Which Benjamin Moore paint for which job?
What we recommend at the paint desk, surface by surface.
The everyday repaint
Regal Select in matte or eggshell. Strong coverage, easy to touch up, and it hides roller marks.
Fingerprints and scuffs
Aura in matte washes clean without burnishing. For rental corridors and mudrooms, Scuff-X takes more abuse.
A sprayed or brushed enamel look
ADVANCE levels like oil, cures hard and can be brushed. Prime bare wood with Fresh Start first.
Steam and mildew
Aura Bath & Spa in matte, or Kitchen & Bath in satin if you want more sheen to wipe down.
Colour that holds up
Aura Exterior for colour retention. Regal Select MoorGard for a lower price on large areas.
Show the wood or hide it
Woodluxe: translucent shows the most grain, solid hides it. Clean and brighten first.
Interior wall paints, side by side.
The four interior wall lines people ask us to compare most.
| Aura | Regal Select | ben | Ultra Spec 500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Premium | Everyday premium | Value | Contractor |
| Hide & coverage | Best; often one coat | Very good | Good | Good, budget-minded |
| Washability | Colour Lock; scrubs clean | Good | Fair | Fair |
| Sheens | Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss | Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Pearl, Semi-Gloss | Matte, Eggshell, Satin Pearl, Semi-Gloss | Flat, Eggshell, Low Sheen, Pearl, Semi-Gloss |
| Self-priming | Yes on most surfaces | Yes on most surfaces | Recommend primer on bare surfaces | Use Ultra Spec primer |
| Dark, saturated colours | Best choice | Good | Limited | Limited |
| Best for | Colour-critical rooms, high traffic | Most rooms | Bedrooms, rentals | Repaints, property management |
Pick the sheen after the colour.
Same colour, different sheen, different room. Lower sheen hides more; higher sheen wipes cleaner.
| Flat / Matte | Hides wall imperfections and roller lap. Ceilings, bedrooms and living rooms. Aura matte is the exception that also washes well. |
|---|---|
| Eggshell | The default for most walls. A hint of light, easy to clean, forgiving on drywall. |
| Pearl / Satin | More durable and wipeable. Hallways, kids’ rooms, kitchens and baths. Shows more surface texture. |
| Semi-Gloss | Trim, doors, cabinets and windows. Reflects light and cleans easily; every flaw shows, so prep matters. |
| High Gloss | Front doors, furniture and statement trim. ADVANCE high gloss brushes out like lacquer. |