Benjamin Moore Paint Types Overview

Benjamin Moore has been a trusted name in the paint industry since 1883. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation for creating long-lasting, high-quality paints.

Choosing the right paint is key to getting the best results, whether you’re painting a small room or an entire house.

Different spaces in your home have different needs, such as moisture-prone areas like bathrooms or high-traffic zones like hallways.

Picking the right type of paint helps ensure your walls look great and stay protected over time.

Overview of Benjamin Moore Interior Paint Lineup

Aura Interior Paint

Premium paint that offers rich, vibrant colors.
Works well in high-traffic areas like living rooms and hallways.
Requires fewer coats for full coverage, saving time.
Easy to clean, with marks and stains coming off with soap and water.

Regal Select Interior Paint

Offers a great balance between quality and price.
Includes primer, saving you an extra step.
Has mildew resistance, making it ideal for damp areas.
Dries quickly, usually within one to two hours.

Ben Interior Paint

A budget-friendly option for basic projects and touch-ups.
Dries fast, allowing you to apply multiple coats in one day.
May need more coats compared to higher-end paints for full coverage.

Advance Interior Alkyd Paint

Perfect for trim, cabinets, and doors.
Provides a smooth, high-quality finish.
Cleans up with water, offering the benefits of oil-based paint with easy cleanup.
Durable and resistant to wear, making it great for high-use areas.

Detailed Comparison of Benjamin Moore Paint Lines

Feature	Aura	Regal Select	Ben	Advance
Price per Gallon	$85	$55-60	$45	$65
Coverage (sq ft/gallon)	400-450	375-425	350-400	400-450
Dry Time (hours)	1	1-2	1-2	4-6
VOC Level	Very Low	Low	Low	Low
Finishes Available	Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-gloss	Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Pearl, Semi-gloss	Flat, Eggshell, Semi-gloss	Satin, Pearl, Semi-gloss
Best Uses	High-end spaces, rich colors	General walls, high-traffic areas	Basic projects	Cabinets, trim, doors
Primer Needed	No	No	No	Yes
Washability	Excellent	Very Good	Good	Excellent
Mildew Resistance	High	High	Moderate	Moderate

Understanding Paint Finishes and Their Uses

Description of Paint Finishes

Flat: Smooth, with no shine. It is good for hiding wall flaws and is perfect for ceilings and low-traffic rooms.
Eggshell: Soft, low shine. Works well in living rooms and bedrooms where light cleaning is needed.
Pearl: Adds a bit of shine. It is ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways and children’s rooms.
Satin: Slightly shiny, durable, and easy to clean. Great for kitchens and bathrooms.
Semi-gloss: Bright shine. Perfect for trim, doors, and areas exposed to moisture, like bathrooms.
High gloss: Reflective, shiny finish. Best for accent pieces like front doors or special furniture.

Choosing the Right Finish

Appearance: Shiny finishes reflect more light, making rooms feel brighter. Flat and eggshell finishes help hide imperfections.
Cleanliness: Glossy finishes are easier to clean, making them great for kitchens and bathrooms. Matte finishes are harder to clean.
Durability: Glossy finishes resist wear and tear, ideal for high-use areas. Flat finishes wear out faster in high-traffic zones.

Tips for Choosing Based on Room Use and Lighting:

High-traffic areas: Use satin, pearl, or semi-gloss for easy cleaning.
Low-traffic or ceiling areas: Flat or eggshell finishes work well and hide imperfections.
Rooms with lots of light: High-gloss or semi-gloss can brighten the space and highlight architectural details.

Selecting the Appropriate Paint Base

Base 1: Works for light colors like whites and pastels.
Base 2 and 3: Best for medium-toned colors like blues and greens.
Base 4: Ideal for deep, rich colors such as dark reds or browns. It helps these colors look more vibrant.
The base you choose affects how the color looks and how many coats you need for full coverage.

Best Paint Choices for Specific Rooms

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms experience a lot of moisture. Choose paint that resists mold and mildew to keep your walls looking fresh.

These rooms also need paint that’s easy to clean because of grease splashes and water stains.

Recommended Finishes and Paint Types:

Semi-gloss or Pearl finishes: These finishes are durable, easy to clean, and resist moisture.
Aura Bath and Spa: Specifically designed for high-moisture areas, it resists steam and mildew.

Children’s Rooms and Hallways

Kids’ rooms and high-traffic areas require durable paint that can withstand frequent cleaning. Paints with low chemical content are also essential for children’s safety.

These finishes protect against dirt and marks, making them ideal for busy spaces.

Recommended Finishes and Paint Types:

Satin or Pearl finishes: These provide durability and are easy to clean.
Regal Select: Offers mildew resistance and durability, perfect for high-traffic areas.

Ceilings and Trims

Ceilings are best painted with a flat finish, which helps hide imperfections and reduce glare. Flat finishes also create a smooth, even look.

Trim areas like doors, windows, and baseboards, which are frequently touched, require a more durable finish.

Recommended Finishes and Paint Types:

Flat finish for ceilings: Ben Ceiling Paint covers well and hides roller marks.
Semi-gloss or Satin for trim: Advance Interior Alkyd Paint gives woodwork a smooth, tough finish that lasts for years.

Cost Analysis and Value Proposition

Price Breakdown

The price per gallon varies across Benjamin Moore’s paint lines.

Ben Interior Paint is the most affordable, costing around $45 per gallon and covering 350-400 square feet.

Regal Select is in the middle, at $55-$60 per gallon, and offers 375-425 square feet of coverage.

Aura Interior Paint, the premium option, costs about $85 per gallon but covers up to 450 square feet.

Advance Interior Alkyd Paint costs $65 per gallon and covers 400-450 square feet. The type of paint you choose can impact the overall cost.

Premium paints like Aura require fewer coats, saving time and materials compared to more affordable options that may need multiple layers for full coverage.

Value Over Time

While premium paints like Aura and Advance come at a higher upfront cost, they often provide long-term savings.

These paints are more durable and typically last 5-7 years before needing a new coat.

While cheaper paints are initially less expensive, they may require more coats and touch-ups over time, which can add up.

Higher-quality paints also stand up better to cleaning, meaning you won’t have to repaint as often.

In the long run, investing in premium paint can reduce the need for frequent touch-ups and keep your walls looking fresher for longer, offering better overall value.