Choosing the right paint for your project can make all the difference in achieving a long-lasting, beautiful finish. While both Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are industry leaders, selecting the right product line and sheen is crucial to ensuring the best results for your specific needs. Here’s a breakdown of our favorite paints for each brand based on years of professional experience.
Benjamin Moore: Premium Performance and Versatility
Exterior Paint: For exterior projects, we like to use Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select line. This product provides a durable finish that resists fading, cracking, and peeling, ensuring your home looks freshly painted for years. Here’s how we typically use it:
- Siding: Low Lustre finish — offers a subtle sheen that enhances durability while maintaining a classic look.
- Stucco: Flat finish — ideal for creating a smooth, understated appearance that hides imperfections.
- Trim: Low Lustre or Aura Satin — both options provide excellent durability and an elegant finish that complements the siding and stucco.
Interior Paint: For interiors, we stick with Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select line, specifically the Matte finish for walls. Here’s why:
- Durability and Washability: This finish stands up to everyday wear and tear, making it perfect for high-traffic areas.
- Appearance: The Matte finish has a slight sheen—more than flat but less than eggshell—and touches up better than eggshell, which many clients find too shiny.
To complete interior projects, we use:
- Ceilings: Benjamin Moore Ceiling Paint — designed to provide a smooth, flawless finish.
- Trim: Scuff-X Satin — this paint offers a slight gloss that resists scuffs and scratches, making it ideal for trim. Its durable finish requires minimal maintenance and ensures a high-quality appearance over time.
Sherwin Williams: High-Performance Solutions
Exterior Paint: When working with Sherwin Williams products, we like to use two standout lines for exterior projects:
- Duration: Perfect for flat finishes. Its excellent solid content ensures long-lasting protection and a uniform appearance.
- Emerald: Best for low-sheen applications, providing exceptional durability and a premium look.
Interior Paint: For interiors, Sherwin Williams’ products also deliver impressive results. Our go-to options are:
- Duration Matte: Similar to Benjamin Moore’s Regal Matte, it offers durability, washability, and a pleasing finish that suits most interior walls.
- Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel: This product is self-leveling and dries to a hard, durable finish, making it an excellent choice for trim and doors. It’s comparable to Benjamin Moore’s Scuff-X Satin in terms of durability and ease of maintenance.
Why Choose the Best Paint?
Paint accounts for approximately 15% of the total cost of a paint job, so investing in the best products is a wise decision. Premium paints like those from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams not only look better but also provide:
- Better Coverage: Higher solid content ensures more of the paint stays on the surface after drying.
- Enhanced Durability: These paints resist wear, fading, and cracking, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or repainting.
- Improved Workability: High-quality products are easier to apply, resulting in a smoother and more professional finish.
By selecting the right paint and sheen for your project, you can ensure your space looks stunning and stays that way for years to come. Whether you choose Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select or Sherwin Williams’ Duration and Emerald lines, both brands offer exceptional quality that delivers outstanding results. During our estimates we talk with our clients to figure out what is best for their home.
