At Peek Painting, we’re always evaluating the products we use to ensure we’re delivering the best possible results for our Central Coast clients. After years of experience with various premium paints, we’ve made Sherwin Williams Duration our go-to choice for interior wall painting in San Luis Obispo and surrounding areas—and we’re confident you’ll love the results. Here’s why Duration has become our standard for interior projects and what that means for your home.
What Makes Duration Special?
Sherwin Williams Duration Interior is engineered as a premium paint-and-primer-in-one that delivers professional results with exceptional long-term performance. It sits in the upper tier of Sherwin Williams’ product lineup, just below their flagship Emerald line, and offers an outstanding balance of quality, durability, and value.
Key specifications:
- Coverage: 250-300 square feet per gallon
- Dry time: 1 hour to touch, 4 hours to recoat
- Finishes available: Flat, Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss
- Low VOC formula
- Paint and primer in one
- Price: $62-68 per gallon (retail often $80)
But these specs don’t tell the full story. What really matters is how Duration performs in real Central Coast homes, day after day, year after year.
The Durability Advantage: Built to Last
Duration earned its name for a reason—it’s engineered to endure. This is the primary reason we’ve made it our standard for interior walls. Duration features proprietary cross-linking technology that creates an incredibly tough, resilient surface. Unlike standard paints where the molecules simply dry, Duration’s formula actually cross-links as it cures, forming molecular bonds that create exceptional durability.
What this means for you:
- Walls that resist scuffing and marking
- Less damage from everyday contact
- Surfaces that maintain their appearance longer
- Fewer touch-ups needed over the years
Superior Washability
Here on the Central Coast, homes need to handle real life—beach sand tracked inside, coastal moisture, active families, and pets. Duration’s washability is exceptional.
Real-world performance:
- Handles rigorous scrubbing without damage
- Resists burnishing (that shiny spot that appears when you clean standard paint)
- Maintains uniform appearance even after repeated cleaning
- Cleans up with simple soap and water
We’ve seen Duration walls cleaned dozens of times over the years without showing wear. That’s not just convenient—it’s a genuine long-term value that saves money on touch-ups and repaints.
Advanced Stain Resistance
Duration’s stain-blocking technology actively repels common household stains rather than just covering them.
Protection against:
- Food and beverage spills
- Handprints and smudges
- Pet-related marks
- Grease and cooking splatter
- General household dirt and grime
The paint essentially has a built-in protective barrier that keeps stains from penetrating the surface. Most marks wipe right off, even if they sit for a while before you notice them.
Perfect for Central Coast Living
Our coastal location presents unique challenges that Duration handles beautifully. Coastal humidity and moisture can be tough on standard paints. Duration’s formula includes:
- Anti-microbial agents that protect against mildew and bacteria growth
- Moisture-resistant properties ideal for bathrooms and kitchens
- Excellent performance in humid conditions common in coastal areas
We see this make a real difference in Central Coast homes, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and homes close to the water. Duration maintains its integrity through temperature fluctuations—important when warm days and cool coastal evenings create expansion and contraction cycles that can stress paint films over time.
Excellent Coverage and Hide
While Duration covers 250-300 square feet per gallon (compared to some paints that claim 350-400), that thicker application delivers real benefits:
Better hide over:
- Previous colors, even dramatic changes
- Repairs and patches
- Imperfections in the substrate
- Primer layers
Rich, full finish:
- Substantial film build
- Excellent color depth
- Professional appearance
- Uniform sheen across the surface
The thicker formula means you’re putting more product on the wall with each coat. That translates directly to better protection and a more substantial, quality finish.
The Game-Changing Cleanable Flat Finish
One of Duration’s most impressive innovations is the cleanable flat finish—something that was nearly impossible until recently.
Traditional Flat Paint Problems:
- Beautiful appearance that hides imperfections
- But marks easily and can’t be cleaned
- Touch-ups often show and flash
- Essentially a “look but don’t touch” finish
Duration Flat Solution:
- Same imperfection-hiding matte appearance
- But genuinely washable and scrubbable
- Resists burnishing when cleaned
- Maintains uniform appearance after cleaning
This is perfect for modern Central Coast homes where you want contemporary matte walls without sacrificing practicality. It’s particularly popular in:
- Family rooms and living spaces
- Bedrooms where you want a soft, non-reflective look
- Anywhere you want to hide wall imperfections
- Spaces that need both beauty and functionality
Versatility Throughout Your Home
Duration performs exceptionally well in every room, which means consistency throughout your home and simplified maintenance.
High-Traffic Areas: Hallways, stairwells, family rooms, and mudrooms take the most abuse. Duration’s scuff resistance and washability shine in these spaces. Walls maintain their fresh appearance despite constant contact.
