Benjamin Moore Vs. Sherwin Williams: Which Paint Reigns Supreme?

how does benjamin moore paint compare to sherwin williams

Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are two of the most well-known paint brands in the world. Both companies offer high-quality paints that are widely used by professionals and DIY enthusiasts. While both brands offer reliable products, there are some differences and preferences to consider when choosing between the two.

Characteristics Values
Ownership Benjamin Moore: Locally owned
Sherwin Williams: Corporate-owned
Paint quality Benjamin Moore: Superior quality and colour accuracy
Sherwin Williams: Affordable
Sheen Benjamin Moore: Different names for sheen
Sherwin Williams: Different names for sheen
Number of coats Benjamin Moore: Fewer coats needed
Sherwin Williams: More coats needed
Colour options Benjamin Moore: 3,500 options
Sherwin Williams: 1,700 options
Price Benjamin Moore: More expensive
Sherwin Williams: Cheaper
Availability Benjamin Moore: Sold in authorised dealer stores
Sherwin Williams: Sold in own stores

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Quality and durability

Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams are two of the leading brands in the world of paint, each with its own loyal following. Both brands offer high-quality paints, with minor differences that only professionals might notice. However, there are some differences in quality and durability between the two brands.

Benjamin Moore paints are often recognised as having slightly better quality than Sherwin-Williams. Moore's paints tend to have better coverage, requiring fewer coats to achieve the desired finish. This can save you money in the long run, as you will use less paint to cover the same area. Moore's paints also tend to be more durable, maintaining their colour and resisting damage over time. This is due in part to their exclusive Gennex Color Technology and Color Lock Technology, which eliminate the chemicals that cause dark colours to weaken paint and bind pigments to the resin, resulting in fade resistance.

Sherwin-Williams paints also have their own exclusive technologies that improve durability. Their Ceramic Microspheres technology adds tiny ceramic beads to the paint formula, improving durability, resisting cracking, and enhancing insulation. Their Proprietary Resin Technology provides better adhesion and stain resistance, also making the paint more durable and long-lasting. Sherwin-Williams' SuperPaint is considered by some to be the best combination of value and quality, offering excellent coverage, durability, and ease of application at a lower price point than Benjamin Moore paints.

While Benjamin Moore paints may offer slightly better quality and durability, the choice between the two brands often comes down to personal preference, project specifics, and whether supporting local businesses is a priority, as Benjamin Moore stores are locally owned while Sherwin-Williams stores are corporate-owned.

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Cost

Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are two of the most popular paint brands on the market. Both companies offer a range of low to high-quality paints, with Sherwin Williams' ProClassic paint being a popular choice for interior trim due to its low-VOC content, smooth finish, and price range of $40 to $90 per gallon.

Benjamin Moore paints typically cost around $57 per gallon, while Sherwin Williams is slightly more affordable at $53 per gallon. This price difference is also reflected in their respective lines of interior and exterior paint, such as Cashmere, Emerald, or Duration. SuperPaint, a Sherwin Williams product, is considered a good balance of price and quality, retailing at around $48 per gallon, while their top-of-the-line Emerald line is about $30 more expensive.

Benjamin Moore's premium paints, such as Aura and Regal Select, are priced higher but offer advantages that can save on labour costs. Their paints are easy to apply, often requiring fewer coats to achieve the desired finish, and are spatter-resistant, making cleanup easier. Additionally, Benjamin Moore offers a colour consultation service for $99, which includes a 30-minute session with a colour expert, a professional rendering, and up to 5 mailed colour swatches.

While Sherwin Williams may have a more extensive nationwide presence and a wider range of colours with about 1,700 options, Benjamin Moore's local ownership and superior colour accuracy may appeal to those seeking to support community businesses and desiring precise colour matching across different rooms.

Ultimately, the choice between Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams depends on your specific needs, budget, colour preferences, and desired finish. Both brands offer high-quality paints, and investing in either can lead to long-term savings by minimising touch-ups and ensuring durability.

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Sheen

When it comes to sheen, both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer a range of options, from flat to high-gloss. The main difference between the two brands lies in the names of their sheen finishes. While both companies offer similar sheens, they may have different names for each level of glossiness. For example, Benjamin Moore's satin sheen is described as being easier to touch up than the equivalent sheen from Sherwin Williams, which tends to get shinier with each additional coat.

Benjamin Moore's interior paint, Ben, offers flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss sheens, while their premium product, Regal Select, includes matte and pearl finishes as well. Sherwin Williams' Duration product is rated for 250-300 square feet per gallon, while Benjamin Moore's Regal Select covers 350-400 square feet per gallon, with some pinholes. However, Duration is cheaper than Regal Select.

