Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint vs. Duration: Which Paint Is Better?

Are you preparing for a paint project but can’t decide between Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration?

In this comparison of Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint vs. Duration, you’ll learn how they differ in coverage, durability, washability, VOCs, finishes, price, and more.

I also reveal what experts at Sherwin-Williams say about both paint lines.

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Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint vs. Duration: Comparison Chart
• Similarities Between Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration
• Differences Between Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration
• What Experts at Sherwin-Williams Say
• Bottom Line: Should You Use Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint or Duration?

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Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint vs. Duration: Comparison Chart

Use the chart below to compare Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint vs. Duration across key categories.

	SuperPaint	Duration
Type	Interior and Exterior	Interior and Exterior
Paint and Primer	Yes	Yes
VOCs	<50 g/l	<50 g/l
Colors	1,700 options	1,700 options
Dry Time	4 hours to recoat	4 hours to recoat
Coverage Per Gallon	350-400 square feet	350-400 square feet
Interior Volume Solids	37-41%	33-40%
Exterior Volume Solids	37-38%	37-43%
Interior Finishes	Flat, Satin, Velvet, and Semi-Gloss	Flat, Matte, Satin, and Semi-Gloss
Exterior Finishes	Flat, Low Lustre, Satin, Gloss, and High Gloss	Flat, Low Lustre, Satin, and Gloss
Versions	Standard, Air Purifying, Sanitizing (interior only)	Standard
Appearance	✔✔	✔✔
Easy to Clean	✔✔	✔✔✔
Mold & Mildew Resistance	✔✔ – ✔✔✔	✔✔✔
Ease of Application	✔✔	✔✔
Durability	✔✔	✔✔✔
Coverage/Hide	✔✔	✔✔
Price	$$$	$$$$

Similarities Between Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration

Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration have many similarities, including the type of paint, VOCs, color selection, dry time, coverage per gallon, and the inclusion of VinylSafe®.

Let’s quickly review these similarities.

Acrylic Latex Paint

SuperPaint and Duration interior are water-based acrylic latex paint.

Acrylic latex paints are water soluble and offer excellent coverage on most surfaces. They dry faster than oil-based paints, and you can easily wash them out of brushes and rollers.

You don’t need to use harsh solvents to clean up, which is better for your health and the environment.

Paint and Primer

Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration are both paint and primer in one, which saves you time and money.

It’s important to note that if you’re painting unfinished drywall, it is still recommended that you apply one coat of specialty primer before using either SuperPaint or Duration.

VOCs

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are solvents used in paint, adhesives, and cleaning products. As the paint dries and the liquid components evaporate, VOCs are released into the air, lingering for hours or even days. These are the compounds that create the strong odor in paint.

VOCs are potentially hazardous and known to cause headaches and lightheadedness, so the federal government and the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) limit the allowable amount of VOCs in paint.

Paint is considered low VOC if it has less than 250 grams per liter for flat finishes and 380 g/l for low-luster and semi-gloss finishes.

Both Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration are low-VOC and comply with VOC regulations. However, neither are zero VOC paint.

Colors

Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration come in the same wide range of color choices. With both types of paint, you have access to a suite of tools to help you select the best shade of paint for your home.

The ColorSnap® Visualizer tool lets you see what a color will look like in your home. You can either use a Sherwin-Williams stock photo or upload a picture of the room you want to paint, then virtually apply paint to the walls to see how it looks.

Dry Time

The dry time for both SuperPaint and Duration interior paints is 1 hour to touch and 4 hours between coats.

The dry time for the exterior paint formulas depends on temperature. However, both lines are dry to touch after two hours and can be recoated in 24-48 hours at temperatures as low as 35°F.

Coverage Per Gallon

According to Sherwin-Williams, both SuperPaint and Duration cover 350-400 square feet per gallon. Both interior paint lines look best with two coats of paint.

Cleaning

SuperPaint and Duration are both water-soluble acrylic latex paints. As a result, all you need for cleaning are soap and water. However, you should wipe up any spills or marks immediately with water and can add a little mild soap if necessary to wipe clean.

