Is it worth paying more for Farrow & Ball?

It’s a question that comes up frequently. With Farrow & Ball paints often costing twice or three times as much as comparable Deluxe and Crown paints – both good quality brands – is it really worth paying the extra? Will you be able to tell the difference?

From a professional decorator’s viewpoint, here’s what I think.

Yes, there is a difference. Will you be able to see it? Maybe. Probably. Enough to pay 2 or 3 times as much? Up yo you.

One reason Farrow & Ball paints cost more comes down to what’s in them. They have less binding agents, less water and more pigment. The high density of pigments does result in a deeper colour, and more use of ‘natural’ pigments makes the colours more sympathetic. You most likely will be able to see the difference in the way the colours interact with the light in the room.

See their current colour range here.

In the 1970s and 1980s most manufacturers began creating acrylic paints with fewer pigments and with added plastics, The paints were engineered for coverage, stability and consistency. And then in the last 10 years water-based paints have taken over in the attempt to reduce use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the environment. Farrow & Ball point out they were the first in the industry to move to an entirely water based range, and that they far exceed the standards.

Farrow & Ball used to get poor write-ups from professional decorators because it was hard to get even coverage in the same number of coats. That’s no longer the case, per Farrow & Ball. They have said they now add between one to 20 per cent more pigment to give better opacity and coverage. Some companies used to want extra money for using Farrow & Ball, but our brush-men like them well enough – although they may expect Farrow & Ball buyers to be giving them better biscuits.

The company has a good history – established in Dorset in 1946, and now one of the UK’s leading traditional paint manufacturers. They have always stuck to traditional manufacturing methods and their colour range reflects that.

For the money? Why not. You only live once.

As always, whatever your choice, your very own GD Parvin Ltd will stand by you and give you our best. Whether the biscuits are McVities or Fortnum and Mason. And whether it’s In our back yard as painters and decorators in Putney, or beyond.

Best wishes

Geoff Parvin
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