Sherwin Williams also offers Emerald and Cashmere premium products, which can be discounted. Their ProClassic paint is a water-based alkyd, as is Benjamin Moore Advance.

Benjamin Moore's exterior paint is known for its durability and long-lasting colour. Their Gennex Color Technology eliminates the chemicals that cause dark colours to weaken paint, while their Color Lock Technology permanently binds pigments to resin, resulting in fade resistance. Sherwin Williams, on the other hand, uses Ceramic Microspheres to improve durability and resist cracking, as well as Proprietary Resin Technology for better adhesion and stain resistance.

While both brands offer a range of sheen options, Benjamin Moore might be a better choice for those seeking greater colour accuracy and consistency, as well as easier touch-ups. However, for those on a budget, Sherwin Williams could be a more cost-effective option, especially with their discounted premium products.

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Availability

When it comes to availability, there are a few factors to consider when comparing Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. Firstly, in terms of retail presence, a search across 11 zip codes from Alaska to Maine found Benjamin Moore to be available at more locations. However, these stores often offered a more limited selection, primarily carrying the brand's budget-friendly Ben line. On the other hand, Sherwin Williams stores are consistently open, including on weekends, making them more conveniently available for customers.

Another aspect of availability is the ease of obtaining colour consultations. Sherwin Williams offers free virtual colour consultations to homeowners, lasting 30 minutes, and including colour recommendations and chips. In contrast, Benjamin Moore does not currently offer a similar program, and their in-person colour consultations cost $40-$80 on average, booked through individual stores.

In terms of product availability, both brands offer a wide range of colours, with Benjamin Moore boasting over 3,500 options compared to Sherwin Williams' 1,700. However, it's worth noting that both companies can match each other's colours, so achieving a specific colour is possible with either brand.

When it comes to specific products, Sherwin Williams' Emerald line is available in both interior and exterior varieties, while their Emerald Urethane is a popular option for interior trim and woodwork, despite its high price point. Benjamin Moore's Regal Select is their top interior paint product, favoured by over 50% of professional painters, and their Aura line is a comparable offering to Sherwin Williams' Aura and Duration lines in terms of price and coverage.

In summary, while Benjamin Moore may have a slight edge in terms of overall retail presence, Sherwin Williams offers greater convenience with consistent store hours and more accessible colour consultations. Both brands offer a vast array of colours, and while certain products may have limited availability, both companies can match each other's colours, ensuring a wide range of options for consumers.

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Ownership

When it comes to the ownership of paint brands Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams, there is a clear distinction. Benjamin Moore stores are locally owned and operated by independent retailers, while Sherwin Williams outlets are corporate-owned and managed by the company itself. This difference in ownership structures leads to variations in product distribution and availability.

Benjamin Moore relies on a network of authorised dealers and independent retailers like Ace Hardware and JCLicht hardware stores to sell its products. As a result, the availability of specific Benjamin Moore paint lines and colours may vary across different retailers. On the other hand, Sherwin Williams owns and operates all its retail stores, ensuring a standardised product offering across its outlets. This centralised ownership structure allows Sherwin Williams to maintain consistency in its product lines and availability across its stores.

The local ownership model of Benjamin Moore gives it a unique appeal to customers who prioritise supporting small, local businesses. In contrast, Sherwin Williams' corporate ownership structure enables greater control over the customer experience, product availability, and brand consistency.

While the ownership structures differ, both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are renowned for their quality paints, with loyal followings among professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. They are considered two of the leading paint brands in the industry, with only minor differences in their product lines that may be noticeable to professionals.

In summary, the distinction between Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams lies primarily in their ownership and distribution models, with Benjamin Moore favouring local, independent ownership and Sherwin Williams opting for centralised, corporate ownership and management of their stores.

Frequently asked questions

Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer high-quality paints, with minor differences in product lines that only professionals might notice. Some professionals prefer Benjamin Moore for its superior quality and colour accuracy, while Sherwin Williams is often more affordable.

Benjamin Moore tends to be slightly more expensive than Sherwin Williams, with their premium paints costing significantly more. However, Benjamin Moore's paints tend to last longer and require fewer coats, which can save you money in the long run.

Benjamin Moore has an edge in terms of colour selection, offering over 3,500 options, whereas Sherwin Williams has about 1,700 colour options available.

Sherwin Williams owns and manages all of its retail storefronts, whereas Benjamin Moore distributes its paint via independent retailers. This means that it can be more difficult to find a store that sells Benjamin Moore paint, and different retailers carry different product lines.

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