Who makes the paint for Lowes?
Short answer: Lowe’s primarily sells Valspar-brand paint, which is produced by PPG Industries after its 2017 acquisition of Valspar. The store also offers Lowe’s private-label lines, produced by contract manufacturers. The exact maker can vary by product and packaging.
To understand the landscape, it helps to know the main brands Lowe’s carries, how they’re sourced, and what that means for consumers. Lowe’s has long combined a leading national brand with its own house-brand options, a setup common in large retailers where manufacturing responsibilities are handled by separate firms under contract.
Primary brands and who makes them
The following list highlights the core paint offerings you’ll see at Lowe’s and the general source of each.
- Valspar-brand paints (the main brand Lowe’s has carried for many years): produced by Valspar’s parent and manufacturing network, now part of PPG Industries after PPG acquired Valspar in 2017. In practice, Valspar paints sold at Lowe’s are manufactured through PPG’s facilities and supply chains.
- Clark+Kensington (Lowe’s private-label): Lowe’s mid-range private-label line. These products are manufactured under contract by third-party producers, often coordinating with major paint specialists to maintain quality and performance.
- ColorPlace (Lowe’s budget private-label): Lowe’s budget private-label line. Like Clark+Kensington, ColorPlace paints are produced by contract manufacturers, with the exact maker determined through vendor arrangements and regional production.
Concluding the list, the maker of each product is typically listed on the label as the producing company or as “Produced for Lowe’s.” If you’re curious about a specific can or batch, checking the packaging or asking a sales associate can confirm the exact contractor and facility behind that product.
Private-label paints at Lowe’s: Clark+Kensington and ColorPlace
Clark+Kensington and ColorPlace are Lowe’s two primary private-label lines. These lines are designed to offer consistent quality and value under the Lowe’s brand, while the actual manufacturing is handled by contract partners. The arrangement allows Lowe’s to control pricing and availability while relying on established production networks to ensure performance standards.
Clark+Kensington
Clark+Kensington is positioned as a mid-range option with a focus on color variety and user-friendly performance. The formula development and production are managed through contract manufacturers working with Lowe’s product teams and, where relevant, with input from major paint technology providers to ensure coating performance and low-VOC compliance.
ColorPlace
ColorPlace is Lowe’s value-focused paint line. As with other private-label lines, its production is executed by contracted manufacturers under Lowe’s specifications. Availability and formulation can vary by region, stock, and current supplier arrangements.
What this means for shoppers
For consumers, the key takeaway is that Lowe’s paint shelf is a mix of a national brand (Valspar) and Lowe’s private-label options. The national-brand paints are backed by a large, well-established manufacturer (PPG via the Valspar brand), while private-label lines offer Lowe’s curated pricing and color options produced by contract manufacturers.
Tips for making a purchase:
- Read the label to confirm the “Produced by” or “Manufactured by” line to identify the exact maker.
- Ask staff about the current manufacturing partner for a specific line or color you’re considering.
- Check product pages or packaging for VOC ratings, warranty information, and coverage data, which can vary between brands and private-label lines.
In a rapidly evolving market, Lowe’s and its suppliers periodically adjust lineups and manufacturing partners. The Valspar-PPG relationship remains the cornerstone of Lowe’s paint offerings, with private-label lines serving as complementary options.
Summary
- The core Lowe’s paint supply is Valspar, produced by PPG Industries after PPG’s acquisition of Valspar in 2017.
- Lowe’s also sells private-label lines, Clark+Kensington and ColorPlace, manufactured by contract partners under Lowe’s guidelines.
- For a definitive answer on a specific can, check the label’s “Manufactured by” line or ask store staff—the maker can vary by product and production run.
Is Valspar the same paint as Sherwin-Williams?
Yes, Valspar is a brand owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company. Sherwin-Williams acquired Valspar in 2017, creating a global leader in paint and coatings, which now includes both the Sherwin-Williams and Valspar brands.
- Acquisition: The acquisition was completed on June 1, 2017, and was a major merger that significantly expanded Sherwin-Williams' global reach and product portfolio, particularly in industrial coatings.
- Brand Structure: While part of the same company, Valspar and Sherwin-Williams generally remain distinct brands with different product lines and pricing, such as Valspar being known for a reasonably priced, high-quality option available at retail stores like Lowe's, and Sherwin-Williams focusing more on its premium, proprietary lines, as noted by Lightmen Painting and Yahoo.
Who makes the paint for Lowe's?
Lowe's paint is made by a few different manufacturers, most notably Sherwin-Williams for its exclusive HGTV Home® by Sherwin-Williams brand and also sells other brands like Valspar® and Magnolia Home. Sherwin-Williams produces several lines for Lowe's, but they have different formulations from the paints sold in Sherwin-Williams stores, such as the "Infinity" line for Lowe's versus "Emerald" for its own stores.
Key details
- HGTV Home® by Sherwin-Williams: This is the primary brand exclusive to Lowe's and is manufactured by Sherwin-Williams.
- Formulation differences: Despite being made by the same company, the HGTV Home paints sold at Lowe's are not identical to Sherwin-Williams' higher-end lines sold in their own stores. They have different formulas and qualities.
- Other brands: Lowe's also carries a wide variety of other paint brands, including Valspar® and Magnolia Home.
- Partnership: Lowe's has a strategic partnership with Sherwin-Williams to be the exclusive retailer for certain paint brands in the US.
Who makes the paint for Home Depot?
Behr manufactures interior and exterior house paints, decorative finishes, primers, stains and surface preparation products sold exclusively at The Home Depot.
Is Sherwin-Williams paint at Lowes the same quality?
No, Sherwin-Williams paint at Lowe's is not the same quality as paint from a Sherwin-Williams store; it's a different product line with a lower quality formula. The paint sold at Lowe's is part of the "HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams" line, which is a separate brand with a lower-quality formulation compared to Sherwin-Williams' premium lines like Emerald or Duration.
Key differences
- Formulation: Paint from Sherwin-Williams stores is formulated with more solids, making it thicker and easier to work with, while the Lowe's version is a thinner, lower-quality product.
- Quality: The paint at Lowe's is considered an entry-level product, while the paint sold at Sherwin-Williams stores includes higher-end professional-grade options that offer superior durability and coverage.
- Branding: The paint at Lowe's is branded as "HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams" and is a distinct line from the professional paints sold at Sherwin-Williams stores.
- Performance: The difference in quality can result in performance issues such as poor coverage, a less durable finish, and difficulties with touch-ups.
