Choosing paint for your home can feel overwhelming with so many options available.
Two brands that come up constantly in conversations with my clients are Taubmans and Dulux.
I’ve been working with both for around 12 years now, and I thought I’d share what I’ve learned about there differences and when you might want to choose one over the other.
Both brands make quality paint, but they do have different personalities if that makes sense.
It’s a bit like comparing two good cars – they’ll both get you where your going, but the driving experience is different.
The texture difference that really matters
The first thing I always notice when opening a tin is how different they feel. Dulux comes out thicker – much thicker than Taubmans. This isn’t necessarily good or bad, but it definitely affects how you work with it.
Taubmans has this lovely flow to it straight from the tin. Its easier to spread and brushes out really smoothly.
Dulux takes a bit more effort to spread evenly, especially if your using brushes for detailed work. I’ve learned to sometimes thin Dulux down slightly on really hot days because it can get quite tacky.
Actually, that reminds me of a job I did last summer where the client specifically wanted Dulux Weathershield for there weatherboard house.
It was about 38 degrees that day and the paint was setting up so fast I could barely keep a wet edge. Should of planned that one better!
Pricing and value considerations
Generally speaking, Taubmans is going to save you money. Usually around $15-20 per tin cheaper than equivalent Dulux products. On a whole house job, that can add up to several hundred dollars difference.
But pricing isn’t just about the upfront cost. I’ve found that Taubmans Endure often covers better than some Dulux products, so you might need fewer coats. Coverage rates can vary quite a bit between different product lines within each brand too.
From what I’ve seen, both brands offer good value, just in different ways. Taubmans gives you solid performance for less money upfront.
Dulux costs more but you get that premium brand recognition and sometimes specific features that might be worth paying for.
Performance differences I’ve noticed over the years
Stain resistance is probably where I see the biggest practical difference. Dulux Wash & Wear really does live up to its name – I’ve had kids bedrooms where crayon marks just wiped off with a damp cloth.
Taubmans Endure is good too, but Dulux edges it out here.
For exterior durability, both brands perform similarly in Perth conditions. I’ve seen houses painted with both that still look great after 8-10 years, and I’ve seen both fail early when the prep work wasn’t done properly.
The surface preparation honestly matters more than which brand you choose.
Coverage varies quite a bit between products. Taubmans generally needs fewer coats in my experience, especially there Endure range.
Some of the lighter Dulux colours can be a bit translucent and need that extra coat to look solid.
Oh, and I should mention application temperature. Both brands specify not to use below 10 degrees or above 35 degrees, but Dulux seems more sensitive to extreme temperatures. The thicker consistency doesn’t help in hot weather.
Colour options and matching
Both brands have extensive colour ranges these days. Dulux probably has a slight edge with there seasonal collections and trend colours, which some people really enjoy.
Though honestly, most of my clients end up choosing fairly standard whites and neutrals anyway.
Custom colour matching depends more on your paint store’s equipment than the brand.
Some suppliers have really good spectrophotometers that give accurate matches, others are working with older machines that are hit and miss.
Availability is where Dulux wins hands down. Every paint store stocks the full Dulux range, while Taubmans availability can be patchy. Smaller stores might only carry the popular Taubmans products.
Environmental considerations
Both brands have stepped up there game with low-VOC options. Taubmans Pure Performance and Dulux Enviro2 are both good choices if your concerned about indoor air quality.
The low-VOC paints generally cost a bit more but worth it for bedrooms and kids rooms.
Modern paints overall are much better than what we used to work with. Even the standard ranges don’t have the harsh chemical smell that older paints had.
I remember when you’d have to ventilate a house for days after painting – those days are mostly gone.
Application characteristics
This is where personal preference really comes into play. Taubmans flows off the brush beautifully and is more forgiving if your technique isn’t perfect.
Less brush marks, easier to get smooth finishes on trim work.
Dulux requires a bit more skill to apply perfectly because of that thicker consistency. But some painters actually prefer working with thicker paint once they get used to it.
Gives you more control over where the paint goes.
Temperature affects both brands but Dulux more so.
Cold weather makes it even thicker, hot weather can make it tack up quickly. Taubmans stays more workable across different conditions.
Product ranges and specialties
Taubmans keeps things relatively simple with there range.
Endure for interiors, All Weather for exteriors, Pure Performance for low-VOC needs. Easy to understand and choose from.
Dulux has a much broader range of specialty products.
Light+Space for dark rooms, specific bathroom paints, different primer formulations. More options but can be overwhelming if you just want good basic paint.
The Taubmans Nanoguard technology in there Endure range is actually pretty impressive. Stains really do come off easier than with most paints. Not sure about the exact science behind it, but it works in practice.
What other painters think
Opinions are mixed in the trade, which keeps things interesting. Some painters swear by Dulux and have built there reputation on using premium brands. Others love the value proposition of Taubmans.
Generally, older painters tend to stick with Dulux because that’s what they’ve always used and what clients recognize.
Younger painters are more willing to try Taubmans, especially when cost is a factor.
Commercial work often specifies Dulux because architects and specifiers know the brand.
Residential gives you more flexibility to choose what works best for each situation.
Regional preferences and supplier relationships
Different areas seem to lean toward different brands. Northern suburbs around Perth use lots of Dulux, southern areas are more mixed.
Could be supplier influence or just local preferences building up over time.
Your relationship with paint suppliers can influence which brand you end up using more than you might think.
Better trade pricing, product advice, payment terms – these practical considerations matter in business.
Some suppliers really push one brand or the other depending on what margins they get.
Trade stores will sometimes have weekly specials that make one brand much more attractive price-wise.
When I’d recommend each brand
For budget-conscious projects, Taubmans is usually my first suggestion. Great performance for the money and clients are always happy with the results.
High-end residential projects might suit Dulux better, especially if the client values brand recognition or wants specific product features like Light+Space or premium stain resistance.
Commercial work often has the brand specified in the tender documents anyway, so that decision gets made for you.
Really though, both brands will give you excellent results if the application is done properly.
The prep work and technique matter way more than brand choice in most situations.
Practical tips that work with both brands
Proper stirring is crucial regardless of which brand you choose. Five minutes minimum with a flat stirrer, making sure everything’s properly mixed. Lazy stirring causes colour variations and poor coverage.
Surface preparation is more important than which paint you buy. Clean, sound surfaces with appropriate primer will make any quality paint perform well.
Don’t skip the primer, especially when going from dark to light colours or painting over stains.
Both brands have good primer systems that work well with there topcoats.
My honest take
You can’t really go wrong with either brand for most residential applications. Taubmans offers better value, Dulux gives you premium brand recognition and sometimes specific features worth paying for.
I’d suggest getting samples of both if your not sure.
Most suppliers will do small sample pots so you can see how they apply and what the finish looks like in your specific lighting.
Don’t get too caught up in brand comparisons – both companies make quality paint that will serve you well if applied correctly.
