Benjamin Moore Flat Paint Colors
February 25, 2012
Benjamin Moore exhausted Behr by a adenoids as the top-performing autogenous acrylic in two of three above categories in Consumer Reports' contempo tests. But back it came to value, Behr remained several lengths ahead.
Benjamin Moore's Aura Satin and new Regal Select Semi-Gloss were front-runners in allotment because CR's tests showed that they're bigger than beforehand articles at advancement their appearance afterwards cleaning. Both additionally leave a smoother accomplishment and angle up bigger to scrubbing. But at $50 per gallon, alike the less-pricey Regal Select costs about $20 added than the Behr paints, which performed about as well.
Paints that crave beneath assignment and accept beneath toxins are a benefit this year, as are added top choices for beneath than $30 per gallon. But CR's tests of about 60 paints showed that some bargain curve aisle the backpack in performance. Here are the details:
>> Low VOCs become the norm. Volatile amoebic compounds (VOCs) are affiliated to air abuse and respiratory problems. All of CR's top paints — and all but three in CR's Ratings — affirmation to accommodated alike the toughest Southern California banned of 50 grams per liter or less. Abounding of the best paints that CR activated accept zero-VOC claims as manufacturers get bigger at authoritative greener paints that accomplish well. Benjamin Moore, Olympic paints from Lowe's and Valspar additionally specify aught VOCs for the tints acclimated in their paints; Behr offers low-VOC colorants.
>> Added paints save you some hassle. The adeptness to adumbrate the old accomplishment with one covering continues to top shoppers' ambition lists, which is why CR weighs this aspect best heavily in its tests. Eleven of its top 24 picks are advised to go on over old finishes or alike bald copse and wall-board after the accepted album coat.
>> Some paints accept hidden costs. You can buy a gallon of Color Place at Walmart for as little as $8. But so-so after-effects put all three versions of the Glidden-made paints at the basal of CR's Ratings. And because abounding bargain paints crave added coats for hiding, you ability accept to buy added than you bargained for. Two bigger bargain bets: Glidden's Premium Flat, $19 per gallon, and Satin, $23 per gallon, additional the added CR Best Buys.
>> For Satin and Eggshell, CR Best Buys are Kilz Casual Colors Satin ($27 per gallon), Glidden Premium Satin (Home Depot, $25 per gallon) and Behr Premium Additional Satin Enamel (Home Depot, $26 per gallon). For Flat and Matte, the Best Buys are Behr Premium Additional Flat Enamel (Home Depot, $25 per gallon) and Glidden Premium Flat (Home Depot, $20 per gallon). Semigloss CR Best Buys accommodate Royal Interiors by ACE Semi-Gloss ($28 per gallon) and Glidden Brilliance Semi-Gloss (Walmart, $27 per gallon).
Editors, Consumer Reports
