Sherwin Williams vs Benjamin Moore Exterior Paint Comparison

Are you having the exterior of your home repainted and are unsure of what paint product is best for long-term and durable paint? Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are both premiere options for exterior acrylic paint, but they both have a range of low to high-quality products.

It's important to compare paint products to find the best one for you. With so many products on the market and the condition of your home on the line, you don't want to make the mistake of choosing the wrong one for your exterior project.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we have been painting exteriors since 1996 in Omaha, NE. Our use of the best exterior quality paint products and our extensive prep work process ensures results will stand the test of time. 

In this article, we will compare the bulk of Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin Williams's exterior paint products. By reading this, you can determine exactly which exterior paint would be best for your project.

Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin Williams Exterior Paint Quality Comparison

When it comes to quality, both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer low to high-quality exterior paints. Both brands are known for their excellent coverage, durability, and finish. However, Benjamin Moore is often recognized as having a slightly better quality than Sherwin Williams. 

Benjamin Moore paints tend to have better coverage with fewer coats needed to achieve a desired finish. Benjamin Moore also has almost 2,000 more color options than Sherwin Williams. 

Exterior Paint Terms

To fully compare Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin Williams, it's important to understand all the aspects of any exterior paint product.

Exterior Paint Durability

Durable exterior paint will prove itself over time by maintaining its color and resisting damage. Paint durability proves that you are getting your money's worth as the product lasts as long as possible.

As exterior paint faces fierce weather conditions, it's important that you are confident your paint will hold up year-round. 

Washability of Exterior Paint

Exterior paint must be easy to clean. Nobody wants stains that won’t budge or color the rubs off with the grime. With outdoor dirt, plants, and messy weather conditions, the exterior of your home is bound to need regular maintenance.

Power washing the exterior of your home may be challenging enough, so having dirt and grime wash seamlessly right away will save you a lot of time. High-quality durable paint will be easy to clean which provides you with ease while doing a deep cleaning or a quick spot clean. 

Film Thickness of Exterior Paint

Film thickness is one of the most important factors of exterior paint. It is important for interior paint, but the greater the mil thickness for exterior paint, the more durable the paint will be.

A great film thickness allows you to apply the product quicker rather than doing many coats. A durable layer helps fight against outside forces that can damage the paint. It also helps maintain the color and resist fading from the sunlight or dirt and grime that may find its way into your house. 

The Volume of Solids in Exterior Paint

Solids are one of the main components of paint. After the paint is applied and begins to dry, the solvent evaporates and leaves behind the pigment and resin, which becomes the solids. You want to look for a range of 35-50% in the number of solids in your paint. 

The higher that number, the more durable the paint will be, the thicker it applies, and the more coverage it gives. The lower percentage of these solids in paint does the opposite, it is thin, has poor hiding, and leaves you with low durability. 

Mildew Resistance in Exterior Paint

Mildew resistance is an additive in paint. High humidity can cause mildew or mold on paint. With this additive, paints can fight against bacteria growth and protect you from a messy situation.

This is crucial outdoors as you have environmental factors that could impact your paint any day. The heat from indoors can seep outside as a factor as well. 

Primer Included in Exterior Paint Products

A primer included in the paint tells you that the paint can adhere well to surfaces. The number one job of a primer is to adhere to the original wall or old paint easily while allowing for another coat to be applied smoothly.  Primer also helps the color maintain its true shade longer. 

Though surfaces should be properly prepped before painting, exterior paint with a primer included will better adhere to siding and wood. 

Exterior Paint Cost

The cost per gallon is a good telling sign of how durable the paint is. As you can see, the higher the number of solids, the more durable, great clean-ability, and great coverage will result in a higher price. 

Remember while comparing costs in terms of paint, you get what you pay for. 

Benjamin Moore tends to be slightly more expensive than Sherwin Williams, with their premium paints costing significantly more. However, Benjamin Moore's paints tend to last longer and require fewer coats, which can save you money in the long run.

Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin Williams Exterior Paint Color Selection Comparison 

It is so important that you have confidence in the color you choose for the exterior of your home. After all, it will be the very first thing that visitors see. 

Benjamin Moore has an edge in terms of color selection, offering over 3,500 options. Their color options tend to be more consistent and have better color accuracy.

Sherwin-Williams has about 1,700 color options available.

It's important to note that any paint color can be matched from one company to another. But, as you choose a color, you may look at Benjamin Moore for more color options. Or, you can look at Sherwin-Williams for a smaller range to get a common color or general idea. 

Technology Comparison of Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams Exterior Paint

Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have exclusive technology, usually found in their higher-quality products. Both of the brands have developed stain-resistant technology that allows the paint to be washed without any color rubbing off.

Benjamin Moore's groundbreaking technology, Gennex Color Technology, and Color Lock Technology, focuses on maintaining a deep and accurate pigment. The Gennex Color technology eliminates the chemicals that cause dark colors to weaken paint. Color Lock, permanently binds the pigments to the resin, resulting in fade resistance. 

Across its product line, Sherwin-Williams has developed several technology features.

1. Ceramic Microspheres - These are tiny ceramic beads that are added to the paint formula to improve durability, resist cracking, and improve insulation.
   
   
2. Proprietary Resin Technology - This technology provides better adhesion and resistance to stains, making the paint more durable and long-lasting.
   
   
3. Anti-Microbial Technology - This technology helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew on painted surfaces, making it ideal for use in humid environments.
   
   
4. Self-Cleaning Technology - Some Sherwin-Williams paints feature a self-cleaning technology that helps keep painted surfaces clean by reducing the buildup of dirt and grime. Emerald, Sherwin William's highest quality paint, has a special self-cleaning edition of the product. 

Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin Williams Exterior Paint Environmentally Friendly Comparison

Both brands have taken strides to include environmentally safe options for their paint. Each brand carries an exclusion Eco option that is not mentioned above. 

Benjamin Moore takes the cake for having the most environmentally friendly paint options as almost all of their products have zero VOCs. 

Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin Williams Exterior Paint Customer Satisfaction Comparison

Finally, regarding customer satisfaction, both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have high ratings. Benjamin Moore is known for its exceptional customer service, which includes in-store consultations and color-matching services. 

Sherwin-Williams, on the other hand, offers a loyalty program that allows customers to earn rewards for their purchases. Both brands also offer online reviews and ratings, which can provide valuable insight into the quality and performance of their paints.

Clean-ability in particular is an important feature in exterior paint that can get overlooked, but helps when you have an unexpected stain. The higher-quality paints from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams will be easiest to clean, providing better customer satisfaction. 

Which is Right for You: Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore?

In conclusion, both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer high-quality exterior paints, but each has its unique strengths. Benjamin Moore is known for its superior quality and color accuracy, while Sherwin Williams is often more affordable. 

When choosing between the two brands, it's important to consider your specific needs, including your budget, color preferences, and desired finish. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that meets your needs and expectations for your home. 

We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision and feel confident in your choice of paint brand for your next exterior painting project whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional painting contractor. 

If you are looking to hire in Omaha, NE, consider Brush & Roll Painting. Our work involves detailed prep and using our skills and experience with high-quality products. Schedule a free quote with us now. 

Next, check out our Guide To Exterior Painting. Beginning this project, you may feel overwhelmed, so get ahead of the game and find out all you need to know and what to expect.

To stay confident through each phase of your exterior painting project, download your checklist.