Comments on: Benjamin Moore Paint: Is it worth the price?

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:15:26 +0000

I left ben moore a few years ago when they priced themselves out of the market. There are only a few companies making the paints for all these companies. MAB, S-W, Behr, Valspar, etc… have there all-star products, but across the board they are decent paints. After many years of professional painting, I’ve found that a successful paint job is 75% prep and technique, and 25% paint quality. I would never spend more than $35 a gallon, ever. I work with designers and they all spec out BM. I let them know that I will be using another brand cross-referenced to match. They are almost always OK w/ that approach.

Best of luck!

By: David Green

David Green — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:18:34 +0000

Aura is TERRIBLE to paint with!! It is so fast drying/tcky that when you go over an area you have painted 60 seconds before, the brush or roller will lift the paint off and the undercoat will show through. It’s crappy paint to work with; you have to do 2 very thin coats and be careful not to go over an area you’ve just painted. So factor in $50+ a gallon, twice the amount of labour, and it’s no bargain at all. I will NEVER use it again. Stick to cheap paint—it’s cheaper but better in the long run!

By: Jocie

Jocie — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:20:16 +0000

John,
Thanks so much for your feedback. I was tempted to try Aura next time around, but I think I may need to give that a second thought! Thanks again!

By: John the painter

John the painter — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:56:23 +0000

There was a big hype when this Aura paint came out. I have been painting for about 15 years and have pretty much tried every type of paint there could be. A customer of mine had a bedroom to paint and it had vaulted ceilings that run about 15′ high. The paint we used was benjamin moore aura matte finish- color -dove white. I put two coats of the aura matte finish on, 1 coat the first day and the second coat the next day. The customer called me complaining saying there were roller shadow marks, it was not a uniformed finish, and there was a satin like sheen to it. So I went over there to take a look and is was not a uniformed looking finish and it sure didnt look like satin. I had to put a third coat on of benjamin moore ceiling flat and it was fine. So if I had to go through all that and they spent 50-60 dollars a gallon, Aura is not worth the price, stick with Regal

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:20:03 +0000

I’m not sure the exact differences between Regal and Aura, but I know that Aura paint is the only one Ben Moore sells that is lowest in VOC’s (volatile organice compounds) if not completely VOC free. If you’re really into the environment, trying to avoid dangerous chemicals,or both, this is a real selling point. And no matter what finish you get (matte, eggshell, semi-gloss), it’s all washable. I believe they claim that theirs is the only paint that offers this. For someone like me with 3 kids under the age of 7,(two of which are boys), this is nice since I prefer a matte finish but could never get it before with the kids, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. I’m also creatively challenged as someone previously posted, and it’s just easier to look in a magazine and say “That’s it, that’s the color I want.” and then be able to get it. I’ve yet to be disappointed using the Pottery Barn-Benjamin Moore method for picking colors. I’ve basically done my whole house that way, and get nothing but compliments on the colors.

By: Jocie

Jocie — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:32:04 +0000

Mary, Good point about the colors and paying for “creativity.” I did love BM color selection, but I think I could find something comparable or do a color match with RL. Then again I do not have small children sucking my emotional resources. I have had very good experiences with color matching (at least at Big Orange).

By: Corey

Corey — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:27:06 +0000

After seeing people swoon over BM paint I wondered if it made a difference.

By: Mary@notbefore7

Mary@notbefore7 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:10:56 +0000

I love Benjamin Moore and have found it worth the money. BUT, I had great experience with RL too and it is cheaper. So, you can save money. I just go with the people who make my color. What I haven’t had success with is color matching via different companies. Benjamin Moore makes all of the colors you see in the PB catalog which is where I get my inspiration. So it is just easy to go to the store and buy the colors of the room I liked That is what I am paying for, my lack of creativity I guess.

By: Jessica Beganski

Jessica Beganski — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:13:31 +0000

I haven’t tried Benjamin Moore because of the price. Personally, I have used Ralph Lauren for years for my homes and have been very satisfied not only with the coverage but also the color selection. The cost is reasonable - in comparison to Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore.