If you happen to visit a paint store these days you’ll notice higher price tags. In the past year, paint manufacturers have had several price mark-ups on their offerings, and may have several more in store for 2012. The premium lines of paint in Toronto have retail prices that are becoming quite intimidating (Aura by Benjamin Moore tops $80…).
The cost of raw materials is the culprit. The price of titanium dioxide, which is a primary ingredient of house paints, has experienced heavy demand worldwide, especially from emerging markets in China and india. The result is an increased pricetag which gets passed on to the consumer. Increases have been on the order of 15% so far, and it is expected to see another 10%+ increase in the coming year.

If you are thinking of painting your house, this is certainly something to consider. Interior painting of an entire home can require a dozen or more gallons of paint, so the unfortunate fact is that it will cost more for a new paint job. Painting contractors don’t have much choice but to continue as usual and hope customers don’t get turned off by the paint bill. One can be tempted to switch to a lower-priced line of paint, but its usually not worth it at any price to compromise the finish. The best thing we can do is just pay the price for the “good stuff”, and that way be sure of the endurance of a painting project. In anycase, if you have a paint job that needs doing, this might be the push you need to get the process going before paint prices rise further.

It is always a good idea to consider some eco-alternatives as a solution. Milk paint is a green product that avoids the issue by using all natural ingredients. Your best bet is to always consult a good painting company for the best advice, as they can make sure there is no wasted or miss-used paint, and your dollar gets well spent.