Valspar Defense Vs. Duramax: Which Exterior Paint Is Best?

When it comes to protecting and beautifying your home’s exterior, choosing the right paint is crucial. Two popular options for homeowners are Valspar Defense and Duramax exterior paints.

But how do you decide which one is the better choice for your next painting project?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Valspar Defense and Duramax side-by-side, analyzing the pros and cons of each. Key factors we’ll examine include durability, appearance, application, and cost.

By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to select the ideal exterior paint for your needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

Paint	Valspar Defense	Duramax
Binder	Acrylic Latex	100% Acrylic
Sheens Available	Flat, Satin, Semi-Gloss	Low-Lustre
Durability	Very Good	Excellent
Fade Resistance	Excellent	Excellent
Hiding Power	Very Good	Excellent
Ease of Application	Excellent	Very Good
Coverage	Very Good	Excellent
Dry Time	2 hours	2 hours
Low Temp Application	35°F	40°F
Warranty	Lifetime Limited	25 Years Limited
Price Per Gallon	$50-70	$40-60
Availability	Lowe’s	Hardware Stores

Overview of Valspar Defense Exterior Paint

Valspar Defense exterior paint is marketed as a super-premium product that provides maximum protection for your home’s exterior surfaces. Here are some of its notable features and benefits:

• Acrylic Latex Formula: Valspar Defense has an acrylic latex binder. This makes it more flexible and better able to expand and contract through temperature changes without cracking or peeling.
• Stain and Fade Resistance: The paint contains special additives to protect against fading from UV rays and staining from mold, mildew growth. It has excellent color retention.
• Tough, Durable Finish: Valspar Defense dries to a hard, durable finish that can better withstand weathering, foot traffic, and general wear and tear.
• Low-Temperature Application: This paint can be applied in temperatures as low as 35°F, extending the painting season.
• Lifetime Limited Warranty: Valspar offers a lifetime limited warranty on Defense exterior paint as long as you properly prepare the surface and apply 2 coats.

Valspar Defense is available in flat, satin, semi-gloss sheens, providing options for various exterior surfaces. It’s sold exclusively at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores.

Overview of Duramax Exterior Paint

Duramax exterior paint by PPG is another premium-grade option designed to protect and beautify homes. Here are some standout features:

• 100% Acrylic Formula: Duramax has a 100% acrylic latex binder for elasticity, adhesion, and strength.
• Resists Blistering and Peeling: Advanced technology allows the paint film to expand and contract with the siding, resisting damage.
• Mold and Mildew Resistant: Special biocide additives prevent mold and mildew growth on the paint surface.
• Excellent Hiding Power: Thicker, high-hide pigments provide excellent coverage to conceal surface imperfections.
• Reflective Color Palette: Heat-reflecting colors help lower surface temperature.
• 25-Year Warranty: Duramax offers a 25-year limited warranty on vertical surfaces as long as proper application procedures are followed.

Duramax exterior paint has a low-luster finish and is available in a wide selection of colors. You can purchase it at Menards, True Value, and independent retailers.

Key Differences Between Valspar Defense And Duramax Exterior Paint

Now that we’ve covered the basic product profiles, let’s do a detailed comparison of the key factors you should consider when choosing an exterior house paint.

• Durability

Long-lasting performance and protection are likely your top priorities for exterior house paint. When evaluating Valspar Defense vs. Duramax, durability is a main difference.

Valspar Defense uses an acrylic latex resin that’s designed to be very flexible, stretchable, strong, and weather-resistant. The acrylic provides a more durable coating than ordinary vinyl acrylic paints.

Independent lab testing shows excellent resistance to cracking, peeling, and fading.

Duramax also relies on 100% acrylic formula but uses proprietary technology to make it even tougher. The paint film is engineered to expand and contract seamlessly as temperatures change.

This helps prevent the paint from blistering and peeling, which is a common failure mode for inferior quality exterior paints. Overall, Duramax is considered among the most durable acrylic latex exterior paints available today.

For maximum long-term performance and protection, Duramax has a slight edge over Valspar Defense in durability. The advanced flexibility and adhesion of Duramax give it exceptional staying power.

Both provide plenty of durability for most homes compared to ordinary paints. But for a house in an extreme climate or with problem surfaces, Duramax is the best bet.

• Appearance

Of course, you also want your exterior paint to provide beautiful curb appeal and enhance your home’s style. Let’s explore how Valspar Defense and Duramax compare aesthetically:

Color Selection

Valspar Defense offers a wide range of colors, including both traditional palettes and trendy, designer shades. Special ranges like the Quantum Color Collection allow deep, saturated hues.

Duramax also provides extensive color options from light pastels to bold dark tones. There are even solar-reflective colors formulated to lower surface temperature. Both offer plenty of selection to complement any architectural style.

