The photo is from a whole-house interior painting project in Woodstock, IL near Ware Road.
When it comes to transforming the look and feel of your home, the quality of paint matters just as much as the skill of the painters applying it.
At Advantage Painting Services, we’ve proudly helped homeowners in McHenry County and nearby suburbs like Crystal Lake, Cary, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, McHenry, Huntley, and Woodstock create beautiful, lasting interiors.
Over the years, we’ve tested many different brands and products, and three interior paints consistently stand out for their performance, durability, and finish:
Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Interior Paint
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Paint
In this article, we’ll explain why these are our go-to paints for interior projects, how we use each one, and what makes them ideal for house painting in McHenry County IL.
The photo is from a whole-house interior painting project in Huntley, IL near Haligus Road.
Why Quality Paint Matters for Your Home
Choosing a high-quality paint is about more than just color. Premium paints are formulated with better pigments, resins, and additives that provide better coverage, washability, and long-term durability.
That means fewer touch-ups, easier maintenance, and a finish that continues to look fresh years after the job is done.
As experienced painters in McHenry County IL, we’ve seen how lower-quality paints can lead to problems like uneven coverage, fading, and scuffing over time.
Investing in high-quality paint ensures your home’s interior not only looks great but also withstands daily wear and tear. High-quality paints are also a lot easier to apply, saving time and energy.
Sherwin Williams Duration Home Interior Paint
For painting walls, one of our favorite products is Duration Home interior paint from Sherwin Williams. This paint is designed for busy households and high-traffic areas, making it a top choice for living rooms, hallways, kids’ bedrooms, and kitchens.
Why We Use It
Duration paint provides excellent coverage and exceptional durability. It’s formulated with advanced stain-blocking technology that helps resist marks and scuffs, and it’s also washable without damaging the finish.
The paint’s low VOC content means it’s safer for indoor air quality—an important factor for families and pet owners. Each coat dries in about 1 hour with very little lingering odor. Our customers often comment that they can barely smell the paint after it dries.
This paint also brushes and rolls onto drywall with ease, unlike Behr and other cheap paints. The ease of application makes a big difference when you’re painting a large room.
Ideal for Humid Conditions
Homes in McHenry County experience fluctuating humidity levels and temperature changes throughout the year.
The paint’s durable formulation helps it maintain a smooth, consistent finish, even in conditions where lesser paints might peel or crack.
This paint also performs well in bathrooms where painted walls are prone to streaks from surfactant leaching. An even better bathroom paint is Aura Bath and Spa, but Duration Home performs well, too, and costs less.
Where We Use It
Unless our customers want to use another brand, our painters in Mchenry County, IL use Duration almost exclusively for interior walls and bathroom ceilings.
It’s especially good for homeowners who want a long-lasting finish that can be easily cleaned and touched up. The coverage of the paint is also phenomenal and usually requires no more than two coats.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Paint
Another exceptional paint we use for interior walls is Benjamin Moore Regal Select.
This paint is known for its smooth application, outstanding coverage, and elegant finish. It’s a favorite among professional house painters and homeowners alike.
Why We Use It
Regal Select combines durability with a luxurious look. It offers excellent hiding power, meaning fewer coats are needed, and it levels beautifully for a uniform appearance.
It’s also mildew-resistant, making it ideal for rooms like bathrooms or basements where moisture levels can vary.
This paint is expensive, like most Benjamin Moore products, which is why we don’t use it as much as Duration, but it’s our go-to when a customer wants to use Benjamin Moore.
Performance and Finish
Regal Select is available in several sheens—from matte to semi-gloss—allowing us to tailor the finish to each space.
The matte and eggshell finishes are perfect for living rooms and bedrooms, while the satin or pearl finish adds subtle sheen to kitchens or bathrooms.
Why It’s Great for Local Homes
Many Mchenry County homes in our service areas like Crystal Lake, Cary, and Lake in the Hills feature open floor plans and natural light.
Regal Select’s true-color technology ensures that paint colors appear rich and consistent under different lighting conditions, maintaining their beauty year-round.
Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel
When it comes to painting doors and trim, we use Sherwin Williams Emerald urethane trim enamel. Pro Classic acrylic trim enamel is our second favorite.
