Need to choose between Benjamin Moore’s Aura vs Regal Select? This article covers the key differences, helping you decide which is best for your project based on durability, coverage, and price.
Key Takeaways
- Benjamin Moore Auraoffers superior color retention and is ideal for high-traffic areas, while Regal Select excels in durability and ease of application, suitable for a wide range of surfaces.
- Aura covers approximately 350-400 sq. ft. per gallon and provides high durability, while Regal Select covers around 400-450 sq. ft. per gallon, offering efficient use and cost savings for larger projects.
- Both Aura and Regal Select are zero-VOC paints with mildew resistance, though Aura features Color Lock technology for vibrant, long-lasting colors, and Regal Select incorporates stain release technology for easy cleaning.
Benjamin Moore Aura vs. Regal Select: Key Differences
Benjamin Moore’s Auraand Regal Select are two of the premium interior paint options the brand offers, the third being the more cost-effective Ben interior. The primary difference lies in their respective formulations. Benjamin Moore’s Aura is celebrated for its superior color retention, ensuring that your walls stay vibrant and fresh over time. Its exceptional color retention makes it suitable for rooms where color impact is vital, like living rooms and accent walls.
Conversely, Regal Select excels in durability and ease of application. This versatile paint can be used throughout the home, including on ceilings. It is available in Ready Mix White. Whether you’re painting a bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom, Regal Select’s durability ensures it can handle the wear and tear of daily life while maintaining its pristine look.
While both paints offer mildew resistance and zero VOC, the choice between Aura and Regal Select often comes down to specific needs and preferences. Being the highest quality paint in Benjamin Moore’s line, Aura serves as a premium option for those prioritizing color richness and lifespan.
At the same time, Regal Select provides superb value for money due to its strong performance and versatility.
Coverage Comparison: Aura vs. Regal Select
When it comes to coverage, there is a slight difference between Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select. Aura paint typically covers around 350-400 sq. ft. per gallon, making it ideal for projects where you need excellent hide and coverage properties. This makes Aura a fantastic choice for high-traffic areas that might need a bit more durability and coverage to stay looking fresh and clean.
Regal Select covers a slightly larger area, encompassing approximately 400-450 sq. ft. per gallon. This makes it an efficient option for larger painting projects. This additional coverage can be beneficial for larger projects or when trying to stretch your budget. Whether you’re painting a spacious living room or an expansive exterior wall, the extra coverage provided by Regal Select paints allows for efficient use of each gallon, helping you complete your project with fewer cans, and ultimately, less cost.
Durability and Longevity
Durability and longevity play a crucial role when investing in paint. Benjamin Moore Aura offers superior durability, making it a highly reliable choice for high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens, and children’s rooms. Its exceptional color retention means that the vibrant hues you choose will remain rich and full for years to come, even in exterior applications where weathering can be a concern.
Regal Select is also acclaimed for its durability, with strong resistance to fading, cracking, and peeling. This makes it an excellent option for both interior and exterior projects, providing a long-lasting finish that can withstand the test of time on various surfaces. Its smooth leveling and mildew resistance ensure that walls remain pristine and easy to maintain, even in challenging conditions.
While Aura might have a slight edge in terms of overall durability, Regal Select’s robust performance and resistance to weathering make it an equally compelling choice. Both paints offer excellent coverage and protection, ensuring that your walls look beautiful and stay protected, no matter where they are applied.
Price Analysis: Aura vs. Regal Select
Cost always plays a significant role when selecting paint. Benjamin Moore Aura typically retails for about $15 more per gallon than Regal Select. This price difference reflects Aura’s premium formulation, which includes a higher percentage of volume solids that contribute to its superior coverage and durability.
Even though it costs less, Regal Select still provides great value for money. It provides robust performance and versatility at a more affordable price point, making it a preferred choice for many homeowners and professionals.
Whether you’re working on a tight budget or looking for a paint that offers the best bang for your buck, Regal Select remains a top contender.
Paint Finish Options
The paint’s finish can greatly influence the overall ambiance of your space. Benjamin Moore Aura paint offers a variety of finishes, including Matte, Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-gloss.
These options provide flexibility for different painting needs. Each finish offers a different level of sheen and durability, allowing you to tailor the look to your specific needs. For example, a satin finish might be perfect for a kitchen or bathroom where moisture resistance is crucial.
Conversely, Regal Select offers a wider array of finishes, including:
This versatility makes it easy to find the perfect finish for any room in your home, whether you’re looking to create a soft gloss, low-luster look in a bedroom or a durable, easy-to-clean surface in a high-traffic hallway.
