Glidden vs Behr Paint: Which Is Better?

Picture this: you’re ready to take on an exciting paint project. You head to the store to see what’s available, only to be faced with far more options than you expected. Sometimes, you might assume that the price is the only difference between paint brands. However, that isn’t the case. When it comes to Glidden vs. Behr paints, both have unique benefits and drawbacks, all of which you need to consider.

Overall, Glidden and Behr paint bring something to the table, but they aren’t the same. Glidden offers solid results at an attractive price but requires more coats than Behr. Behr’s ability to cover dark colors or stains is almost unmatched, but its thick texture is tricky for novices.

However, there are other points you’ll also want to consider when choosing between these options. If you’re trying to decide between Glidden vs. Behr paint, here’s what you need to know.

Glidden vs. Behr: Key Points

When selecting paint for an upcoming project, it’s normal to focus on color and finish first. While both of those features are critical, they should only be one part of the equation.

For Glidden vs. Behr paint, you need to explore some other key points to figure out which brand is genuinely best for your needs. Here is an overview of what you should keep in mind when deciding.

What Is Glidden Paint?

Founded in 1875, Glidden has been a leading paint brand for nearly 150 years. While the company joined PPG in 2013, it remained true to its mission and focuses on providing dependable paint for everyday projects at a reasonable price.

Glidden has an extensive selection of paint lines, including a range of highly specialized paints designed for niche needs. However, it also offers broad-use paints, making it easy to find the right option for nearly any project.

Generally speaking, Glidden paint is easy to use. While it’s thick, it isn’t so thick as to be particularly drip-prone. As a result, you can use a sprayer, roller, or brush and get a reasonable overall result.

However, Glidden paint usually requires at least two coats to get solid coverage and may need as many as four. The only bright side is that a single gallon usually goes reasonably far, which can keep the project’s total cost lower.

Whether Glidden paint is hard to clean can vary. Some paint lines offer solid durability and can handle light scrubbing. Others don’t stand up as well, so you’ll need to research the exact product if easy cleaning is a priority.

Pros

• Low cost
• High coverage with a single gallon
• Dries quickly, allowing you to apply additional coats faster
• Extensive collection of paint lines

Cons

• Requires 2 coats at a minimum
• Ease of cleaning can vary depending on the product line

Glidden Paint Types

As mentioned above, Glidden has an extensive selection of paint lines. As a result, many people can find options designed for specific needs, which can be ideal in some situations. There are even multiple general-use paints, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Here is an overview of the Glidden paint lines:

Interior Paint

• Glidden Diamond
• Glidden Essentials
• Glidden Fundamentals
• Glidden High Endurance Plus
• Glidden Interior/Exterior Latex Door & Trim
• Glidden Interior/Exterior Latex Fill & Finish
• Glidden One Coat
• Glidden Pink to White Ceiling
• Glidden Porch & Floor
• Glidden Premium Interior Latex
• Glidden Speedwall
• Glidden Spred
• Glidden Total
• Glidden Ultra
• Glidden Wonderpro

Exterior Paint

• Glidden Barn & Fence
• Glidden High Endurance Plus
• Glidden Interior/Exterior Latex Door & Trim
• Glidden Interior/Exterior Latex Fill & Finish
• Glidden One Coat
• Glidden Porch & Floor
• Glidden Premium
• Glidden Total
• Glidden Ultra
• Glidden Wonderpro

What Is Behr Paint?

The Behr paint brand was founded in 1947, and the company has since become one of the largest paint manufacturers in the world. Behr has an extensive product line, including a wide range of interior and exterior paints, primers, stains, surface preparers, and more.

The Premium Ultra line is what Behr is best known for, though many other options are also well-suited to a wide range of applications. With a broad color selection and solid coverage, Behr is an incredibly popular choice among professional painters.

However, Behr paint isn’t the easiest option to use for novices. Compared to other brands, Behr paint is very thick. While it’s reasonably simple to work with if you’re using a sprayer, it’s challenging if you plan on using brushes and rollers.

Additionally, Behr isn’t known for high durability. Sometimes, that makes it ill-suited for high-traffic areas or high-touch surfaces.

Pros

• Solid coverage in just 1 to 2 coats
• Thick texture lets it hide stains and discoloration
• Lower total cost if you want to cover dark paint with a lighter color

Cons

• Thick texture is harder to work with, potentially leading to drips
• Sprayer application might be a necessity, particularly for novices
• Lower durability and challenging to clean

Behr Paint Types

Behr has a solid selection of paint lines, making it easy to find a version that will work best for a specific project. Which option is right for you depends on your unique needs. Here is an overview of what’s available:

Interior Paint

• Behr Premium Plus
• Behr Ultra Scuff Defense
• Behr Marquee
• Behr Dynasty
• Behr Ceiling
• Behr Urethane Alkyd Enamel
• Behr Oil-Base Enamel
• Behr Multi-Surface
• Behr Cabinet and Trim Enamel

Exterior Paint

• Behr Premium Plus
• Behr Ultra
• Behr Marquee
• Behr Masonry, Stucco & Brick
• Behr Barn & Fence
• Behr Multi-Surface Roof
• Behr Urethane Alkyd Enamel
• Behr Oil-Base Enamel

What’s the Difference Between Glidden and Behr Paint?

