Walk into any Screwfix or Toolstation and you'll find Sandtex and Dulux Weathershield side by side, within a quid of each other. So which one should you actually buy? I've used both on hundreds of jobs across the Midlands — here's the honest breakdown.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Sandtex Ultra Smooth | Dulux Weathershield |
|---|---|---|
| Price (5L tin, 2026) | £38-£44 | £42-£48 |
| Coverage | 11m2/L (smooth surfaces) | 13m2/L (smooth surfaces) |
| Coats needed | 2 (sometimes 1 on recoats) | 2 |
| Drying time | 2-4 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Protection claim | 15 years | 15 years |
| Finish | Smooth matt | Smooth matt (slightly sheen) |
| Anti-mould | Yes (built-in fungicide) | Yes (Weathershield formula) |
| Flexibility | Excellent (fills hairline cracks) | Good |
| Colour range | 40+ standard colours | 60+ standard + mixing service |
| Application | Brush, roller, airless | Brush, roller, airless |
| Best for | Exposed walls, coastal, rough render | Smooth render, recoats, colour choice |
Sandtex: the decorator's favourite
Ask any time-served decorator what they'd put on an exposed gable end in North Wales and they'll say Sandtex without hesitating. It's thicker than Dulux Weathershield, which means better crack-bridging on older render. The built-in fungicide is genuinely effective — I've seen Sandtex-coated walls stay clean for 8-10 years in damp valleys where Dulux started showing green patches after 4.
The downside: it's harder to get a perfect finish on large, flat surfaces. The thickness that helps on textured render can leave roller marks on smooth blockwork if you're not careful. And the colour range is smaller — if the client wants a very specific shade, you may need to go Dulux.
Dulux Weathershield: the all-rounder
Dulux Weathershield is the safe choice — reliable coverage, good durability, massive colour range. The mixing service at Dulux Decorator Centres means you can match virtually any colour. It's slightly thinner than Sandtex, which makes it easier to apply on smooth surfaces but less effective at filling hairline cracks.
For recoats over existing masonry paint (the most common scenario), Weathershield is hard to beat. It bonds well to old paint, covers in two coats, and dries slightly faster in warm weather. On a straightforward recoat of a semi-detached in the Midlands, it's my default choice.
Our verdict
Choose Sandtex for exposed walls, coastal properties, rough/textured render, and any surface with hairline cracks. Its flexibility and fungicide resistance are genuinely superior in harsh conditions.
Choose Dulux Weathershield for smooth render, recoats, colour-critical jobs, and sheltered walls. Its finish quality and colour range make it the better choice for front-facing walls where appearance matters most.
Not sure which colour to go with? Try the free AI colour visualiser — upload a photo of your house and preview any colour in 30 seconds. Better than buying 4 tester pots.
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