The selection of the right finish isn’t merely about aesthetics; it also influences the paint’s durability and maintenance ease. For instance, a matte finish offers a modern, sophisticated look but may not be as easy to clean as a semi-gloss finish, which is more suitable for areas prone to dirt and grime. Understanding these nuances helps ensure you pick the perfect finish for each room in your home.
Application Process
Application ease is an important consideration for both DIY aficionados and professional painters. Both Aura and Regal Select paints are suitable for easy application with a brush, roller, or sprayer. They are designed for convenient use on various surfaces. However, Aura’s thicker consistency can make it a bit more challenging to apply compared to Regal Select.
One of the notable features of Aura paint is its quick drying time—just 1 hour to touch and 1 hour to recoat—making it ideal for projects that need to be completed quickly with minimal disruption. Additionally, Aura includes a self-priming feature, which eliminates the need for a separate primer and ensures a smooth, uniform finish with enhanced flow and leveling properties. With these qualities, aura paints are perfect for your next project.
Regal Select offers the following benefits:
- Dries quickly, though it’s recommended to wait about 4 hours between coats
- Provides excellent hide and fast-drying properties
- Allows for efficient project completion
Whether you’re a seasoned painter or a weekend warrior, the ease of use and quick drying times of Regal Select make it a convenient choice for any painting project.
Color Selection
Both Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select offer an extensive selection of over 3,500 colors, ensuring that you can find the perfect shade for any room in your home. Aura’s color portfolio includes specialized collections like the Color Stories collection, which features unique, vibrant hues that can transform any space. This makes Aura an excellent choice for creative projects where color impact is paramount.
Regal Select Paint also provides a diverse palette, covering various color families similar to the Aura line. Whether you’re looking for a classic neutral or a bold statement color, Regal Select’s extensive range ensures you’ll find the perfect match. The versatility in color options offered by both paints makes them suitable for any design preference.
Special Technologies in Aura and Regal Select
One distinguishing feature of Benjamin Moore Aura is its unique Color Lock technology. This technology locks pigments into the paint, ensuring vibrant, rich, and consistent colors that resist fading, even after repeated washings. This makes Aura an excellent choice for rooms where maintaining color vibrancy is essential, such as living rooms and dining areas.
On the contrary, Regal Select integrates a unique stain release technology. This feature makes it easier to clean and remove common household stains with just soap and water. For busy households with children or pets, this technology ensures that walls remain clean and beautiful with minimal effort.
Both technologies enhance the performance and longevity of the paints, ensuring that your walls not only look great but also endure the demands of everyday life.
Whether you prioritize vibrant colors or easy maintenance, the special technologies in Aura and Regal Select offer significant benefits for any home.
Environmental Impact and VOC Levels
Given today’s environmental consciousness, the paint’s effect on indoor air quality is a key consideration. Both Aura and Regal Select are water-based interior paints that are mildew resistant and have low odor with zero VOC. This makes them a healthier choice for your home, contributing to better indoor air quality.
Additionally, both paints undergo independent testing to ensure lowered emissions during the drying stage, further improving their environmental credentials. Benjamin Moore Regal Select is part of Benjamin Moore’s Green Promise program, which includes comprehensive environmental testing standards covering VOC emissions and prohibitions on air pollutants and carcinogens. Choosing either of these paints means you’re opting for a product that is both high-performing and environmentally friendly, like Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select.
Best Uses for Each Paint
Due to its superior durability and resistance to scuffing and stains, Benjamin Moore Aura paint is ideally suited for high-traffic areas. This makes it an excellent choice for spaces like hallways, kitchens, and children’s rooms, where walls are more likely to experience wear and tear.
Thanks to its mildew-resistant coating, Regal Select is especially useful in humid conditions, making it an excellent choice for bathrooms and exterior surfaces. Additionally, Regal Select High Build is designed to bridge small cracks and voids, enhancing surface durability and providing a smooth, even finish.
Whether you need a paint that withstands the rigors of daily life or one that maintains its beauty in challenging conditions, both Aura and Regal Select offer specialized benefits that cater to different needs. Understanding these best uses helps ensure you choose the right paint for each area of your home.
Summary
In summary, both Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select are excellent choices, each with its unique strengths. Aura excels in color retention and durability, making it perfect for high-traffic areas and rooms where vibrant colors are essential. Regal Select stands out for its versatility, durability, and value for money, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including exterior surfaces.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize premium quality and color retention or value and versatility, Benjamin Moore paints offer options that meet the highest standards of performance and beauty.
