When it comes time to paint the interior or exterior of your home, choosing the right paint can make all the difference. Two of the most popular options from Behr Paint are the Dynasty and Premium Plus lines. But with higher quality usually comes a higher price tag.
So should you splurge on the top-of-the-line Dynasty, or will the Premium Plus get the job done just as well?
This comprehensive guide will compare Behr Dynasty and Premium Plus paint in terms of features, uses, application and more, so you can decide which is best for your next paint project.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Paint Type | Dynasty | Premium Plus |
| Ingredients | Ceramic microspheres for durability and longevity. Anti-microbial properties. | Premium acrylic latex resins. Anti-microbial additives. |
| Sheen Options | Matte only | Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, high-gloss |
| Durability | Maximum durability and abrasion resistance. | Excellent durability though not as long-lasting as Dynasty. |
| Cost | $70-90 per gallon | $45-60 per gallon |
| Best Uses | High-traffic areas, bathrooms, homes with kids/pets, dark colors. | Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, kids’ rooms. |
| Ease of Application | Excellent flow and leveling. Minimal spattering. | Also applies easily with great flow and leveling. |
| Coverage | Complete hide in 1-2 coats. | Good hide in 1-2 coats, may need primer for dark colors. |
| Dry Time | Dries in 1 hour, recoat in 2 hours. | Similar 1 hour dry and 2 hour recoat time. |
Overview of Behr Paint Lines
Before diving into the differences between Dynasty and Premium Plus, it helps to understand the full range of paint lines that Behr offers. Here is a quick overview from lowest to highest quality:
- Essentials: Behr’s budget-friendly line of interior paints and primers. Offers basic coverage and durability.
- Marquee: Behr’s most popular line of paint and primer in one. Provides good hide and durability at a moderate price point.
- Premium Plus: Behr’s upper mid-range line with primer and stain-blocking properties. Delivers excellent hide and durability.
- Premium Plus Ultra: Has the same qualities as regular Premium Plus but with extra stain and scrub resistance. Ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Dynasty: Behr’s high-end interior paint line made with ceramic microspheres for maximum durability and longevity.
So as you move up through Behr’s paint lines, you can expect better coverage, durability and longevity. Premium Plus sits toward the higher end of their offerings, while Dynasty represents their ultimate top-of-the-line interior paint.
Key Differences Between Behr Dynasty and Premium Plus
Now let’s compare some of the main differences between Dynasty and Premium Plus paint:
Ingredients
- Dynasty: Contains ceramic microspheres which provide a durable, scratch-resistant finish that lasts longer than typical paints. Also has anti-microbial properties to inhibit mildew and mold.
- Premium Plus: Does not contain ceramic microspheres. Formulated with typical premium latex acrylic resins. Includes anti-microbial agents to resist mildew and mold.
Sheen
- Dynasty: Available in a matte finish only. The ceramic microspheres allow the matte sheen to be more durable and scrubbable than a typical flat or eggshell finish.
- Premium Plus: Offered in several sheen options – flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss. The sheen you choose depends on the room and your aesthetic preferences.
Quality/Durability
- Dynasty: Highest level of paint quality and durability from Behr. The ceramic microsphere technology results in a finish that lasts significantly longer than average premium paints. Has excellent resistance to stains, scuffs and abrasion.
- Premium Plus: Delivers outstanding durability and longevity compared to standard paints. Finish resists stains, scuffs and marring very effectively. Not quite as durable or long-lasting as Dynasty paint.
Cost
- Dynasty: Roughly $70-90 per gallon depending on retailer. It is pricier than most Behr lines because of the proprietary ceramic microsphere ingredients.
- Premium Plus: Around $45-60 per gallon, which is moderately priced for a premium Behr paint. Excellent value for the quality.
So in summary, Dynasty stands out due to its ceramic microsphere technology which enables unmatched durability and longevity. Premium Plus is also very durable but lacks those specialized ingredients found in Dynasty.
When To Use Behr Dynasty Paint?
With its extremely durable finish and anti-microbial properties, Behr Dynasty excels in certain applications:
- High-Traffic Areas
Hallways, family rooms, kitchens, kids’ rooms – the ceramic microspheres in Dynasty create a finish that can withstand constant abrasion and cleaning without showing signs of wear. Even matte Dynasty paint resists stains and scuffs more than a typical eggshell or satin.
- Bathrooms
The anti-microbial properties of Dynasty paint help inhibit mold and mildew growth, making it ideal for moisture-prone bathrooms. The scrubbable finish allows it to be easily cleaned without damaging the paint.
- Homes with Kids or Pets
Dynasty is the best choice for walls that will get touched frequently and require frequent cleaning to remove stains or dirt. Its durable matte finish also hides scuffs better than shinier paints.