This premium product delivers a sleek, hard, and durable finish that mimics the look of factory-applied coatings.
Why We Use It
Emerald Urethane trim enamel is designed to resist yellowing and block stains while offering superior adhesion. Unlike traditional oil-based paints, it dries faster, has less odor, and provides a smoother, more consistent finish.
It’s also highly resistant to wear, making it ideal for surfaces that get touched or bumped often, such as baseboards, door frames, and cabinets.
In the past, we used Emerald enamel for cabinet painting but have since switched to a different product that performs better. For DIY cabinet painting though, this enamel will get the job done.
Professional Results Every Time
Our painters in McHenry County IL use this enamel on doors, frames, and base board. When applied with a high-quality paint brush, the enamel levels out beautifully to a finish that looks like it was sprayed.
This enamel also dries harder than acrylic and maintains a fresh look for a long time. We prefer the look of the semi-gloss finish, which is easier to maintain.
The photo is from a bathroom painting project in a home near Country Club Road in Woodstock, IL.
Why We Choose These Three Paints
As experienced painters in Crystal Lake, IL, who have used various paint brands over the years, we’ve learned that not all paints perform the same, especially Behr.
The paints we choose have to meet strict standards for quality, ease of application, and long-term results. Duration, Regal Select, and Emerald Trim Enamel check every box.
Here’s why they stand out:
Excellent coverage means fewer coats, saving time and cost.
Washable and scrubbable finishes make maintenance easier for homeowners.
Long-lasting color retention ensures your walls stay vibrant.
Reliable performance across a range of home environments and materials.
Each product also complements the other—Duration Home and Regal Select provide beautiful, durable finishes for walls, while Emerald Trim Enamel ensures trim and doors have a strong, smooth surface that completes the look.
Serving McHenry County and Surrounding Suburbs
Advantage Painting Services is proud to serve homeowners throughout McHenry County IL, including:
Crystal Lake
Cary
Lake in the Hills
Algonquin
McHenry
Huntley
Woodstock
Whether you live in a newer home in Algonquin or an older house in downtown Crystal Lake, the right interior paint makes a world of difference in comfort, value, and style.
We take pride in using top-rated paints and professional techniques to deliver a clean, long-lasting finish that reflects your personal taste.
Choosing the Right Paint Finish
Even the best paint brands won’t look their best without the proper finish.
As experienced painters in Crystal Lake, IL, we help homeowners choose the right finish for each room based on lighting, traffic, and desired appearance.
Here’s a quick guide:
Flat or Matte: Great for ceilings and low-traffic areas. Hides imperfections but not washable.
Eggshell: Slight sheen, ideal for living rooms and bedrooms. Easy to clean.
Satin: Works well in kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms. Durable and washable.
Semi-Gloss and Gloss: Perfect for trim, doors, and cabinetry. Offers a reflective, easy-to-clean surface.
When we plan a project, we often combine finishes strategically—for example, using Regal Select eggshell for walls and Emerald Urethane semi-gloss for trim to create contrast and depth.
The photo features a staircase painting project in Huntley, IL, near Rainsford Drive.
What Sets Advantage Painting Services Apart
Searching for “painters near me” in McHenry County, IL often yields many options—but not all house painting companies deliver the same level of detail and quality.
At Advantage Painting Services, we focus on:
Professional preparation, including patching, sanding, and caulking.
Using premium products proven to last for years to come.
Cleanliness, efficiency, and respecting your home and schedule.
Transparent pricing and communication throughout the project.
Our reputation as one of the top-rated painting companies in the Crystal Lake area comes from our commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.
We treat every home as if it were our own, using only the best materials and techniques.
The photo is from a living room painting project in Crystal Lake, IL near Barlina Road.
Ready to Refresh Your Home’s Interior?
If you’re thinking about updating your home with fresh, beautiful colors, Advantage Painting Services is ready to help.
We’re your trusted painters in McHenry County IL, offering expert interior painting services for homes in Crystal Lake, Cary, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, McHenry, Huntley, and Woodstock.
Whether you’re looking to repaint your entire home or just one room, we’ll guide you in selecting the perfect colors and finishes using the highest-quality paints in the industry.
Contact us today for a free estimate and discover how our experienced team can make your home look its best.