Is Farrow and Ball worth it?

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, it’s worth it. The colors are so rich and the dupes don’t get it exactly right, IMO. If you can’t afford it then you have to settle for BM and SW like the rest of us

[Anonymous]

No, not worth it. I'm not sure what you are trying to compare. SW and BM have at least 6 different lines of paint. They all have different pros and cons. Lots of marketing in the paint industry, but most interior paint isn't THAT different in terms of performance. BM scuff-x is about as good as it gets in terms of a scrubable paint. In fact, it is better than their higher priced paint, Aura.

[Anonymous]

There are several dimensions to this topic. I will try to address each aspect separately.

I agree with an earlier post noting that most paint manufacturers have several lines of paint, with different properties, quality, and pricing. So saying either BM or SW - without specifying WHICH paint - is ambiguous and imprecise. As an example, we used BM Regal Select on our walls (and are happy with the result) while another post mentioned BM Aura. The same BM colors are available in either paint. Aura is more expensive than Regal Select.

In my experience, color matching with a color match device is “close enough”, but it might be 95%-99% identical to a vendor’s color mixture. Your mileage might vary. IMHO, this is personal opinion and personal preference.

Paint can shift color slightly after it is on the painted surface; this is especially common with any exterior surface (e.g., due to sun and weather effects). For interior, if we know the original mfg, paint, sheen, and color, then (if we touch-up or repaint) we use with the same combination as the original. Others might choose differently.

For me, I would not pay even $1 more for the F&B paint. A friend has F-B and it has not shown itself to be any better (in any way) than our BM Regal Select, despite the MUCH higher cost.

I MIGHT use the F-B color swatch with a color match device to get that color in BM Regal Select paint, if I really wanted that color. So far, we find that BM has so many standard colors that we can find the color we want without using any F&B color swatches. I own a full set of BM and a full set of SW color swatches, which I find have been worth the modest cost to buy.

I DO pay more for BM Regal Select than it would cost for Behr at HD or the (lower end) SW at Lowes. In my experience, the BM Regal Select wears better than the low-cost paint options, so it is worth the extra cost. Higher end SW paint likely wears similarly to BM Regal Select.

House flippers (or someone about to sell their house) often pick the lowest cost paint, since wearability is not a big concern and cost is a concern.

Your mileage might vary, but I hope this is useful for some...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are several dimensions to this topic. I will try to address each aspect separately.

I agree with an earlier post noting that most paint manufacturers have several lines of paint, with different properties, quality, and pricing. So saying either BM or SW - without specifying WHICH paint - is ambiguous and imprecise. As an example, we used BM Regal Select on our walls (and are happy with the result) while another post mentioned BM Aura. The same BM colors are available in either paint. Aura is more expensive than Regal Select.

In my experience, color matching with a color match device is “close enough”, but it might be 95%-99% identical to a vendor’s color mixture. Your mileage might vary. IMHO, this is personal opinion and personal preference.

Paint can shift color slightly after it is on the painted surface; this is especially common with any exterior surface (e.g., due to sun and weather effects). For interior, if we know the original mfg, paint, sheen, and color, then (if we touch-up or repaint) we use with the same combination as the original. Others might choose differently.

For me, I would not pay even $1 more for the F&B paint. A friend has F-B and it has not shown itself to be any better (in any way) than our BM Regal Select, despite the MUCH higher cost.

I MIGHT use the F-B color swatch with a color match device to get that color in BM Regal Select paint, if I really wanted that color. So far, we find that BM has so many standard colors that we can find the color we want without using any F&B color swatches. I own a full set of BM and a full set of SW color swatches, which I find have been worth the modest cost to buy.

I DO pay more for BM Regal Select than it would cost for Behr at HD or the (lower end) SW at Lowes. In my experience, the BM Regal Select wears better than the low-cost paint options, so it is worth the extra cost. Higher end SW paint likely wears similarly to BM Regal Select.

House flippers (or someone about to sell their house) often pick the lowest cost paint, since wearability is not a big concern and cost is a concern.

Your mileage might vary, but I hope this is useful for some...

+1 to all you wrote!

[Anonymous]

Our 700K house was only painted in F+B when we purchased it. Had no idea what it was at the time. Went to buy a can for some touch ups and couldn't believe the price.

We spent years slowly repainting every room with SW, BM and other easier to find brands from Lowes/Home Depot. The quality of the paint looks the same to me.

[Anonymous]

So what farrow and ball does for their colors is rely on oversaturation of pigment to get certain colors. If you are looking for a darker color and are in love with a farrow and ball, get a swatch and test it with BMs Aura line. Their color stories is similar to the F&B process. And expensive too.

We recently purchased a home and I have fallen in love with scuffX matte. It is incredibly flat. Like amazing flat with the slightest sheen. And it really doesn’t show scuffs.

The problem is that it takes a lot of coats. But it really doesn’t scuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are several dimensions to this topic. I will try to address each aspect separately.

I agree with an earlier post noting that most paint manufacturers have several lines of paint, with different properties, quality, and pricing. So saying either BM or SW - without specifying WHICH paint - is ambiguous and imprecise. As an example, we used BM Regal Select on our walls (and are happy with the result) while another post mentioned BM Aura. The same BM colors are available in either paint. Aura is more expensive than Regal Select.

In my experience, color matching with a color match device is “close enough”, but it might be 95%-99% identical to a vendor’s color mixture. Your mileage might vary. IMHO, this is personal opinion and personal preference.

Paint can shift color slightly after it is on the painted surface; this is especially common with any exterior surface (e.g., due to sun and weather effects). For interior, if we know the original mfg, paint, sheen, and color, then (if we touch-up or repaint) we use with the same combination as the original. Others might choose differently.

