Painters: Benjamin Moore AURA paint, worth it?

[ChristyMarie]

I think this is the right place to put this.

I'm about to head out to buy more paint and so many people have been telling me that Aura is THE paint to buy so I was going to buy a gallon for my bathroom to test it out and see if it works better than the Behr I love.

I just checked it out and it is $60 a gallon!!!!!!!!!!! *faint*

Behr primer/paint in one is $32.

Anyone ever use it? I can't believe it is worth double the cost...????

Would love opinions.

[karne]

I think that there are some good things about Aura paint, and we were satisfied when we used it. However, I am equally fine with the Sherwin williams washable paint we've used in other rooms, and frankly, there was a paint I bought at W'mart-sort of low end-that has actually held up the best.

[MisaGoat]

I haven't used Benjamin Moore Aura but I used their Natura line and was really happy with it. I do like it better than Behr, but I think Behr was also fine.

I doubt you'll need a whole gallon for a bathroom though. I used one gallon on my son's room which is probably 10x20.

[redvlagrl]

I haven't used the BM one but I did buy the top of the line Sherwin Williams one and love it. I also like that most of their products are low VOC, unlike BM.

[p.s]

For that amount of money, I would go with Farrow and Ball. I love their paints. Deeply pigmented, even the light shades. Amazing depth, full of character.

We do use Benjamin Moore, various kinds, but buy from the mistakes table at our local dealer. When I want a specific color, I go with Farrow & Ball and have not yet been disappointed (two homes full).

[ChristyMarie]

Thanks for the opinions.

I ended up just buying Behr again. I needed 3 gallons that day and I have a few rooms to go. And, really, I've been very happy with the Behr coverage and no one I've talked to has said the Aura is worth it.

My bathroom will take a gallon but it isn't like you can buy a half. It is usually either a quart or a gallon, isn't it?

[BMG580]

We just finished painting our kitchen with Aura eggshell and our dining room with the Aura matte. Aside from the zero odor I would not spend the money again for the Aura paint line. I have used the Natura as well and had slightly more fumes than the Aura but not bad and it is a bit less expensive.

The Aura requires the person painting to be very quick and even. It dries so quickly that leaving roller lines on the wall is very easy to do. You have to edge the entire room first, let it dry, then go back and do a first coat, let it dry and then do a second coat. The color is pretty and intense however my mother used the Ben line for her house and I cannot tell any difference and it was far less expensive.

[Ola_]

We used the Aura for our kitchen and dining room and I agree with the person who said that you won't need a gallon for a kitchen. We used only a gallon for both the kitchen and dining room and did two coats.

I've read comments about how it's so difficult to work with, etc. but personally, this was the first time I had ever painted and did not encounter any issues. It looks fabulous on the walls and I can tell you it's not because of my skill level.

Another thing for us is that we're not the type of people to want to repaint walls frequently - once we've chosen a colour it will likely to stay that way for a while. So a more durable paint that is easy to scrub, etc. is worth it to us.

[Eclectica]

We used the BM Natura line for our entire house and loved it. I was pregnant during the renovating and we were committed to using a zero VOC paint. BM is really thick paint and it goes on so much lighter than it winds up being which is confusing at first. If VOCs and off-gassing isn't a concern for you then there is nothing wrong with Behr or other entry level brands, they'll cover just fine. I've used them plenty in past homes and Behr is good for the price.

[ChristyMarie]

Originally Posted by MisaGoat

I doubt you'll need a whole gallon for a bathroom though. I used one gallon on my son's room which is probably 10x20.

Originally Posted by Ola_

We used the Aura for our kitchen and dining room and I agree with the person who said that you won't need a gallon for a kitchen. We used only a gallon for both the kitchen and dining room and did two coats.

My rooms are probably a little larger than average. I think my dining room took 3 gallons and I only had to do one coat.

Originally Posted by BMG580

We just finished painting our kitchen with Aura eggshell and our dining room with the Aura matte. Aside from the zero odor I would not spend the money again for the Aura paint line. I have used the Natura as well and had slightly more fumes than the Aura but not bad and it is a bit less expensive.

The Aura requires the person painting to be very quick and even. It dries so quickly that leaving roller lines on the wall is very easy to do. You have to edge the entire room first, let it dry, then go back and do a first coat, let it dry and then do a second coat. The color is pretty and intense however my mother used the Ben line for her house and I cannot tell any difference and it was far less expensive.

Thanks for this review! It helps me not have buyers remorse for sticking with the Behr.

I finished my bathroom on Sunday and it really looks fabulous! I cannot believe how much a coat of paint can change a room.

Starting the kitchen tomorrow. Which should take, oh, forever.

[Ornery]

My husband is a painter and he says NO. It is not worth it.

[BMG580]

Originally Posted by Ola_

We used the Aura for our kitchen and dining room and I agree with the person who said that you won't need a gallon for a kitchen. We used only a gallon for both the kitchen and dining room and did two coats.

It took 1 gallon for two coats in our dining room and half the wall is molding! It took 2 gallons for the kitchen for 2 coats. I used intense colors so maybe we just really needed to get the paint on there for good coverage or something? I have no idea how you got away with using so little paint.