How the lines compare
Comparing brands is only useful at similar tiers. A premium line from one brand will outperform an economy line from the other every time.
- Premium interior: Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select vs. Sherwin-Williams Emerald and Duration Home
- Premium exterior: Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior and Regal Select Exterior vs. Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior and Duration
- Trim and cabinet enamels: Benjamin Moore Advance and Command vs. Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane and ProClassic
What it depends on
- Color: Benjamin Moore's palette is favored by many designers working on New England homes; Sherwin-Williams offers strong neutrals and excellent color tools
- Application feel: Aura has a short open time that rewards experience; Regal Select and Duration are more forgiving
- Availability: local store support and stocking of specific bases can affect a project schedule
- Cost: pricing varies by line and by contractor account, and the difference between tiers is usually larger than the difference between brands
Fairfield County considerations
Designer specifications in Greenwich, New Canaan and Westport frequently call out Benjamin Moore colors, and matching a specified color in a different brand's base can shift the result subtly under the strong natural light common in these homes.
For coastal exteriors we prioritize the premium exterior lines from either brand, because color retention and film flexibility are where the money actually shows up.
Next step
We're comfortable working in either brand and will tell you honestly when a less expensive line is fully adequate for the surface in question.
Related questions
- Is Farrow & Ball worth it?
- Farrow & Ball's value is in color depth and finish character rather than durability. In rooms where the color is the point — libraries, dining rooms, front doors — many homeowners find it worth the cost. For high-traffic areas and trim, a premium acrylic or alkyd enamel is more practical.
- Can colors be matched across brands?
- Approximately, yes, but a match is never exact because base formulations and colorants differ. On a designer-specified color we recommend staying in the specified brand.