Paint Selection Tips.
PAINTS & COLORS.
Paint Sheen/Finish
Brand. We typically buy paints at local Benjamin Moore stores. As per New York Times survey of painters, Benjamin Moore Regal Select paint is the best paint for color selection, coverage and durability.
If you prefer to use any other brand, we welcome that as well, but you’d be responsible for supplying a sufficient amount of paint in advance.
Paint Grade. One gallon of a Benjamin Moore paint can cost from $35 for UltraSpec500 grade to $65 for Regal Select to fancy Aura going for $95/gallon. For landlords, who may need to repaint their condo every year, we recommend using Benjamin Moore UltraSpec500 that costs about $35 per gallon. Most homeowners use Regal Select. Benjamin Moore also has their “greenest” Eco-Spec line at about $65 per gallon.
Paint for walls. Walls are typically painted in flat (no shine) or matte (a bit of shine) or eggshell (shiny). Flat paint hides wall imperfections well, while eggshell paint emphasizes them. Most of our customers choose flat or matte paint for the walls. Eggshell paint is recommended if you choose darker colors or in high-traffic/commercial areas.
Ceiling paint. We typically use regular white ceiling paint from Benjamin Moore, $45 per gallon. Lower cost options are available.
Bathroom paint. Benjamin Moore Bath & Spa paint comes in matte and claims to be moisture-resistant and mold-resistant. Costs $80 per gallon. The other choice is to use regular eggshell paint, $60 for Regal Select or $40 for UltraSpec500.
Paint for baseboards, trim & doors. We typically use Regal Select standard white semi-gloss.
Paint for kitchen cabinets. Our standard choice for the cabinets Benjamin Moore Advance paint, it is the most durable and self-leveling paint. Most cabinets are painted with semi gloss sheen, but also available in matte (not recommended) and high-gloss.
Choosing & Testing Paint Colors
Selecting paint colors can be very subjective (and difficult) process. Our customers are responsible for providing their ultimate choices at least 3 business days in advance, so we can order the paint mixed and delivered in time.
After you pick up a few color candidates, there are three ways to test and pick a winner:
Samplize - the best way to test colors. You can order several peel & stick samples delivered to you overnight! Unlike paint color chips that are considered a “close match,” their samples have two coats of the actual paint from the brand, providing you with 100% color accuracy. The peel & stick samples have the flexibility to adhere to any interior wall, including uneven or textured surfaces, and can be reapplied in various locations. Samplize uses two coats of the exact paint provided by the brand. For that reason, the color is exactly the same as the final painted result. That is the primary advantage over traditional paint swatches which are merely dyed to mimic the color. The last time we checked, the samples costed $5.95 each with $8.95 overnight delivery charge on top of your order.
You can pick up a few swatches/chips at a local Benjamin Moore store or any other paint store. The chips are free, but it's difficult to tell what a color is going to look like on your wall from a small paint chip.
Most manufacturers offer sample containers in quarts, pints or even smaller sizes, and they range prices from $3 to $8. They're a wise investment that will prevent you from wasting money on color that isn't right. And because colors can change dramatically under different lighting conditions, instead of rolling the sample onto the wall, roll it onto white tag-board. You'll be able to move the sample around and view it under all the different lighting conditions in your home.