When it comes to the differences between Glidden vs. Behr paint, the overviews above are a great starting point. However, it’s wise to dive deeply into how the two brands stand apart, as that may help you decide which option is best for you.

Here’s a closer look at Glidden vs. Behr paint.

Product Line Variety

Both Glidden and Behr have a wide array of product lines. However, Glidden does offer more specialty products than Behr. If you’re looking for paints explicitly designed for porches, barns, or other unique situations, Glidden may help you get the right product for your exact needs.

However, Glidden and Behr can work well if you need something closer to a standard interior or exterior paint. Each has some classic lines with features most homeowners want in those categories, so explore them if you’re focused on painting your walls.

Colors

Here’s an area where Behr stands out from Glidden significantly. Overall, Glidden has a bit more than 1200 color options, which is a reasonable selection. However, Behr has closer to 4000 colors, giving you far more variety.

If you have a specific hue in mind, getting a match is easier if you choose Behr. Some of the colors from Behr are just slight variations from other shades, giving you the ability to get the exact right one.

However, it’s important to note that Glidden and Behr have color-matching technology. As a result, you may be able to find a suitable hue with either brand. Just be aware that Behr may have an easier time getting a close match to less conventional paint color.

Texture and Consistency

When it comes to the paint texture and consistency, Behr is one of the thickest options on the market. In some cases, this is beneficial. Thicker paint can cover darker colors or stains with greater ease and may also reduce the total number of coats required.

However, Behr paint is thick to the point that it’s tricky to use. If you don’t apply it correctly, you may experience issues. For example, drips or unevenness may occur.

If you want an even final look, you may need to use a sprayer with Behr paint. However, Glidden usually doesn’t require a sprayer. While it’s thick, it isn’t so thick as to cause application issues in most cases, so you can potentially use a roller or brush with it if you prefer.

Durability

Many homeowners prioritize durability when choosing paint brands. When paint is tougher, it stands up to wear and tear better, allowing your results to last. Plus, it may be less prone to chipping and cracking.

Both Behr and Glidden have moderate durability when you look at the brands as a whole. Some Behr paints are prone to cracking, particularly when exposed to high temperatures. Additionally, some of the paint lines won’t stand up to scrubbing.

With Glidden, durability varies significantly across the paint lines. Some lower-cost options aren’t particularly scrubbable and may experience issues with chipping. However, some of the higher-end versions are reasonably tough.

Fade Resistance

For fade resistance, both Glidden and Behr come out similarly. If you choose exterior paints with built-in UV protection, they won’t typically fade any faster than average. However, neither brand is known for standing out in this category either, so keep that in mind.

Quality

When it comes to quality, Glidden usually falls a bit short of Behr when the brands are considered as a whole. Behr is regarded as a premium brand, while Glidden falls more in the moderate category when it comes to quality.

However, the exact paint line matters. Some of Glidden’s lowest-cost paints may fall short in the quality department. Similarly, Behr does produce some less expensive moderate-quality paints.

Generally speaking, if you’re looking for quality, you need to focus on the higher-end paint lines regardless of the brand you choose. That ensures you get the best possible results.

VOC Levels

Behr and Glidden both perform similarly when it comes to VOC levels in their paints. Each brand has zero- and low-VOC paint lines.

With Behr, the Behr Premium Plus line has several zero-VOC paints. For Glidden, the Glidden Premium and Glidden Diamond lines have zero-VOC options.

However, both brands also produce paints that have moderate levels of VOCs. As a result, if no or low VOCs is a priority, you can use either brand; you’ll just want to choose a paint line that meets that need.

Ease of Use

When it comes to ease of use, Glidden outperforms Behr. Glidden is thick enough to go on smooth and offer reasonable coverage. However, it’s also thin enough that using a brush or roller doesn’t usually result in drips if you use the right approach.

Behr paint is incredibly thick. While that allows it to effectively cover dark colors, stains, and discoloration, it also makes it harder to apply. Usually, you’ll want to use a sprayer to make sure that drips aren’t an issue. Otherwise, you need to exercise caution as you paint to ensure you don’t overload any spots.

Coverage

Both Behr and Glidden paints have benefits and drawbacks when it comes to coverage. On average, Behr paint can cover between 250 to 400 sq. ft. per gallon, while Glidden usually comes closer to 350 to 400 sq. ft. As a result, a gallon of Glidden paint may go further.

However, Behr offers one coat coverage, while Glidden may take two to four coats. Mainly, this is because Behr paint is thicker, so it can cover underlying colors, stains, or discoloration with greater ease.

