. Longevity without shrinking, cracking or loss of luster are our primary concerns.

The main factors are the type and amount of resin (the binder that holds the paint together), type and amount of pigment, volume solids and film thickness. A high quality paint like Sherwin-Williams Duration, has enough volume solids for applying one coat at 2.8 mils dry film thickness. This is the longest lasting coating that Sherwin-Williams has to paint the exterior of a home.