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Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, Side by Side
We paint with both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore. Each makes several product lines at different levels. This guide lays out the main lines from the makers’ own data sheets, so you can compare numbers instead of ads.
Updated October 11, 2026
Read This First
The short version
- Both brands make good lines at several levels, and the line matters more than the brand name.
- Most interior lines from both makers list coverage of about 350 to 450 square feet per gallon.
- Benjamin Moore Advance needs 16 hours before a second coat, while most wall paints recoat in 1 to 4 hours.
- Each data sheet lists the binder, coverage, recoat time and temperature limits, so ask which line a bid uses.
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Direct Answer
Is Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore better?
Neither wins across the board, because each brand has budget, mid and top lines.
Compare lines, not logos
The product line is what you are buying. Both companies sell entry, middle and premium lines with different binders and film builds. A premium line from either will outlast an entry line from the other. When you compare bids, compare the named line and sheen, not just the brand.
Exterior
Exterior lines, from the data sheets
Exterior lines from both makers can go on at 35°F, and Aura lists a 100°F surface maximum.
Reading the exterior table
Coverage and film build tell you how the paint is meant to go on. A lower coverage number usually means a thicker coat. All of these lines list a 35°F minimum, and our guide to the best time to paint in Texas explains why heat is the bigger limit here.
| Line | Binder, per the maker | Coverage per gallon | Recoat | Minimum temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior | Acrylic | 250 to 300 sq ft | 4 hours at 45°F and up | 35°F |
| Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior | 100% acrylic | 350 to 400 sq ft | 4 hours at 45°F and up | 35°F |
| Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior | 100% acrylic | 250 to 350 sq ft (low lustre) | 4 hours | 35°F, maximum 100°F surface |
| Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior | 100% acrylic latex | 275 to 375 sq ft | 4 hours | 35°F |
Interior
Interior lines, from the data sheets
Interior lines list 350 to 450 square feet a gallon, low VOC, and a 50°F minimum.
Reading the interior table
Most interior lines look alike on paper. The differences show in recoat time, scrub resistance and how the sheen holds up. Benjamin Moore Advance and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel are the trim and cabinet paints, covered in our cabinet painting guide.
| Line | Binder, per the maker | Coverage per gallon | Recoat | VOC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior | Styrene acrylic | 350 to 400 sq ft | 4 hours | Under 50 g/L |
| Sherwin-Williams Duration Home | Styrene acrylic | 350 to 400 sq ft | 4 hours | Under 50 g/L |
| Sherwin-Williams ProClassic | Styrene acrylic | 350 to 400 sq ft | 4 hours | Under 50 g/L |
| Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel | Urethane modified alkyd | 350 to 400 sq ft | 4 hours | Under 50 g/L |
| Benjamin Moore Aura Interior | 100% acrylic | 350 to 400 sq ft | 1 hour | Under 50 g/L |
| Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior | 100% acrylic | 400 to 450 sq ft | 1 to 2 hours | Under 50 g/L |
| Benjamin Moore Scuff-X | Acrylic copolymer | 400 to 450 sq ft | 2 to 3 hours | Under 50 g/L |
| Benjamin Moore ben | Acrylic | 400 to 450 sq ft | 2 hours | Zero |
| Benjamin Moore Advance | Waterborne alkyd | 400 to 500 sq ft | 16 hours | 48.5 g/L |
Our Practice
How we choose a line for a job
Surface, sun, traffic and budget pick the line, and the bid names it in writing.
Matched to the job
The job picks the paint. Sun walls, wet rooms, cabinets and stucco each call for a different line, and budget sets the level. Every bid from our painting division names the product line and sheen in writing, so you can look up the same data sheets we used here.
Common Questions
Questions homeowners ask
Which paint brand is better, Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore?
Neither across the board. Both make entry, middle and premium lines, and the line and sheen matter more than the brand. We use both.
What is the best exterior paint for Texas?
A 100% acrylic or premium acrylic exterior line put on at the right film build, in the right weather. On fiber cement, James Hardie recommends 100% acrylic topcoats.
Why does Benjamin Moore Advance take so long between coats?
It is a waterborne alkyd made to level and harden like an oil paint. Its data sheet lists a 16 hour recoat time.
What does VOC mean on a paint can?
Volatile organic compounds, the solvents that evaporate as paint dries. The data sheets for the interior lines in our table list under 50 grams per liter, and Benjamin Moore ben lists zero.
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