Number of Coats

When it comes to the number of required coats, Behr outperforms Glidden. On average, Behr requires just one or two coats. With Glidden, two to four coats might be necessary.

If you’re painting a wall a color similar to the current hue, this may be less of an issue. However, if you’re trying to cover up a darker shade with a lighter hue, it’s best to assume you’ll need extra coats of Glidden paint, while Behr may still do the job in one.

Drying Time

For drying times, Glidden is a clear winner. For water-based paints, Glidden is dry to the touch in just one hour, while Behr takes four. Additionally, Glidden is ready for a second coat in about four hours, while Behr may require eight.

The main reason the drying times vary is the thickness of the paint. Behr is significantly thicker, so it typically takes longer to dry. However, that doesn’t mean your paint project will take longer overall, as you may only need one or two coats of Behr, while you might have to apply up to four with Glidden.

Cleaning

Since ease of cleaning matters to many households, choosing a paint that isn’t overly challenging to wipe down is often a priority. Glidden can come ahead in this case, but it depends on the paint lines.

Ultimately, neither Behr nor Glidden are known for exceptional durability. Some of their paint lines won’t stand up to scrubbing. However, others are explicitly designed for toughness and easier cleaning.

Price

If you have a tight budget, Glidden may be your best choice. The brand is far less expensive than Behr overall on a per-can basis, including some higher-end Glidden paints.

However, the total cost of a project may be similar regardless of which brand you choose. While Behr is more expensive per can and may cover less square footage, you may only need one or two coats. Since Glidden can take up to four coats, you may need far more cans by using Glidden, eliminating the benefit of any per-can price savings.

Color Matching Glidden and Behr Paint

It isn’t uncommon to like a color available from one brand and the features of a paint made by a different company. When that happens, you may wonder if you can color-match a Glidden color in a Behr paint or vice versa.

In most cases, you’ll have an easier time finding a close match to a Glidden color when shopping for Behr paint than the other way around. Primarily, this is because Behr has a more extensive color selection. As a result, one of Behr’s 4000 colors is likely to close match most of the 1200 hues you find with Glidden.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get Glidden paint in a Behr shade. There may be an existing hue that’s a reasonably close match. Plus, some stores will do custom color matching, or you may be able to blend two shades to get the exact hue you want.

Do You Need Primer with Glidden Paint?

Whether you need to use a primer before using Glidden paint depends on the project and paint line in question. Glidden does offer some paint and primer in one combination products. The Glidden Premium Interior Latex is one example.

However, if you’re painting over a challenging color – such as especially dark or bright hues – Glidden recommends two to three coats of primer. Similarly, if you’re painting raw wood – especially those with tannins – primer is often a must. It creates a smoother starting surface, disguises discoloration, and gives you better overall results.

Do You Need to Prime Before Using Behr Paint?

As with Glidden paint, whether you need a primer depends on the Behr paint line. Some Behr paints – such as the Behr Ultra line – are designed to work well even if you don’t use a primer. However, other paint lines don’t offer that feature.

Additionally, the type of paint project you’re tackling could make a primer a necessity. It’s always best to use a primer when painting raw wood, particularly woods with tannins. If you’re dealing with stained wood or challenging surfaces – like plastic or metal – primer is typically a must, as it ensures better adhesion.

Finally, primer can make it easier to cover darker colors, stains, or discoloration. It may also reduce the total number of required coats, which could reduce the overall cost of your paint project.

Where to Buy Glidden Paint

One benefit of choosing Glidden paint is its very accessible. A wide range of retailers carries the brand. Along with having a place in many builder-focused retailers, you can find it at Walmart and Home Depot. Some non-branded paint stores and independent hardware stores also carry Glidden.

If you prefer to shop online, you can also find Glidden paint on Amazon. While the selection may be slightly limited, both in the paint lines and available colors, it’s an option worth considering if you prefer the convenience of having it delivered to your door. Just be aware that the price may be higher if you go this route.

Where Can You Buy Behr Paint?

For Behr paint, you don’t have as many options as with Glidden. Behr is exclusively available at Home Depot, either in-store or through the retailer’s website.

If you’re near a Home Depot, this isn’t typically an issue. Every Home Depot in the country will have a solid selection of Behr paints, usually covering the most popular products.

However, some paint lines that aren’t in high demand are only available online. Fortunately, you can have it sent to the store or shipped directly to your home, depending on the exact product and whether you need it tinted.

Which Paint Is Better, Glidden or Behr?

Ultimately, both Glidden and Behr paint has benefits and drawbacks. If you’re looking for one-coat coverage or are covering a dark color, stains, or discoloration, Behr is a better choice, particularly if you’re open to using a sprayer. If you’re looking for an easier application or a lower cost, then Glidden might be a better match.

Did you find out everything you wanted to know about Glidden vs. Behr paint? If so, let us know in the comments below. Also, if you know someone who’s about to take on a paint project and is debating between brands, please share the article.