There’s no need to use any harsh cleaners on SuperPaint or Duration. A harsh cleanser could end up removing the paint or ruining its finish.

VinylSafe®

Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration exterior paint is also VinylSafe®. You can use it to repaint vinyl siding as long as it’s in good condition.

Without VinylSafe®, you wouldn’t be able to apply darker color on top of a lighter shade without damaging the vinyl. So with both SuperPaint and Duration, you can choose from 100 color options and not be limited by the current color of your siding.

Differences Between Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration

While Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration have several similarities, they are also different in many ways, including their volume solids, variety of finishes, specialty versions, and specialty technologies.

Let’s review the differences in more detail.

Volume Solids

Volume solids are the solid components of paint — the pigment and binder that remains on your walls when the liquid part dries. Paint with higher volume solids is thicker, providing better coverage, durability, and protection.

The tables below show the volume solids in SuperPaint and Duration. As you’ll see, they vary by the finish. In some cases, SuperPaint has higher volume solids than Duration and vice versa. 

Finish	SuperPaint Interior	Duration Interior
Flat	38 ± 2%	40 +/- 2
Matte	N/A	40 +/- 2
Satin	40 ± 2%	38 +/- 2
Velvet	41 ± 2%	N/A
Semi-Gloss	37 ± 2%	33 +/- 2

Finish	SuperPaint Exterior	Duration Exterior
Flat	37 ± 2%	43 +/- 2
Matte	N/A	39 +/- 2
Low Lustre	37 ± 2%	N/A
Satin	37 ± 2%	38 +/- 2
Semi-Gloss	N/A	42 +/- 2
Gloss	38 ± 2%	N/A
High-Gloss	37 ± 2%	N/A

Finishes

Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration interior and exterior paint lines are available in various finishes.

Here’s what’s available with each paint line.

Finish	SuperPaint Interior	Duration Interior
Flat	✔	✔
Matte	✘	✔
Satin	✔	✔
Velvet	✔	✘
Semi-Gloss	✔	✔

Finish	SuperPaint Exterior	Duration Exterior
Flat	✔	✔
Matte	✘	✘
Low Lustre	✔	✔
Satin	✔	✔
Semi-Gloss	✘	✘
Gloss	✔	✔
High-Gloss	✔	✘

SuperPaint interior comes in flat, satin, velvet, and semi-gloss. Duration interior paint is available in flat, matte, satin, and semi-gloss.

SuperPaint exterior comes in flat, low-lustre, satin, gloss, and high gloss. Duration exterior is available in flat, low lustre, satin, and gloss.

Finish describes the level of sheen in paint after it dries, as follows:

• Flat – non-reflective, hides blemishes, makes walls look smooth.
• Matte – flat finish good for hiding subtle imperfections with a washable angular shine.
• Satin – slight gloss, richer look, best for high-traffic areas.
• Low-lustre – durable and easy to clean, smooth, subtle sheen.
• Velvet – slight gloss combining benefits for a flat finish and cleanability
• Semi-gloss – lustrous, durable finish, best for areas that are cleaned frequently.
• Gloss – lustrous, shiny finish best for windowsills, doors, and other areas you’d like to highlight.

Specialty Versions

SuperPaint is available in two specialty versions – air purifying and sanitizing. Duration is only available in one version with antimicrobial agents.

Air Purifying SuperPaint is not only zero-VOC, but its innovative technology lowers VOC levels from other sources such as carpets, cabinets, and fabrics. It contributes to purer air and helps rooms stay fresher longer with odor-eliminating technology.

Sanitizing SuperPaint has bacteria-fighting technology to reduce the spread of bacteria on painted surfaces. Its Sanitizing Technology kills 99.9% of common bacteria such as Staph, E. coli, and MRSA within two hours of exposure. It kills up to 90% of bacteria for four years when the surface integrity is maintained.