For me, I would not pay even $1 more for the F&B paint. A friend has F-B and it has not shown itself to be any better (in any way) than our BM Regal Select, despite the MUCH higher cost.

I MIGHT use the F-B color swatch with a color match device to get that color in BM Regal Select paint, if I really wanted that color. So far, we find that BM has so many standard colors that we can find the color we want without using any F&B color swatches. I own a full set of BM and a full set of SW color swatches, which I find have been worth the modest cost to buy.

I DO pay more for BM Regal Select than it would cost for Behr at HD or the (lower end) SW at Lowes. In my experience, the BM Regal Select wears better than the low-cost paint options, so it is worth the extra cost. Higher end SW paint likely wears similarly to BM Regal Select.

House flippers (or someone about to sell their house) often pick the lowest cost paint, since wearability is not a big concern and cost is a concern.

Your mileage might vary, but I hope this is useful for some...

OP here. Thanks this is really helpful! I’ve never owned before (we’re hoping to buy this spring) so I’ve never had the freedom to paint. Can you tell me more about the different lines? I know about painting samples on foam core and moving them around the room in different light, but would differences in the line (vs the finish) show up on that? How do I pick?

[Anonymous]

It is not likely one would notice a difference in paint durability from even a large paint sample used to select color. Durability includes things like ease of cleaning a dirty spot without removing the paint and thins such as resistance to chipping.

If not an experienced painter, then the ease of paint spreading or the "thickness" of the paint also likely would not be noticeable. Lower cost paint very often needs an extra coat of paint to get results similar to one coat of better paint.

Those paint samples are very useful for color selection, and maybe for sheen selection, but not much else.

If looking for specific suggestions for ordinary interior walls and trim on my house, then I would use BM Regal Select. If one prefers using SW over BM, for any reason, then for interior likely SW Emerald paint is similar. We use "eggshell" sheen on walls, either semi-gloss or satin for crown & trim and for bathrooms.

Bathrooms and kitchens (maybe also mudrooms or laundry rooms) should use a paint specifically designed for moist environments, such as BM Kitchen & Bath Paint. Also, we use special-purpose flat Ceiling Paint in white on all our ceilings to hide imperfections in the ceiling drywall.

If going to a lighter shade of paint, plan on a primer coat in white to get good results. Primer is always good, but not always strictly necessary IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Regal Select is good paint but if I’m DYI-ing, I love Natura. It doesn’t smell at all.

[Anonymous]

We preferred Ecos but sometimes colormatch it to F&B

[Anonymous]

The number one consideration is: Are you painting or are you using professional painters? If I am painting a room I use Benjamin Moore Regal Select or Aura. I use paintbrushes and rollers. If I am paying someone to paint I have a discussion on what paint they usually use ( they often get a store discount at places like SW).

Also professionals use sprayers which waste a boatload of paint in overspray. No way I am paying FB prices or BM Aura prices if painters are going to primarily spray.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several dimensions to this topic. I will try to address each aspect separately.

I agree with an earlier post noting that most paint manufacturers have several lines of paint, with different properties, quality, and pricing. So saying either BM or SW - without specifying WHICH paint - is ambiguous and imprecise. As an example, we used BM Regal Select on our walls (and are happy with the result) while another post mentioned BM Aura. The same BM colors are available in either paint. Aura is more expensive than Regal Select.

In my experience, color matching with a color match device is “close enough”, but it might be 95%-99% identical to a vendor’s color mixture. Your mileage might vary. IMHO, this is personal opinion and personal preference.

Paint can shift color slightly after it is on the painted surface; this is especially common with any exterior surface (e.g., due to sun and weather effects). For interior, if we know the original mfg, paint, sheen, and color, then (if we touch-up or repaint) we use with the same combination as the original. Others might choose differently.

For me, I would not pay even $1 more for the F&B paint. A friend has F-B and it has not shown itself to be any better (in any way) than our BM Regal Select, despite the MUCH higher cost.

I MIGHT use the F-B color swatch with a color match device to get that color in BM Regal Select paint, if I really wanted that color. So far, we find that BM has so many standard colors that we can find the color we want without using any F&B color swatches. I own a full set of BM and a full set of SW color swatches, which I find have been worth the modest cost to buy.

I DO pay more for BM Regal Select than it would cost for Behr at HD or the (lower end) SW at Lowes. In my experience, the BM Regal Select wears better than the low-cost paint options, so it is worth the extra cost. Higher end SW paint likely wears similarly to BM Regal Select.

House flippers (or someone about to sell their house) often pick the lowest cost paint, since wearability is not a big concern and cost is a concern.

Your mileage might vary, but I hope this is useful for some...

OP here. Thanks this is really helpful! I’ve never owned before (we’re hoping to buy this spring) so I’ve never had the freedom to paint. Can you tell me more about the different lines? I know about painting samples on foam core and moving them around the room in different light, but would differences in the line (vs the finish) show up on that? How do I pick?

I'm not the previous poster. Are you planning on doing the painting yourself? If you are planning on hiring a contractor, I would go with the paint that they normally use. Make sure the contract specifies 2 coats.

If you are painting yourself, it's more about skill than the product you select (assuming u don't buy really crappy paint). Picking the correct sheen is really important, but just be aware that most samples usually come in 1 sheen, I think eggshell? As a pp mentioned, BM Regal Select is a really good all-around paint. I have been using the Scuff-X in rentals for the last couple years and it really is a game changer in terms of maintenance/re-paints. Just be aware that their sheen is off a bit. For example, the matte has the sheen of an eggshell.