Gloss Level

Valspar Defense is sold in flat, satin, and semi-gloss sheens. Duramax only comes in a low-lustre, matte finish. So Valspar offers more versatility if you need a higher gloss level for trim or accents.

But Duramax’s low-sheen is attractive for siding, evoking a uniform painted surface.

Hiding Power

Duramax uses thicker pigments engineered for outstanding hide to cover existing colors and minor surface flaws. Valspar Defense also provides good hiding power butDuramax has a slight edge.

Less coats are required for full coverage and a flawless appearance with Duramax.

Appearance Over Time

Both Valspar Defense and Duramax maintain their color integrity very well over time due to fade-resistant formulations.

Duramax’s extra surface flexibility helps it better endure expansion, contraction, and the rigors of weathering while maintaining its smooth, pristine painted finish.

Valspar Defense also retains its appearance nicely thanks to the acrylic latex resin.

Overall Aesthetic Performance

Valspar Defense and Duramax are both attractive options that will enhance your home’s appearance with a vast selection of colors. Duramax’s superior hide and lasting painted finish give it a slight leg up. But Valspar also provides beautiful results.

• Application

The application process is another vital consideration when choosing an exterior paint. You want something that goes on easily and efficiently. Here’s how Valspar Defense and Duramax compare:

Ease of Application

Valspar Defense earns rave reviews for easy brushing, rolling, and spraying. It flows and spreads readily on surfaces for smooth results free of brush marks and laps.

Duramax is also an easy-working paint, but some users report it can be a little thick and cumbersome. Overall, Valspar Defense seems to have the edge in effortless application.

Coverage

Thanks to its high-hide pigments, Duramax provides slightly better coverage and requires fewer coats to achieve full, uniform color. So it’s a little more efficient in terms of the time and amount of paint needed to coat a surface. Valspar Defense also offers good coverage to get the job done quickly.

Dry Time

Both Duramax and Valspar Defense dry within a couple hours between coats. They require similar dry times before you can add the next coat or finish the job. Valspar Defense has a slight advantage in low temperature application down to 35°F.

Clean-up

As typical water-based acrylic latex paints, Valspar Defense and Duramax both clean up with soap and water before the paint dries. There’s no noticeable difference in ease of clean-up.

Overall Application

Valspar Defense seems to get the nod for smoother, easier application and a bit more versatility. But Duramax offers outstanding hide and coverage, allowing you to get the job done quickly and efficiently in fewer coats. Both are quality paints that go on well for a homeowner or painting contractor.

• Cost Comparison

Let’s break down the cost difference between these two premium exterior paints:

Valspar Defense Pricing

A typical gallon of Valspar Defense costs approximately $50-70 depending on finish. Price varies by retailer.

Duramax Pricing

Duramax costs around $40-60 per gallon on average depending on color selection.

It’s often a bit less expensive than Valspar Defense.

Keep in mind that Duramax may require fewer gallons due to its exceptional hide and coverage.

This can close the gap in price between the two paints for an entire home exterior.

While Valspar Defense commands a slight premium, both offer quality results and the cost per job will depend on factors like necessary prep work.

Which Exterior Paint To Pick?

Now that we’ve reviewed all the key factors – durability, aesthetics, application, and cost – which exterior paint is the winner between Valspar Defense and Duramax?

For extreme durability against cracking, peeling, blistering, and fading, Duramax comes out on top. The advanced 100% acrylic formula with proprietary technologies makes it one of the toughest paints you can buy.

Duramax is a fantastic choice for a harsh climate, a home with existing paint problems, or siding vulnerabilities.

However, Valspar Defense essentially matches Duramax in overall performance while offering wider availability, a smoother application, and more sheen options. So for most homes and situations, Valspar Defense is potentially the better all-around choice.

You really can’t go wrong with either brand.

Here are some quick recommendations based on your exterior painting needs:

• For maximum longevity in harsh climates, choose Duramax.
• For lowest cost for painting a full house, consider Duramax.
• For the smoothest application results, go with Valspar Defense.
• For lots of color options including deep hues, pick Valspar Defense.
• For the easiest availability at local home centers, select Valspar Defense.

No matter which premium acrylic latex paint you select for your upcoming project, proper surface prep is key to achieving the best results. Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions to ensure the product warranty protections.

With Valspar Defense or Duramax protecting your home, you can look forward to years of outstanding appearance and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Bottom Line

Valspar Defense sits at the higher end of premium exterior paint pricing, but frequent 40% off sales at Lowe’s can make it very competitively priced with Duramax.

Ultimately, you’re getting outstanding performance either way you go. Duramax can provide more value if you need lots of paint for a large home.