House Paints Price Comparison 2026
Compare 1,230 house paints from Dulux, Hammerite & more. Find the best price across top UK retailers — from quick-dry metal paints to trade-grade emulsions.
Dulux dominates this category so thoroughly — over half the catalogue — that it's easy to overlook some genuinely strong alternatives. Our data across 1,230 products tells a more nuanced story: Dulux Trade sits at a significantly higher average price point than standard Dulux, while Armstead Trade offers a comparable professional-grade finish at a price that often undercuts it. If you're decorating a whole house, that gap adds up fast.
The most-compared products in this category are actually Hammerite's Direct to Rust metal paints, which speaks to how many UK homes have garden gates, radiators, or guttering that need attention before the main decorating begins. Hammerite's range starts from just a few pounds for an aerosol and scales up to larger tins for bigger jobs — sensible to sort the metalwork first, then move on to walls. For wall and ceiling paints, prices span from 2 £ for small tester pots up to 81 £ for large trade containers, with the sweet spot for most DIY projects sitting around 23 £.
One thing worth flagging: the format you choose matters more than most people realise. An aerosol is convenient for touching up a wrought-iron railing but wildly uneconomical for a garden fence. Conversely, a 5-litre trade tin is excellent value per square metre but wasteful if you only need to cover a single wall. We'd always recommend calculating your square metreage before buying — most manufacturers quote coverage between 12 and 15 m² per litre on smooth surfaces, less on porous or textured ones.
For those tackling exterior surfaces, it's worth pairing your topcoat with the right primer — skipping this step is the single most common reason paint fails prematurely outdoors. And if you're working on timber, our wood stains and wood treatment categories are worth a look before you reach for a standard paint. The right product for the substrate makes a genuine difference to how long your finish lasts.
Black Friday and the January sales are the two best moments to stock up on trade quantities — retailers like Screwfix, Toolstation, and B&Q regularly discount 5-litre and 10-litre tins by 20–30%. Comparing prices across merchants before you buy is straightforward on MagicPrices, where we track daily price movements so you can spot a genuine deal from a padded "was/now" promotion.
How to Choose the Right House Paint
With Dulux alone accounting for more than half the products in this category, it's tempting to just grab the nearest tin and get on with it. But the wrong paint on the wrong surface — or the wrong finish for the room — is an expensive mistake. Here's what actually matters.
Direct-to-Rust vs. surface preparation required
This is the first question to ask for any metal surface. Hammerite's Direct to Rust formula is genuinely useful — it bonds over light to moderate rust without full wire-brushing, saving hours of prep. But it's not magic: on heavily flaking or pitted metal, you'll still need to remove loose material first. For walls and ceilings, the equivalent question is whether you need a primer first — on new plaster or bare wood, skipping the primer coat almost always leads to patchy coverage and poor adhesion.
Finish: matt, satin, or gloss — and why it's not just aesthetic
Matt finishes hide surface imperfections well, which is why they dominate living rooms and bedrooms, but they're harder to wipe clean. Satin and eggshell sit in the middle — a sensible default for hallways and kitchens. Gloss is the most durable and washable, but it shows every bump and brush mark, so surface prep has to be immaculate. For metal, a hammered finish (as offered by Hammerite) disguises dents and uneven surfaces neatly. Don't choose a finish purely on looks — think about the wear the surface will take.
Coverage and value per litre
A cheaper tin per unit can easily become the more expensive option once you factor in coverage. Most standard emulsions cover 12–15 m² per litre on a smooth, primed surface; metal paints typically achieve 8–12 m². On bare brick or rough render, expect to use significantly more. Always check the manufacturer's stated coverage on the tin, calculate your area, and add 10–15% for wastage and a second coat. Buying a slightly larger tin is almost always better value than running short mid-job.
Interior vs. exterior formulation
It sounds obvious, but interior paint used outside will fail within a season — it simply isn't formulated to handle UV exposure, rain, or temperature swings. Exterior paints contain UV stabilisers and fungicides that interior paints lack. The reverse is less catastrophic but still wasteful: exterior-grade paint indoors is overkill and often has a stronger odour due to higher VOC content. Check the tin carefully — some ranges (particularly Dulux's) look near-identical between interior and exterior variants.
VOC content and ventilation requirements
VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) levels matter both for health and practicality. Water-based paints typically fall below 50 g/L — safe to use in occupied rooms with windows open. Solvent-based paints, including most traditional gloss and metal paints, can exceed 400 g/L and require serious ventilation. If you're painting in a poorly ventilated space, a small flat, or around children or pets, a low-VOC or water-based alternative is worth the slight trade-off in durability. Check the product data sheet if the tin doesn't state VOC levels clearly.
Trade vs. retail: when the price premium is justified
Dulux Trade and Armstead Trade products sit at a noticeably higher average price than their retail equivalents — and for good reason. Trade paints typically offer better opacity (often one-coat coverage on mid-tones), a more consistent finish straight from the tin, and larger container sizes that reduce cost per litre on big jobs. For a single bedroom, the retail range is perfectly adequate. For a full house repaint or a rental property refresh, the trade range pays for itself in time saved. Prices from 23 £ to 32 £ cover most trade options in standard sizes.
- Tester pots and small aerosols (From 2 £ to 12 £) : Tester pots, small aerosols (0.4 L), and 0.25 L tins. Ideal for touch-ups, colour sampling, or small metalwork jobs. Hammerite aerosols and Dulux tester pots dominate this bracket. Don't use this range to budget a full room — you'll spend far more per square metre than buying a proper tin.
