Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin Williams?
I have a local Benjamin Moore dealer near me. Haven’t seen anyone who sells Sherwin Williams although I’d figure there’s got to be someone somewhere around here too.
I’ve recently tried some Benjamin Moore paint and I’LL NEVER GO BACK to inexpensive brands! I am no pro but I quickly noticed how well the paint covered and how much it covered, without trying to stretch the coverage area. I am also impressed with how well the coating applied and how good it looked after drying.
I’ve seen a lot of the people here mentioning Sherwin Williams in the context of high quality paint. Who out there may happen to have experience with both manufacturer’s product and might have comparisons to make between them? If I had to guess I’d think both brands are of comparable quality? I was so pleased with Benjamin Moore that I’m just curious now if there’s any compelling reasons to check out Sherwin Williams as well. Thanks as always for any replies 🙂
-John
Replies
I've used both, but around here, Benjamin Moore is more popular so that's what I usually use. Sherwin Williams makes some very good paints, but they have a broad range of products (much broader than B-M) and I haven't used all of them. In particular, I've used Cashmere and Superpaint, both of which I've been very happy with.
If you're just painting your own place, you can't go wrong using B-M. If you were planning on starting a painting business, I would suggest that you try both brands and see which you like better. Then, try and stick with it because familiarity with a particular brand and a relationship with your local dealer are good assets.
I'm a Benny Moore diehard myself. If you are going for vivid colors, you might want to check out their new Aura line, low-V0C and one coat coverage.
http://www.myaurapaints.com
"check out their new Aura line, low-V0C and one coat coverage."
They stopped claiming one coat coverage soon after it was introduced. Now they emphasize that you can re-coat in one hour! And that two coats should work for most shades!
I tried it out in my own home for 3 rooms. I found their regal wall satin (which I've used for years) as good, and in some ways better then Aura.
And given that Aura is $52 a gallon, I'll stick with RWSatin...buic
Big names don't influence me. I've tried them all and the regional brand, McCormick paints has me sold at 1/2 the price of the big boyz.
I think it's local to here Ferrel-Calhoun (sp) makes some very good paint at a very good price but they do make it here... but alot of people make good paint... you just have to find em...
p
S-W makes outstanding paint and primers. Lots of personal experience here, including the entire exterior of our house which is B-M trim and S-W Duration on siding.
Jeff
I use B-M paints except that for exterior latex primer, I use California primer. It covers better and when I clean up afterwards, the California primer is harder to clean off of my hands, which makes me think that it adheres better.
John, I've always liked BM paints. But I have to relate an experience I had with them fairly recently. We used BM Satin Impervo oil based on interior trim, in a bright white color, and in short order we had severe yellowing issues with it. (Whole house, 5000 SF)
BM didn't want to do anything about it. Their rep says" thats what happens". "Take it up with the legal department". So be aware of the level of service to expect.
Rich
Rich -
Unfortunately, that IS what happens and it happens more with the new low VOC formula.
Here is more information:
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=contentrenderer_1_9&contentrenderer_1_9_actionOverride=%2Fbm%2Fcms%2FContentRenderer%2FrenderContent&contentrenderer_1_9cnp=public_site%2Farticles%2Fbusiness_resources%2Fbr_technical_bulletins&contentrenderer_1_9np=public_site%2Farticles%2Fbusiness_resources%2Fbr_yellowing_of_alkyd_paints&_pageLabel=fc_businessresources
Of course it would be nice if they told you that in advance.
What about Duron? Where do they fit in this paint equation? I've never used it, but I know a lot of the pros around here are Duron Devotees. Are they just regional? Any good?
i always used BM. Had to use Duron on a project. For the money i think its awesome (interior only). Exterior I only use BM. The $10 Duron covered in 2 coats and it took the $50/gal Aura two coats.
I've always known oil yellows, but this is the first time I've seen it yellow to this degree. Really is unacceptable IMO.
Rich
I have access to both. I prefer SW for two reasons. BM has samples for sale at ~$5 for this little puny jar and they only have a select number of colors available as samples. If you want a BM color that BM does not offer in a sample size, you then have to buy a full quart of it. My BM dealer sells the Regala (?) for $11 a quart. That's a lot of coin for a sample. Regala is similar to SW Superpaint but is about $5-$10 more expensive depending on sales being offered.
I know it may sound trivial but those two factors can add up to quite a bit of money (for those of us on tight budgets) when choosing colors for an entire house. Also, the issue with the color samples just seems to be a lack of customer focus on BM's part in my mind.
the bm dealer i go to has coupons in the newspaper quite often for those sample bottles for free.
The problem is that the sample bottles are only for a limited range of colors. If you want a color that is not offer by BM, you have to pay for a full quart ($11).
I understand your frustration at limited sample colors and the cost, but does Sherwin Williams offer more?
quote: " 114267.19 in reply to 114267.10
I understand your frustration at limited sample colors and the cost, but does Sherwin Williams offer more?"Yes. They will mix a sample of any color they have in stock. They give you a quart (or close to it) for $5.
Have access to both in these parts....use both, and am rarely unhappy.
