Guides
Advice from the counter
The questions we answer every day, written down — with the Florida specifics national brands leave out.
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Four decisions between you and a finished can
Every paint order comes down to the same four choices. Here's what each one means, and how to make it without second-guessing.
1. Select your color
Color first, always — the product line and sheen can be tinted to whatever you pick, but the color sets the mood of the room and it's the decision people regret most.
- Narrow by room and feeling in the color explorer, then shortlist three to five candidates in My Colors.
- Check LRV: under 25 reads deep and dramatic, 55-75 is a comfortable mid-tone, above 82 behaves like a white.
- In our light, pale colors wash out and cool grays turn blue by afternoon — go one step deeper and a half-step warmer than the chip suggests.
- Buy a sample of your top two. Paint a 2x2 board (not the wall) and move it around the room at 9am, 2pm and after dark.
2. Select the Benjamin Moore product line
The line determines how the paint applies, how well it hides, and how long it holds up. Match it to the surface and the traffic, not to the price tag alone.
- Aura — the top tier. Best color depth and hide, often one fewer coat, and the right call for deep or saturated colors.
- Regal Select — the everyday premium interior. Great washability for living spaces, bedrooms and hallways.
- ben — friendly budget interior for low-traffic rooms and quick refreshes.
- Advance / Scuff-X — waterborne alkyd for cabinets, trim and doors; Scuff-X for high-abuse walls in rentals and offices.
- Aura Exterior / Element Guard — built for sun, salt air and driving rain on stucco, siding and shutters.
- Ultra Spec — the contractor workhorse for large-volume repaints.
3. Select the sheen
Sheen is a durability dial. More sheen cleans better and resists moisture; less sheen hides wall imperfections and looks softer.
- Ceilings — Flat.
- Bedrooms and living rooms — Matte or Eggshell.
- Hallways, stairs and kids' rooms — Eggshell or Pearl.
- Kitchens and baths — Pearl or Satin, or a moisture-rated matte.
- Trim, doors and cabinets — Satin to Semi-Gloss.
- Exterior stucco — Flat or Low Lustre; Soft Gloss on doors and shutters.
4. Select your quantities
One gallon covers roughly 350-400 sq ft per coat on a smooth surface. Textured stucco, raw drywall and dramatic color changes all drink more.
- Measure wall length x ceiling height for each wall, add them up, then subtract about 20 sq ft per door and 15 per window.
- Plan on two coats. Going lighter over a dark color, or covering bare drywall, usually means primer plus two.
- Buy the whole job at once so every can comes from the same tint run — mixing batches mid-wall can show.
- Five-gallon buckets beat four separate gallons on price and consistency for anything over about 1,500 sq ft.
- Add sundries: quality roller covers, a 2.5-inch angled sash brush, tape, plastic and a drop cloth.
Not sure at any step?
Call (561) 495-8900 or stop by the counter in Delray Beach or Lake Worth Beach. Bring a photo of the room, a fabric or tile sample, and your square footage — we can usually settle all four decisions in about ten minutes.
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Reference
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All seven Benjamin Moore sheen levels side by side — gloss, washability, and where each belongs.
Tool
Sheen finder
Answer four questions about your surface and room and we'll name the finish to buy.
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