- The everyday DIY tin (From 12 £ to 23 £) : Standard 0.75 L to 1 L tins from Dulux, Hammerite, and Cuprinol. Covers most single-surface jobs — a garden gate, a feature wall, or a bathroom ceiling. Good value for occasional decorators. Dulux's retail emulsion range sits comfortably here.
- The sweet spot for room-sized projects (From 23 £ to 32 £) : 2.5 L tins and entry-level 5 L containers. This is where most full-room and multi-surface projects live. Dulux Trade and Armstead Trade appear here, alongside Cuprinol's larger garden paint tins. Best value per square metre for a typical DIY project.
- Trade and large-volume containers (Over 32 £) : 5 L and 10 L trade tins, primarily Dulux Trade and Armstead Trade. Suited to professional decorators, landlords refreshing multiple rooms, or anyone tackling a whole-house repaint. The cost per litre drops significantly at this scale — worth it if you'll genuinely use the volume.
Top products
- Hammerite Direct To Rust Metal Paint Smooth Finish Silver 33% Free 1L (Hammerite) : The most-compared product in the category, and for good reason — the 33% extra free promotion makes it the best value per litre in the Hammerite range. Silver smooth is the most versatile colour for general metalwork. A solid buy if you have a decent-sized metal job on.
- Hammerite Direct To Rust Metal Paint Smooth Finish 2.5 L (Hammerite) : The right choice for larger metal projects — garden furniture, gates, or multiple radiators. Cost per litre drops noticeably versus the 0.75 L tin. Only worth buying if you'll use the volume; Hammerite has a limited shelf life once opened.
- Hammerite Direct To Rust Metal Paint Aerosol Smooth Finish 0.4 L (Hammerite) : Genuinely useful for awkward shapes — railings, hinges, brackets — where a brush is impractical. Expensive per litre compared to a tin, so don't use it for anything larger than a small gate. The finish is consistent and the no-prep formula works well on light rust.
- Hammerite Direct To Rust Metal Paint Hammered Finish 0.75 L (Hammerite) : The hammered finish is a smart choice if your metalwork has dents or surface imperfections — the texture disguises them effectively. Same Direct to Rust formula as the smooth range. Slightly less versatile in colour matching but a better-looking result on older, battered metalwork.
- Hammerite Direct To Rust Metal Paint Satin Finish 0.75 L (Hammerite) : The satin finish sits between smooth gloss and hammered — a good middle ground for garden furniture or window frames where you want a refined look without the full mirror shine of gloss. Slightly less common in trade, but a strong option for domestic use.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Hammerite Direct to Rust paint without removing all the rust first?
Yes — Hammerite Direct to Rust is specifically formulated to bond over light to moderate rust without full wire-brushing. That said, you should still remove any loose, flaking, or powdery rust before applying, as the paint can't bridge unstable material. For heavily corroded surfaces with deep pitting, a full strip-back will give a more durable result. The aerosol format is particularly handy for awkward shapes like railings and hinges.
What's the actual difference between Dulux and Dulux Trade paint?
Dulux Trade paints are formulated for professional decorators and offer notably better opacity — meaning you're more likely to achieve full coverage in one coat, especially on mid to dark shades. They also tend to have a more consistent sheen level and are available in larger tins. The trade-off is price: Dulux Trade averages significantly more per tin than the standard retail range. For a single room, standard Dulux is fine. For a full house or rental property, Trade pays for itself in time and paint saved.
How do I know if I need a primer before painting walls?
You need a primer if you're painting onto new plaster, bare plaster, bare wood, or a surface that's been stripped back. You also need one if you're making a dramatic colour change — say, from a deep red to white. On previously painted walls in reasonable condition, a good-quality emulsion applied directly is usually sufficient. Skipping primer on new plaster is the most common decorating mistake — the plaster absorbs the first coat unevenly, leaving a patchy finish that no amount of topcoats will fully fix.
Is it worth buying cheap house paint, or is it a false economy?
Cheap paint is almost always a false economy for walls and ceilings. Budget emulsions typically have lower pigment density, meaning you'll need three or four coats to achieve what a decent mid-range paint does in two. Factor in your time and the cost of extra tins, and the savings evaporate. The exception is genuinely low-traffic areas — a loft, a utility room, or a garage — where a budget option is perfectly adequate. For anywhere you'll actually live in, spend from 12 £ upwards and buy a known brand.
What does VOC mean on a paint tin, and should I care?
VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds — the solvents that evaporate as paint dries, causing that distinctive smell. High-VOC paints (typically solvent-based gloss and metal paints) require good ventilation and can cause headaches or irritation in enclosed spaces. Water-based emulsions are generally low-VOC and safe to use in occupied rooms. If you're painting a child's bedroom, a small flat, or anywhere with limited airflow, always check the VOC rating on the tin and opt for a water-based formula where possible.
Which finish should I choose for a hallway — matt, satin, or gloss?
Satin or eggshell is the right choice for most hallways. Matt looks beautiful but marks easily and is difficult to wipe clean — a problem in a high-traffic area. Full gloss is washable but unforgiving of surface imperfections and can feel clinical. Satin hits the middle ground: it's wipeable, reasonably durable, and forgiving enough to apply without perfect prep. Many decorators use a satin emulsion on walls and a full gloss on woodwork for exactly this reason.
Are there any traps to watch out for when buying house paint online?
The biggest trap is buying the wrong volume — tester pots and 0.75 L tins look similar in product images but cover vastly different areas. Always check the stated coverage on the product page and calculate your square metreage first. A second common issue is colour matching: screen colours are never accurate, and even the same colour code can look different between a matt and a satin finish. Order a tester pot before committing to a large tin, especially for bold or dark shades. Finally, watch out for "was/now" pricing that inflates the original price — comparing across merchants on MagicPrices makes it easy to spot genuine discounts.