Trying to figure out which are the best exterior and interior paints to use for your home? Paint Track has you covered. Here is a list of some of the best exterior and interior paints Benjamin Moore has to offer, what sheen/gloss to pick, and where to use them.
It can be overwhelming going into a paint store and not knowing which products to choose and what sheen to get your paint in. Paint Track has been painting homes in the greater area of Westchester for over 15 years. Along the way, we have found the best products that will give our clients the best value without diminishing quality. In this post, we will go over the basics of paint sheen/gloss and products we use often.
Paint Sheen (or Gloss): Pros and Cons
Before we get into paints, let’s talk about sheen. Sheen is important because it gives you glossiness in your paints. You usually have the option of Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-gloss, and Gloss. The further you go from Flat and Matte, the more gloss is added to the paint. High gloss paints have been said to resist moisture better than paints with less sheen. However, that is not necessarily true with all paints. Flat and Matte paints are easier to touch up down the line if your wall ever has a scuff. On the other hand, glossier paints like Eggshell require the entire wall to be repainted as the touch-up area will be more noticeable. Paints with higher sheen/gloss also show imperfections much easier. Therefore, if using higher sheen paints the substrate needs to be flawless and perfectly smooth in order to achieve a fine finish. When choosing a sheen keep all of these factors in mind and choose what’s right for you!
Interior Paint
When it comes to interior paint, Benjamin Moore has a ton of options. At Paint Track we often use and recommend using Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Paint for your walls. Regal Select has a stain-release technology that makes it easier to clean and is mildew resistant. It has excellent hide and coverage for a smooth finish and is easy to apply. It is 100% acrylic and has zero VOC so there are no harmful off-gassing and smells that will be in the air. VOC stands for “volatile organic compound”, meaning the smelly compounds you usually smell in paints. The Ben Moore Regal Select paint has none. This is beneficial for anyone who has any sensitivity to strong scents or has migraines often. Note that anytime you add a tint to paint it contains a small amount of VOC, but any minor scent would disappear quickly.
Aura Interior paint is also an option, but it’s more difficult to work with and less forgiving when rolling. Aura is an excellent choice for painting trim and architectural woodwork! That’s the paint we use for all the doors, windows, trim, and woodwork on our interior and exterior projects.
Bathroom Paint
Aura Bath and Spa is our go-to paint when painting bathrooms and kitchens. Aura Bath and Spa comes in a matte sheen and is ideal for high humidity areas. It is also a paint that is resistant to mildew and has zero VOC. It has an extreme hide, so you will get great coverage with this paint especially with darker colors. The best part is that it will stand up to repeated washing with no color rub-off. Paint store staff usually recommend a paint with a sheen in a bathroom, but with Aura Bath and Spa that is not the case! You can still have your matte paint that is easy to touch up but can withstand humidity.
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Matte Aura Bath and Spa -
Matte Aura Bath and Spa
Exterior Paint
When it comes to Benjamin Moore products, Arborcoat solid is always reliable water-based exterior paint. It is one of our go-to paints when painting decks, porches, and even on sidings! We absolutely love this product. Arborcoat is breathable paint, therefore it allows some moisture to escape. As a result, there is less peeling because the moisture is not trapped behind the wood on your home. Arborcoat enhances and protects the wood while allowing the texture to show through. It provides superior UV protection and resists blistering, peeling, stains, and scuffs. It also provides a mildew-resistant and is self-priming (in most situations). Arborcoat Solid Stain has excellent touch-up and re-coat properties. Like every paint that is exposed to the elements (especially on horizontal surfaces), Arborcoat will need touch-ups every few years depending on how much exposure to elements it has.
We love using Aura Exterior when painting the trim of our clients’ homes. It comes in flat, low luster, satin, and semi-gloss sheens. It’s a strong and durable paint that could withstand even the harshest weather conditions. The high build formula provides extreme hide and coverage for fewer coats and is fast drying for quick re-coat times. Aura Exterior paint has innovative technology that allows for richer colors and superior fade resistance as well as superior adhesion. Like Aborcoat, it provides a mildew-resistant coating and is self-priming in most situations.
Best Exterior & Interior Paints… Time to Choose Yours
This list of Benjamin Moore paints is just some of the many products we use and love. There are hundreds of paints manufacturers, sheens, and colors to choose from and we know it is overwhelming. That is why Paint Track is here to help you choose the best exterior and interior paints. We are always happy to educate our customers on all the products we use and why we use certain products for some of our projects and not for others. We hope to hear from you soon!
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