- Exterior Applications
While technically an interior paint, Dynasty’s unmatched durability makes it suitable for some exterior applications like porch ceilings, doors, trim and more. The ceramic microspheres allow it to better withstand sun, rain and other outdoor exposure.
- Walls Painted Dark Colors
Dark paint colors like deep reds, browns and blues are prone to showing scuffs and stains. Dynasty’s durable matte finish hides abrasions better compared to standard paint. Its longevity also keeps the rich color looking freshly painted even after years of wear.
So if you have a space that will see a lot of use and cleaning, Dynasty is worth the investment to ensure your paintwork stays looking pristine.
When To Use Behr Premium Plus Paint?
While Dynasty may seem like the clear choice, Premium Plus still delivers outstanding quality and durability that’s suitable for most situations:
- Living Rooms, Dining Rooms and Bedrooms
For lower-traffic areas like these, Premium Plus provides excellent longevity and stain resistance. Unlike Dynasty, Premium Plus also offers a choice of sheens like eggshell or satin to provide a touchable finish with light reflecting properties.
- Bathrooms and Kitchens
Premium Plus Ultra has enhanced moisture and stain blocking abilities, making it a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens at a lower cost than Dynasty. It wipes clean easily and inhibits mildew and mold growth.
- Kids’ Rooms, Hallways and Stairwells
The durability and scrubbability of Premium Plus works well for high traffic areas that will see some wear and tear. While it may not last quite as long as Dynasty, it provides good resistance to scuffs and stains.
- Exterior Painting
Premium Plus exterior paint provides outstanding protection and longevity for exterior surfaces like siding, trim, decks and fences. It holds up well to sun, rain, wind and other outdoor conditions.
- Budget-Friendly Option
For those looking to save money but still want excellent quality paint from Behr, Premium Plus delivers on performance at a more moderate price point. The wide range of colors and sheen options provide versatility too.
Premium Plus is the workhorse line from Behr that offers tremendous value. It will exceed the expectations of most homeowners looking for durable, quality paint.
Application and Coverage
Let’s compare some notes on working with these two Behr paint lines:
Ease of Application
- Dynasty: Applies smoothly and easily with minimal spattering or splashing, even without adding paint extender. The ceramic microspheres give it excellent flow and leveling.
- Premium Plus: Also applies very easily with great flow and leveling. Typically won’t require any paint extenders. Both paints have outstanding brushability, sprayability and rollability.
Coverage and Hiding Power
- Dynasty: With its high concentration of titanium dioxide and ceramic microspheres, Dynasty offers complete hide in just one or two coats, even over darker colors. No need for a tinted primer.
- Premium Plus: Also provides complete hide in one or two coats over light or medium colors. May require tinted primer over darker paints. Slightly less hiding power than Dynasty overall.
Dry Time
- Dynasty: Dries to the touch in 1 hour and can be recoated in 2 hours when painting in normal conditions. Full cure takes 2-4 weeks.
- Premium Plus: Very similar dry time – dries to the touch in 1 hour and recoats within 2 hours, with full cure in 2-4 weeks.
So both paints offer outstanding ease of application, hide and dry time. Dynasty has a slight edge on hide and coverage due to the ceramic microspheres.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Behr offers a good, better, best range of paints. Their product lines from lowest to highest quality are Essentials, Marquee, Premium Plus, Premium Plus Ultra and Dynasty.
For high-traffic areas and surfaces that demand maximum durability, Dynasty is worth the added cost. Its ceramic microsphere technology provides unmatched longevity and abrasion resistance compared to standard premium paints.
Dynasty excels for interior spaces that will see a lot of wear and tear such as hallways, family rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, kids’ rooms and anywhere that will need frequent cleaning. It also provides enhanced mold and mildew resistance.
Thanks to its excellent hide and coverage, Dynasty only needs one or two coats in most cases. For significant color changes, a primer may be needed first. The ceramic microspheres give it incredible hide that covers existing paints easily.
The Bottom Line
Behr Dynasty and Premium Plus are both excellent quality paints that will transform and protect interior surfaces beautifully. Here are some final takeaways to help choose between the two:
- For superior durability in high-traffic, high-moisture areas, Dynasty is worth the investment – its ceramic microsphere technology is unmatched.
- Premium Plus provides outstanding longevity and stain/abrasion resistance at a more budget-friendly price point.
- Dynasty only comes in a durable matte finish, while Premium Plus offers a choice of sheen options like eggshell and satin.
- Both paints offer excellent coverage and easy application with minimal spattering or splashing.
- Dynasty provides marginally better hide and coverage compared to Premium Plus.
No matter which you choose, you really can’t go wrong with Behr’s Dynasty and Premium Plus paints. Just consider the levels of durability you need and the overall cost difference, and pick the one that best fits your painting project.
Whichever route you choose, your walls will look beautiful and stay protected for a very long time.