What is the purpose of Emerald Flat?
You’re giving an estimate, and the customer asks: “Which paint do you prefer Emerald or Aura?”
Customers often ask us questions about paint quality, and we give our best answer, but deep down inside, we don’t know.
Whether you are a home-owner or a customer, you ask the person behind the paint counter for their opinion on the best paint and take their recommendation.
Unfortunately, the person behind the counter may have little or no experience with the paint and probably have yet to compare it to similar-quality paints from competitors.
Even painting contractors, such as myself, can habitually use a particular paint and not know how it compares.
Yes, I should have compared two paints with the same sheen, but the customer, me, doesn’t like the chalky feel and look of a flat paint.
Workability - Emerlad or Aura?
Whether you are painting trim or walls the speed and ease of spreading paint matters. Paint that glides increases productivity.
Emerald flat paint glides amazingly easily. This was no surprise; both Emerald Semi-gloss and Emerald Gloss also had great workability.
Test: dip the brush in about 1/2 inch and wipe one side. See how far a brush stroke is
Emerald Flat workability
With one brush dip, I could easily cut in about 4′ on the corner of a wall.
Workability is excellent!
Ben Moore Aura Matte
With one brush dip, I could cut in about 3′ on the corner of a wall.
Workability is below average.
Washability Emerald or Aura
We test the washability of each paint by applying:
catsup
mustard
coffee
red wine
pencil
Each surface was cleaned with a sponge and dish soap.
Misc. Issues
Emerald dark base colors are prone to flashing.
Coverage - Emerlad or Aura?
Aura Matte Coverage
Emerald is a good covering paint. When changing colors from one off-white to another, it covered 100%. Very few paints can cover a different color in one coat. However, Emerald was developed to cover dark colors better than Duration, and I can’t say that it does.
As you can see in the photo, after two coats, you can still see a blue line bleeding through.
Are both Aura and Emerald both self-priming?
Self-priming flat and matte paints are nearly as impressive as an eggshell sheen, but we are saving labor and material anytime you can save a coat of paint. But how self-priming is it?
Can it seal water stains, spackle, or crayons?
Emerald and Aura specs both say that they are self-priming paints. Yes, they can both go directly over spackle without primer and cover crayon markings on the wall.
Interestingly, while Benjamin Moore’s Aura struggled to cover a coffee stain, Sherwin Williams Emerald had no such issue.
In conclusion, if you are relying on wall paint to to act as a primer sealer, then try Emerald. But if you want to complete peace of mind use a primer sealer.
Speaking of Cost, How Much???
A premium grade of paint will cost just under $100.00 a gallon, but the technology is there. Great coverage, amazing washability, and in the case of Emerald is also a very easy paint to apply.
Conclusion
Whether you choose Emerald or Aura, both paints are exceptional. Excellent coverage, self-priming, and similar washability. The only significant difference is Emerald’s workability. Emerald is much easier to brush, which should result in quicker application. The price points are also similar, with a slight edge for Emerald.
Both paints are excellent, but I would give Emerald paint a slight edge because of its workability, a subtle difference in washability, and price.
