Sherwin-Williams vs PPG: A Professional Painter's Honest Comparison

If you search "Sherwin-Williams vs Benjamin Moore" online, you will find hundreds of articles. But here in the Tri-Cities, almost nobody uses Benjamin Moore. There are no local Benjamin Moore stores. The real comparison that matters for East Tennessee homeowners is Sherwin-Williams vs PPG — the two professional-grade brands that painters in this area actually use every day.

This is not a recycled internet article. These are opinions formed from years of daily use on real homes in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, and the surrounding areas. Here is how the two brands stack up across every category that matters.

Best Wall Paint: PPG UltraLast (Clear Winner)

PPG UltraLast is, in our opinion, the best interior wall paint you can buy. Period. We do not think there is anything else on the market that comes close.

PPG brought automotive coating technology into their residential paint line, and it shows. UltraLast creates an incredibly durable, cleanable surface even in low sheens. With most wall paints, if you want a surface you can actually scrub clean, you need to go up to a satin or semi-gloss. With UltraLast, you can get a matte or eggshell finish that is genuinely washable — scrubbed with household cleaners without burnishing or leaving shiny spots. That is a game-changer for families with kids, pets, or high-traffic areas.

The catch? UltraLast is the most expensive wall paint PPG makes. It is their top-of-the-line product and priced accordingly. But the durability and cleanability justify the investment, especially in kitchens, hallways, kids' rooms, and any space that takes daily abuse.

Read more: Our full PPG UltraLast review

Runner-Up: Sherwin-Williams Cashmere

If we had to use a Sherwin-Williams wall paint, it would be Cashmere. It is the best bang for your buck in the SW lineup — smooth application, solid coverage, and a very pleasant finish. Sherwin-Williams Duration is also a good honorable mention and a reliable choice. But neither product matches UltraLast's washability at low sheens, which is what sets PPG apart in this category.

Best Trim Paint: Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane (No Contest)

This is where Sherwin-Williams has an unbeatable product. Emerald Urethane is the best all-around, user-friendly, smooth-laying, no-brush-line trim paint you can buy on the market. We have tried everything, and nothing else comes close.

What makes it special is the self-leveling. It is the most self-leveling paint we have ever used. When you brush it on, it flows out so smoothly that it looks like you sprayed it. The brush marks disappear. It does not drag on you, so you do not have to move fast to keep a wet edge. For homeowners doing DIY trim work, this is the product to buy — it is almost impossible to mess up.

Emerald Urethane is also an excellent cabinet paint. If a homeowner wants to brush cabinets rather than spray them, this is what we recommend. The self-leveling properties deliver a smooth, professional-looking result even with a brush.

For Spraying Trim: PPG Breakthrough

When we are spraying trim instead of brushing, we prefer PPG Breakthrough. It dries faster and seems to be slightly more durable than Emerald Urethane. The faster dry time means quicker recoat windows, which speeds up the job.

However, Breakthrough is absolutely not a brush-friendly product. It dries so fast that if you try to brush it on, you need to move incredibly quickly or you will get drag marks and visible brush lines. It is a spraying product through and through. Emerald Urethane is the brushing product. Knowing which to use when is part of what separates professional results from DIY headaches.

Best Exterior Paint: PPG Sun Proof (Best Value)

For exterior painting, PPG Sun Proof is our pick for the best bang for your buck. It is competitively priced, works great on wood and a variety of other surfaces, and it just performs reliably every time. No surprises, no callbacks — it goes on smooth, holds up to Tennessee weather, and delivers consistent results job after job. That reliability is worth a lot when you are painting the outside of someone's home.

Premium Exterior: Sherwin-Williams Duration

Duration Exterior is a great product as well — it looks fantastic, especially with higher sheens like satin or semi-gloss. If a customer wants that rich, glossy curb appeal, Duration delivers a beautiful finish. It is just priced higher than Sun Proof for a result that is comparable in terms of long-term durability. Both are excellent products; Sun Proof simply gives you more value per dollar.

Primers: Neither Brand (Zinsser Wins)

When it comes to primers, we do not reach for either Sherwin-Williams or PPG. Our two go-to primers are both Zinsser products:

• Zinsser Cover Stain: In our opinion, the best primer in the world for going over old oil-based finishes when you want to switch to latex. It dries quickly, bonds aggressively, and creates a rock-solid foundation. Our go-to system for old oil-based trim: spray Cover Stain, then spray a coat of PPG Breakthrough on top. You end up with a tough, reliable product that will last. Read more: Our guide to converting oil-based trim to latex
• Zinsser BIN (Shellac-Based): Our other primary primer, especially useful for stain blocking and surfaces that need aggressive adhesion. Shellac-based primers have a strong odor but deliver unmatched bonding performance.

Pricing: PPG Is More Competitive

This is an area where PPG consistently comes out ahead. Across comparable product tiers, PPG paints tend to be more competitively priced than their Sherwin-Williams equivalents. When you are buying paint by the five-gallon bucket for a full-house project, those price differences add up quickly.

With Sherwin-Williams, it can feel like you are getting gouged if you want their top-tier products. Emerald, Duration, and their other premium lines carry a significant price premium. We do not think the results are meaningfully better than PPG's offerings at those same levels — with the exception of Emerald Urethane for trim, which earns its price tag.

The Bottom Line

Both companies make good paint. You are not going to go wrong with either brand in the hands of a professional painter. But if we have to pick an overall winner based on years of daily use across hundreds of projects, PPG wins for us. They have an incredible product range, more competitive pricing, and once you learn their lineup, you can find the right product for virtually any situation.

What About Big Box Paint? (Behr, Glidden, Valspar)

Homeowners often ask whether they should save money with Behr from Home Depot, Glidden, or Valspar from Lowe's. These are not bad paints — they have gotten significantly better over the years. For a budget-friendly DIY project on a single room, they can work fine.

But for a professional-quality result that lasts, we stick with PPG and Sherwin-Williams. The coverage per coat, self-leveling, durability, and overall finish quality are on a different level. When you factor in that better paint means fewer coats (which means less labor), the price difference often pays for itself.

If you are hiring a professional painter, ask what products they use. A good painter paired with good paint delivers results that last years longer than a bargain product ever will.

Have questions about which paint is right for your project? Contact us for a free estimate and we will recommend the best products for your home and budget.