Benjamin Moore Paint: Is it worth the price?
As promised, I used Benjamin Moore’s Regal Eggshell finish paint (with a deep base)in the color “Sea Star” for our dining room. When picking out a color, I was very pleased with the variety and color selection B. Moore provides - they were stylish and fresh. As for the painting itself, I had heard B.Moore is top of the line in application (even and full coverage) and durability. My complaints about other so-called premium paints, such as Duron, is that they still require multiple coats and the paint washes off instead of the marks/stains. So, Benjamin Moore, here we come…
Benjamin Moore Regal Eggshell
Benjamin Moore’s Regal Eggshell finish paint claims it is:
- Highly washable, durable and stain resistant
- Mildew resistant
- Premium hide
When applying the paint, it was smooth and even in coverage. The odor was low and the work went quick. I was hoping to get away with one coat of paint, unfortunately, it ended up being closer to two. After painting, Ethan (and friends - thank you to all) began installing the hardwoods floors in the dining room. The freshly painted walls withstood most dings and mess. It appears to be washable, durable, and stain resistant, at least in the last 3 weeks, although time with tell. So far, no paint has washed off!
Benjamin Moore Cost
As for the cost, this was where I started having problems with Benjamin Moore. I knew up-front that it was more costly, about $41 for “Regal” Eggshell, deep base and $51 for “Aura” Eggshell, deep base(the higher level of paint). I chose the Regal paint because the salesperson couldn’t give me a good answer about what was really better about “Aura,” and I was happy to save 10 bucks. However, when I went to purchase the paint and told them my color selection, $8 was added to cover the cost of the actual color mixed into the paint! In total, after tax, I spent $51.93. What’s worse - the color for “Aura” is included in the price, so in reality they both would have cost about the same. The salesperson said this is something Benjamin More plans to address, incorporating all costs into the final price of the paint, instead of hidden costs.
Overall, was it worth the price? Probably not. I had equally good experience with Ralph Lauren Paint and spent MUCH LESS. Check out my review. Ralph Lauren (in Cheyene Rock color, equally dark as the Sea Star) required less touch ups to the first coat and I used less paint. Sorry, Benjamin Moore, you’re good but not worth the price.
What do you think? What’s your experience with Benjamin Moore paint?
July 7th, 2008 at 11:13 am
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.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
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.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:27 am
After seeing people swoon over BM paint I wondered if it made a difference.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:32 am
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).
July 17th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
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.
September 16th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
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
September 16th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
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!
October 1st, 2008 at 8:18 pm
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!
November 11th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
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!