Behr Premium Plus paint is a solid, reliable choice for DIYers seeking good coverage and durability without breaking the bank, especially for general interior and exterior projects. It’s not always “essential,” but it’s a very strong contender for its balance of quality and value.
Painting a room can feel like a big undertaking, especially when you’re just starting out. You want your walls to look fresh and vibrant, but the sheer number of paint options can be overwhelming. One name you’ll see everywhere is Behr, and their Premium Plus line is particularly popular. You might be wondering, “Is Behr Premium Plus paint really worth it for my DIY project?” Many beginners feel lost when choosing paint, worrying about whether they’re picking the right type or if they’ll need a separate primer. It’s completely normal to feel this way! But don’t worry, we’ll break down exactly what Behr Premium Plus offers, helping you make an informed decision that will leave you with beautiful, long-lasting results.
Understanding Behr Premium Plus Paint
When you walk into a home improvement store, the paint aisle can seem like a maze. Behr Premium Plus is a widely recognized and readily available paint line, often found at The Home Depot. It’s designed with the average homeowner in mind, aiming to offer a good balance of performance, durability, and ease of use. This paint is frequently marketed as a paint and primer in one, which is a big selling point for DIYers looking to simplify their painting process. But what does that really mean, and does it live up to the promise?
What Does “Paint and Primer in One” Actually Mean?
The concept of “paint and primer in one” suggests that a single coat of this product can both cover the existing surface and provide a smooth, uniform base for the color. In reality, most paints labeled this way have a higher solids content and better hiding power than standard latex paints. This means they often cover existing colors and minor imperfections better. However, for drastic color changes, heavily stained surfaces, or glossy finishes, a separate, dedicated primer is often still recommended for the best results. Behr Premium Plus aims to reduce the need for a separate primer in many common scenarios, making your painting project quicker.
Key Features and Benefits of Behr Premium Plus
Behr Premium Plus is known for several key attributes that make it appealing to DIY homeowners:
- Good Coverage: Most users report that Behr Premium Plus offers decent coverage, often requiring fewer coats than lower-quality paints, especially for similar color changes.
- Durability: It’s formulated to be a scrubbable finish, meaning you can often wipe away marks and stains without damaging the paint film. This is a huge plus for high-traffic areas like hallways or kids’ rooms.
- Mold and Mildew Resistance: Many formulations of Premium Plus include properties that help resist the growth of mold and mildew, making it suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and other damp environments.
- Low VOCs: Like many modern paints, Behr Premium Plus typically has low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which contributes to better indoor air quality during and after painting. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has standards for VOC content in paints.
- Variety of Finishes: It’s available in several popular finishes, including eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and flat, allowing you to choose the best look and functionality for each space.
- Affordability: Compared to some high-end or specialty paints, Behr Premium Plus offers a good value for its performance, making it accessible for most budgets.
Water-Based Formulation
Behr Premium Plus is a water-based (latex) paint. This is a significant advantage for DIYers:
- Easy Cleanup: Spills and brush/roller cleanups are a breeze with just soap and water. No harsh solvents are needed, which is safer and more convenient.
- Low Odor: Water-based paints generally have a much milder odor than oil-based paints, making the painting experience more pleasant.
- Fast Drying: Water-based paints typically dry faster than oil-based paints, allowing you to apply a second coat sooner and get your room back to normal more quickly.
Is Behr Premium Plus Right for Your Project?
The question of whether Behr Premium Plus is “essential” really depends on the specifics of your DIY project. For many common painting tasks, it’s an excellent choice. However, it’s helpful to understand when it excels and when you might need to consider other options.
When Behr Premium Plus Excels:
- Interior Walls: For living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms where drastic color changes aren’t happening or surfaces are in good condition, Premium Plus is often more than sufficient. Its scrubbability is a great benefit for everyday living.
- Slight Color Changes: If you’re painting a light color over another light color, or a slightly darker shade over a lighter one, the “paint and primer in one” aspect usually performs well.
- Rental Properties/Flip Houses: Its affordability and good coverage make it a practical choice for making spaces look fresh and appealing quickly.
- Budget-Conscious Projects: When you need a good-looking finish without investing in premium brands, Premium Plus offers a reliable solution.
- Maintenance Painting: Refreshing a room that’s already painted with a similar color and is in decent condition.
When You Might Need More (or a Separate Primer):
While Behr Premium Plus is versatile, there are situations where its “paint and primer in one” might not be enough:
- Drastic Color Changes: Going from a very dark color (like a deep red or navy) to a very light color (like white or pale yellow) almost always benefits from a dedicated primer. This ensures even coverage and prevents the old color from showing through.
- Stained Surfaces: Water stains, grease spots, or heavy pencil marks won’t be hidden by most paint and primer combos. A stain-blocking primer is essential for these issues. You can learn more about choosing the right primer at EPA’s guidance on indoor air quality and painting.
- Glossy or Slick Surfaces: If you’re painting over a glossy finish, the paint might not adhere well without a primer specifically designed to create a surface the new paint can grip onto.
- Unpainted Drywall or Plaster: New, unpainted surfaces are porous and will absorb paint unevenly. A drywall primer (often called “p-riming/sealing” coat) is crucial here to ensure a uniform finish and prevent “flashing” (uneven sheen).
- Extreme Durability Needs: For areas that see extreme abuse, like garage floors or high-traffic commercial spaces, specialized coatings might be a better fit.
How to Use Behr Premium Plus Effectively
Even the best paint can underperform if not applied correctly. Here’s how to get the most out of Behr Premium Plus:
1. Preparation is Key
This is the most critical step, regardless of the paint you use. Even with a paint and primer in one:
- Clean the Walls: Wash the walls with a mild detergent and water solution to remove dust, grease, and grime. A clean surface ensures better paint adhesion.
