What is "High-end" or "Quality Paint"?

The word "high-end" and "quality paint" is used a lot on Paint Aficionado.  What exactly do we mean by this, though?  Do we simply mean paint that we personally prefer?  These are all fantastic questions and ones that we would like to explain.

To exam paint in its bare form, paint is made of liquids (like water or oil), solids (as in the pigment), and resins (the binders or glue that hold everything together).  The material that the solids (or pigment) is made of can differ.  It can either be made of titanium dioxide, or it can be made of fillers (calcium carbonate, a.k.a. chalk).  There are various grades and types of resins.  The higher quality paints contain resins that offer better adhesion, durability, stain blocking, flexibility, and breathability. Thus, the better quality of solids and resins, the higher the quality of paint.  Some brands (like the brands in the "Big Box Store Quality" list) use substantially more liquids than solids and resins because this lowers their costs; however, it also lowers the performance of the paint.   Products in our "Finest Quality Brands" (e.g., Fine Paints of Europe),  use zero fillers and are completely made of the finest quality titanium dioxide (which is titanium dioxide type 3).  Furthermore, higher quality paints contain additives to help improve various characteristics of the paint, such as: increased spatter resistance, better leveling, anti-microbials (e.g., mildewcides), and improved rust protection.