Johnstone's Covaplus vs Dulux Vinyl Matt: Which Trade Matt Is Better?
A professional painter's honest comparison of Johnstone's Covaplus and Dulux Vinyl Matt — coverage, finish, price, and which one we'd pick for your walls.
Two of the Best Trade Matts — Head to Head
If you ask any professional painter in the UK which trade matt they use, chances are they'll say Johnstone's Covaplus or Dulux Vinyl Matt. Both are proper trade paints — you won't find them in B&Q — and both have loyal followings among decorators. So which one's actually better? Here's our honest comparison.
Coverage
This is where Covaplus really shines. Johnstone's Covaplus has exceptional opacity — it covers brilliantly, even over darker colours or patchy surfaces. Many painters find they can get away with fewer coats compared to other matts.
Dulux Vinyl Matt has good coverage too, but it's not quite as forgiving. On tricky surfaces or bold colour changes, you're more likely to need that extra coat.
| Paint | Coverage (per litre) | Coats Needed (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Johnstone's Covaplus | 14–16m² | 2 (often 1 on recoats) |
| Dulux Vinyl Matt | 13–15m² | 2 |
Finish Quality
Both give a lovely dead-flat matt finish, but there's a subtle difference. Dulux Vinyl Matt has a slightly softer, more velvety look that some decorators prefer for feature walls and living spaces. Covaplus dries to a very clean, uniform flat finish — it's consistent and reliable every time.
In practice, most homeowners wouldn't spot the difference. Both look cracking on the wall.
Application
Covaplus is thicker in the tin and has excellent body — it stays on the roller without spattering and lays off smoothly. It's particularly good for ceilings and cutting in, as it doesn't run or drip easily.
Dulux Vinyl Matt is slightly thinner and flows a bit more freely. Some painters prefer this for large wall areas as it self-levels well. It can be a touch more prone to spattering on ceilings if you overload the roller.
Durability & Wipeability
Neither of these are designed to be scrubbed — they're flat matts, not wipeable paints. That said, Covaplus has a slight edge here. It handles light cleaning better than Dulux Vinyl Matt without burnishing (leaving shiny marks).
If you need a wipeable matt, look at Dulux Trade Diamond Matt or Johnstone's Covaplus Ultra instead — both are tougher versions designed for high-traffic areas.
Colour Range
Both can be tinted to thousands of colours at any trade paint supplier. Dulux has a slight advantage with brand recognition — customers often come to us with Dulux colour names from their Visualizer app. But any Dulux colour can be matched in Johnstone's, and vice versa.
Price
Johnstone's Covaplus is generally a few quid cheaper per tin than Dulux Vinyl Matt. For a 10-litre tin (the standard trade size):
| Paint | Approx. Price (10L, white) |
|---|---|
| Johnstone's Covaplus | £45–£55 |
| Dulux Vinyl Matt | £55–£65 |
Over a full house repaint, that difference adds up. Covaplus offers brilliant value for money without compromising on quality.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Johnstone's Covaplus | Dulux Vinyl Matt |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Excellent | Very Good |
| Finish | Clean flat matt | Soft velvety matt |
| Application | Thick, great body | Flows freely, self-levels |
| Durability | Good | Good |
| Price | Better value | Premium |
| Drying Time | 2–4 hours | 2–4 hours |
| Colour Range | Full tinting | Full tinting |
Our Verdict
Both are brilliant trade paints and you won't go wrong with either. If we had to pick one, we lean towards Johnstone's Covaplus for most jobs — the coverage is outstanding, it handles like a dream, and it's better value. We use it for the majority of our wall and ceiling work.
That said, we keep Dulux Vinyl Matt in the van too. Some customers specifically request Dulux, and for certain colours and finishes it's the perfect choice. The important thing is that both are proper trade paints — miles ahead of anything you'll find on the retail shelf.
Want a Professional Finish?
We use premium trade paints on every job — the cost of paint is always included in our quotes. Use our online calculator for an instant estimate, or book a free site visit and we'll recommend the best paint for your rooms.