BM's Stan Impervo (oil base) used to be my "go-to" choice for interior trim...but since they changed the formula due to VOC regulations, the original formula is only available in quarts. Fine for small jobs or touching up original work...but when I'm doing large amounts of trim, I now use SW Pro Classic (water based). ALMOST as good as the original Sat. Imperv.
SW is a hair less expensive, so cost doesn't usually factor in....but their "Pro-block" sealer/primer is the best I've ever used.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
we can still get Impervo line in Gallons here.
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we can still get Impervo line in Gallons here.
The original oil base formula?
Impervo oil in gallons can be purchased here, but with the new, lower VOC content.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
It is oil based. I don't know if it is the original formula though.
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Yeah, I'm a Bennie-Moore devotee. I'm sure you can do better in specific circumstances, or at least save money with some other brands, but B-M provides good, reliable quality -- I may spend more but I know I'm not wasting my time.
I do hear good stuff about S-W -- both brands cater to pros and to pro-level DIYers, vs low-balling or selling gimmicks.
After reading Consumer Reports I went with... Behr.
Half the price, doesn't fade like BM.
OB
SW makes a whole series of paints. And I suspect that BM does also.
The they run the spectrum of performance.
I most often use SW Cashmere and really like it.
But on one job we used some SW "builders paint" that the HO had left over from her last house.
It just did not cover. We used it up with 2 coats and had to get more paint for a 3rd. IIRC it was a light color going over another light color.
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
something else that should be aded to a discussion like this, is the fact that SW took over the old Prat and Lambert line, so they have it in the computer to be able to match any of the old P&L coulors.
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I was painting a old house for resale. Story that I heard was the late HO had poor vision and had been ripped off. Lots of BAD pain. The ceiling looked like it had been painted with what ever partial cans that they had. And the walls where not cut in very well. In someplace a inch or 2 was showing.And all of this over wallpaper. But the heirs did not want to pay strip it all and frankly the house was not worth that much. So I patched and repaired and painted.They picked out the paint at a nearby Do-It-Best hardware store. The paint was made by SW. It was printed right on the label on the back. That is unlike most house brands which say "distributed by" and you don't know who made it.It was about $5 less then Cashmere. But it did not cover as well. So when I needed more I got the SW. But they (the clerk) said that he could not match it by the number, even though they made. Maybe he could find it. But we matched by computer and you could not tell the difference. .
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Both SW and BM have some darn good colour matching software nowdays.
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And if that fails I just go to my B-M dealer and say "match this".
The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one. --Wilhelm Stekel
Arnt BM and SW owned by the same company? and dont they also own P&L?
SW bought P&L several years ago, but they compete with BM
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
BM is owned by Berkshire Hathaway
SW is independent and listed on the NYSEMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Both good. The BM Satin Impervo has been primary choice for interior trim for 20-30 years now.
My painter has gone to more SW for the exterior paints since the change of formulas mandated by gov for low VOC. he believes it works better in this climate - coastal Maine.
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
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i've used both since about '73.... most of the time it was SW
then it was mostly BM...
then SW came out with Duration and we use it a lot on exterior specs
my sub-painters seem to jump back and forth between the two also...
here's my current thinking .....exterior paint... SW Duration
interior ... BM....
but either will do just fine
Other than politics, we got almost too much in common.
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you mean you didn't vote for obama ?
hey.... you got jlc on your agenda ?.... gotta start planning those "signs of spring " events
Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
this morning, the farthest ahead I can plan is getting my snowplow out of the snowbank. I'm in getting dry and rested right now.We had two feet of wind packed all thru the driveway and around the house here. That is how it drifted. I don't know the actual depth of snowfall, but the wind played hell with it.anyways - not trying top avoid a visit, but it is looking like out travel budget will be going to medical trips again this year. More on that later.
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sorry to hear that...health is everything.... money not so much
our snow amounted to 8" on Saturday... then another 3" yesterday....
then it turned to rain..........
i did manage to get sideways in the driveway and back it into a tree...... but not to worry.... Coastline Collision says they can have it looking good as new for $1600
15 deg. this morning and everything is just ice.... left Helen's Buick in the garage and drove her to workMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Those trees sure can sneak up on you from behind!Two years ago, we had 18" of slushy just before Thanksgiving. It sucked me into a tree next to the driveway with my van. One of those snows where once you get going, you wanna keep going, so I bounced off and looked at the damage later.
Just a bruised fender next to the headlight on passenger side, and a missing mirror. I think that was fifteen hundred with paint.So - I am home now. Been plowing and shoveling most of the day. Only had my truck stuck three times ( mostly high centering the plow on this heavily packed stuff when it rides up over) and I pulled two other people out of ditches along the way.I honestly can't remember this much in one storm since we've lived here.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
You found the right one! No need to look any further!
I was at a friends house for a Christmas party recently and the talk turned to them painting their house.
While they chattered on about paint colors I began pondering aloud whether or not Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams were ever at a Christmas party together.
Even now that the drink wore off, I still am curious!
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Not since that year we won't discuss when they got the Dutch Boy drunk on eggnog.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Have used both, for personel projects and contracted jobs. Sherwin Williams wins hands down in my book.
Big fan of Benjamin Moore interior paint! You can really check them out at our local to Sacramento hardware store: https://www.emigh.com/paint-and-painting-supplies. Super friendly people there always willing to help out.