Kitchens: Cooking generates grease, splatter, and moisture. Duration’s stain resistance and washability make it ideal for kitchen walls. The anti-microbial properties also provide extra protection in food prep areas.
Bathrooms: Moisture, humidity, and cleaning products demand a tough paint. Duration handles steam, splashes, and regular cleaning without degrading or supporting mildew growth.
Bedrooms: While bedrooms see less abuse, Duration’s beautiful finish and excellent color retention create spaces that look great for years. The variety of sheens means you can choose the perfect look for each room.
Kids’ Rooms and Play Areas: Possibly the toughest test for any paint. Duration stands up to crayon marks, handprints, scuffs, and all the creativity kids bring. Parents love that they can actually clean the walls without creating shiny spots or damaging the finish.
Professional Application Matters
Duration is a professional-grade paint that delivers best results with proper application. Its slightly thicker consistency requires experience to apply perfectly, but that’s where our expertise comes in.
Our application process:
- Proper surface preparation (the foundation of any great paint job)
- Correct primer selection when needed
- Professional-grade rollers and brushes
- Proper technique for uniform coverage
- Attention to cut lines and edges
- Two full coats for optimal performance and durability
The extra material cost and skill required for Duration application pays dividends in the final result and long-term performance.
The Value Proposition
Yes, Duration costs more than economy paints—both in material and in the professional application it deserves. But let’s look at the real value:
Upfront Investment:
For a typical 2,000 square foot interior (walls only):
- Duration material cost: approximately $800-1,100
- Professional application included in our quote
Long-Term Value:
- Extended lifespan: Duration typically lasts 8-10 years in good condition
- Reduced maintenance: Exceptional cleanability means fewer touch-ups
- Better appearance retention: Colors stay true and surfaces stay uniform
- Fewer repaints: The longer you can go between full repaints, the more you save
When you calculate cost per year rather than just upfront cost, Duration often delivers better value than cheaper alternatives that need touch-ups, repairs, or full repaints sooner.
Time Savings:
Your time has value. Duration’s washability means you spend less time:
- Worrying about marks and scuffs
- Doing careful, gentle cleaning
- Touching up damaged areas
- Planning the next repaint
Perhaps Duration’s greatest benefit is simple peace of mind. You can actually live in your home without constantly worrying about the walls. This is what premium paint should deliver—protection that lets you enjoy your home rather than tiptoe through it.
Why We Made the Switch
We didn’t choose Duration lightly. After years of using various premium paints on Central Coast homes, we evaluated what our clients valued most:
✓ Long-term durability that justifies the investment
✓ Practical cleanability for real-life situations
✓ Professional appearance that lasts
✓ Reliable performance across all rooms
✓ Coastal climate resistance for our specific environment
✓ Family-friendly durability that handles kids and pets
Duration excels in every category. That’s why it’s become our standard—we’re confident it will deliver exceptional results and long-term satisfaction.
What to Expect with Duration
When we paint your home with Duration, here’s what you’ll experience:
During application:
- Slight ammonia odor (dissipates quickly as paint dries)
- Rich, substantial application
- Professional results from our experienced team
After completion:
- Beautiful, uniform finish
- Rich color depth
- Durable surface ready for real life
- Low-VOC formula safe for your family
In the years ahead:
- Walls that clean easily and maintain their appearance
- Colors that stay true without fading
- Surfaces that resist the wear and tear of daily life
- A finish that makes you proud of your home
Our Commitment to Quality
Choosing Duration as our standard interior paint reflects our commitment to delivering the best possible results for our clients. We could save money using cheaper paints, but we won’t compromise on quality.
What this means for you:
- We stand behind our work with confidence
- Your investment is protected by premium materials
- You get professional results that last
- We’re here to answer questions even years later
This is part of our hassle-free, honest approach to painting. We use what we’d use in our own homes, and we’re transparent about why.
Get Started with Duration
Ready to experience the difference that professional-grade paint and expert application can make?
Our process:
- Free consultation: We visit your home and discuss your project
- Firm quote: No surprises—just honest pricing that includes Duration
- Professional execution: Our experienced team delivers exceptional results
- Your satisfaction: We’re not done until you’re delighted
What’s included:
- Sherwin Williams Duration for all interior walls
- Proper surface preparation
- Professional application by experienced painters
- Clean, efficient work
- 90-day quote validity—no pressure to decide immediately
Let’s Transform Your Space
Fall’s perfect painting weather won’t last forever. If you’ve been thinking about refreshing your interior—or if unexpected schedule changes created an opportunity—now is the ideal time to move forward. Contact Peek Painting today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. Let’s discuss your project, show you why we trust Duration for your home, and provide a firm quote for transforming your space. You’ll love the results. And even better, you’ll love how those results hold up year after year.