- Repair Imperfections: Fill any holes or cracks with spackle or joint compound. Sand them smooth once dry.
- Sand if Necessary: If the existing paint is glossy, a light sanding will help the new paint adhere better. Wipe away all dust with a damp cloth after sanding.
- Tape and Protect: Use painter’s tape to protect trim, ceilings, and floors. Cover furniture and floors with drop cloths.
2. Applying the Paint
If you need a separate primer:
- Apply a coat of a quality primer recommended for your surface and color change. Allow it to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If you’re making a drastic color change and using Behr Premium Plus as your topcoat, a primer will significantly improve the final result and reduce the number of paint coats needed.
Applying Behr Premium Plus (as your primary or second coat):
- Stir Thoroughly: Always stir the paint well before and occasionally during use. Never shake a can of paint; this can cause it to break down and not mix properly.
- Cut In: Use an angled brush to paint along the edges of the walls, around trim, windows, and doors. This is called “cutting in.”
- Roll the Walls: Pour paint into a paint tray. Load your roller by rolling it back and forth in the tray, ensuring it’s evenly coated but not overloaded.
- Apply in Sections: Start rolling on a large section of the wall. Overlap your strokes slightly to avoid visible lines. Work in a “W” or “M” pattern, then fill in the section with vertical strokes to ensure even coverage.
- Maintain a Wet Edge: Always overlap your freshly rolled section with the previous one. This “wet edge” technique helps prevent lap marks.
- Two Coats are Often Best: Even with a paint and primer in one, two thin coats will generally provide a richer, more uniform, and durable finish than one thick coat. Allow the first coat to dry thoroughly (check the can for drying times, usually a few hours) before applying the second.
3. Cleaning Up
As a water-based paint, cleanup is simple:
- Remove as much paint as possible from brushes and rollers before washing.
- Wash tools thoroughly with soap and warm water.
- Rinse until the water runs clear.
- Reshape brushes and let tools air dry.
Behr Premium Plus vs. Other Behr Lines
Behr offers a range of paints, and understanding where Premium Plus fits can be helpful. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Behr Paint Line | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Behr Premium Plus | Good coverage, durability, scrubbable, mold/mildew resistance, affordable. Often marketed as paint + primer. | General interior/exterior, rental properties, budget-friendly updates. |
| Behr Ultra | Enhanced durability, superior stain resistance, often includes stain-blocking primer, higher sheen options. | High-traffic areas, kitchens, bathrooms, surfaces prone to stains. |
| Behr Marquee | Exclusive to Home Depot, promises “one-coat coverage” in many colors, superior stain and scrub resistance, wider color selection. | Transforming rooms with bold colors, situations where one-coat coverage is critical, high-end finishes. |
Behr Premium Plus sits comfortably in the middle to lower-middle tier of Behr’s offerings. It’s a step up from their most basic “Designer Essentials” line but not as feature-rich or expensive as Ultra or Marquee. If budget is a major concern and your project involves a relatively straightforward paint job, Premium Plus is a fantastic option. If you’re tackling a challenging surface or need maximum stain resistance, you might consider upgrading to Behr Ultra.
FAQs About Behr Premium Plus
1. Is Behr Premium Plus a true paint and primer in one?
It’s often referred to as such and has good hiding capabilities. For most typical repaints where you aren’t going from a dark to a very light color, it can function well as a one-coat process. However, for drastic color changes or problematic surfaces, a dedicated primer is still recommended for optimal results.
2. What is the best finish for Behr Premium Plus interior paint?
The best finish depends on the room. Eggshell and satin finishes are popular for walls as they offer a slight sheen, are more durable and easier to clean than flat, but don’t highlight imperfections as much as semi-gloss. Semi-gloss is typically best for trim, doors, and high-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
3. How many coats of Behr Premium Plus do I need?
For most standard projects, two coats are recommended for the best color depth, coverage, and durability. If you’re painting over a similar color or a properly primed surface, one coat might suffice, but two is generally better.
4. Is Behr Premium Plus good for exterior use?
Yes, Behr Premium Plus exterior paint is formulated for durability and weather resistance. It’s a solid choice for many exterior surfaces like siding, trim, and doors.
5. Can I use Behr Premium Plus on furniture?
While you can use it on furniture, especially for a budget-friendly update, Behr does have specific furniture paints that offer higher durability and smoother finishes for frequently used items. For pieces that will see a lot of wear, you might consider Behr’s all-in-one wood stains or cabinet & trim paints for better results.
6. What’s the difference between Behr Premium Plus and Behr Pro?
Behr Pro is often marketed towards professional painters and may have slightly different formulations focusing on coverage, hide, and application efficiency in commercial settings. For most DIY homeowners, Behr Premium Plus offers a very comparable and often more accessible performance for residential projects.
Conclusion: Making Your Paint Choice
So, is Behr Premium Plus paint “essential”? No, not in the sense that you absolutely cannot paint a wall without it. However, it is an exceptionally reliable and highly recommended option for a vast majority of DIY painting projects. Its “paint and primer in one” capabilities simplify the process, and its balanced performance in terms of coverage, durability, and ease of cleanup makes it a go-to for homeowners who want professional-looking results without the professional price tag or complexity.
By focusing on proper surface preparation and applying Behr Premium Plus with care, you can achieve beautiful, lasting finishes that will refresh and enhance your home. Remember to always read the specific product instructions on the can, as formulations can vary slightly. With Behr Premium Plus, you’re choosing a quality paint that empowers you to tackle your next painting project with confidence and achieve great results!