Paint

Choosing the Right Paint for Your Project

At County Building Supplies, we supply trade paints and specialist coatings for professional painters, decorators, builders and DIY customers. Whether you're decorating interior walls, painting exterior masonry or refreshing woodwork, choosing the right paint helps achieve a durable, professional-looking finish.

Our range includes products from Dulux Trade, Armstead Trade and Barrettine, covering interior and exterior paints, gloss, satinwood, primers, undercoats and wood treatments.

Types of Paint for Different Surfaces

Different surfaces require different paint formulations. Our paint categories include:

• Interior paint: Emulsions and specialist finishes for suitable walls and ceilings.
• Exterior & masonry paint: Coatings designed for compatible external walls and masonry surfaces.
• Gloss and satinwood paint: Popular finishes for doors, skirting boards, architraves and other suitable woodwork.
• Floor paint: Specialist coatings designed for compatible floor surfaces and expected levels of wear.
• Primers and undercoats: Used to prepare suitable surfaces and improve the performance of subsequent paint coats.
• Wood preservatives and varnishes: Products for protecting and finishing suitable timber surfaces.

Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for surface compatibility, preparation and application.

Matt vs Eggshell vs Satinwood vs Gloss Paint

The finish you choose affects the appearance of the painted surface and may influence its suitability for different areas.

Matt paint provides a low-sheen finish commonly used on walls and ceilings. Eggshell offers a subtle sheen and is available in durable formulations for suitable interior surfaces.

Satinwood provides a smooth, mid-sheen finish often chosen for interior woodwork, while gloss paint produces a higher-shine finish for compatible doors, skirting boards and trim.

Durability, washability and application requirements vary between products, so check the individual paint specification.

Do You Need Primer or Undercoat Before Painting?

Primers and undercoats help prepare surfaces for a finishing coat. Primer is commonly used on bare or previously untreated materials, while undercoat can help provide an even base for compatible topcoats.

Whether you need one or both depends on the surface, its condition and the paint system being used. County stocks selected Dulux Trade primers and undercoats, including products for wood and MDF.

How Much Paint Do You Need?

To estimate paint quantities, measure the area to be painted in square metres and multiply by the number of coats required. Divide this figure by the manufacturer's stated coverage per litre.

For example, a 30m² wall requiring two coats represents 60m² of coverage. If the paint covers 12m² per litre, approximately 5 litres would be needed before allowing for waste or additional coats.

Actual coverage depends on surface texture, porosity and application method.

Need Advice?

Not sure which paint or finish is suitable for your project? Visit your local County Building Supplies branch or contact our team for product information, availability and delivery options.