Antimicrobial

The Duration paint line contains antimicrobial agents to prevent mold and mildew growth. SuperPaint doesn’t have antimicrobials in any of its versions.

Moisture Blocking Technology

Another feature of Sherwin-Williams Duration interior paint is moisture-blocking technology, making it the ideal paint for humid rooms, like the bathroom.

PermaLast® Technology

Duration exterior paint has PermaLast® technology. It contains acrylic co-polymers that make the paint thicker and last longer. The flexible layer provided by the paint helps protect the exterior of your home from the elements.

Price

Price varies by finish and depends on where you purchase the paint and if any promotions are running.

However, the listed price for Duration interior paints is $10 more than the standard version of SuperPaint (per gallon). The other two versions of SuperPaint interior are slightly more expensive than the standard version (by a few dollars) but still cheaper than Duration.

Duration’s exterior paint is also more expensive than SuperPaint’s line. Duration is listed between $15-20 more per gallon than SuperPaint.

Compare the current prices of Duration and SuperPaint on Sherwin-Williams.com (SuperPaint, Duration).

What Experts at Sherwin-Williams Say

No one knows these two paint lines better than the people selling them every day. So I contacted several Sherwin-Williams stores to get their product specialists’ expert opinions.

When I spoke to each expert, I asked: What’s the difference between SuperPaint and Duration? Is one better than the other?

The product specialist at the Sherwin-Williams store in Dedham, Massachusetts, said, “Duration is more washable. You can wipe the walls aggressively without the paint fading, and it will last longer. It goes on smoother than SuperPaint and is a higher-grade paint overall.”

The paint expert at the Sherwin-Williams store in Newton, Massachusetts, said, “Duration is more expensive than SuperPaint, but it will last longer. SuperPaint is cheaper, but you might need to redo it more often, so it could cost you more in the long term.”

The paint specialist at Sherwin-Williams in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, said, “Both are quality, low-VOC paints, but if you’re painting a bathroom, Duration has better moisture resistance.”

Lastly, I spoke with the paint expert at the Sherwin-Williams store in Framingham, Massachusetts. He said, “Duration is one step up from SuperPaint. It provides better durability and washability. Both cover well, but Duration will hold up better in high traffic areas like hallways and playrooms.”

He mentioned, “Duration is also better than SuperPaint for high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms. SuperPaint is excellent for larger areas like living rooms and dining rooms, but since it’s not as durable, I’d recommend Duration for areas that get a lot of use.”

Bottom Line: Should You Use Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint or Duration?

Now that you know the similarities and differences between Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Duration, it’s time to decide which paint line is best for your project.

Before I share my recommendation, let’s recap the main points.

• Both paints are acrylic latex formulas that include primer.
• Both are low VOC.
• You can choose from the same 1700 colors.
• Both interior formulas have the same dry time and the exterior dry times depend on the weather and temperature.
• Both provide 350-400 square feet of coverage per gallon and require two coats for best results.
• Both lines are easy to clean with mild soap and water.
• Both lines’ exterior formulas include VinylSafe®, which makes them good options for painting vinyl siding.
• The volume solids vary between the various finishes of both lines.
• SuperPaint and Duration are available in several different finishes.
• Only SuperPaint comes in sanitizing and air-purifying versions.
• Only Duration comes with antimicrobial and moisture-blocking technology.
• Only Duration exterior paint has PermaLast® technology.
• SuperPaint is less expensive than Duration.

Bottom line – Duration is a higher-grade paint. It costs slightly more per gallon but offers superior washability, durability, and unique advantages like mold and mildew resistance.

Opt for Duration interior if you’re painting an area with a lot of moisture, like your bathroom. If you’re painting the exterior of your home, go with Duration exterior. It’s more highly rated and has PermaLast® Technology.

For other projects, either SuperPaint or Duration will do a great job, but you can save a few dollars with SuperPaint. Finally, if air purifying or sanitizing paint is important to you, SuperPaint is the only line that offers those options.

Learn more about both paint lines on Sherwin-Williams.com (SuperPaint, Duration).