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QUICK ANSWER For most homes, the best exterior paint is a premium 100% acrylic latex like Benjamin Moore Aura Waterborne Exterior. It delivers the strongest combination of UV resistance, flexibility, and mildew protection, with an expected service life of 8 to 10 years when applied over the right primer. Choose low lustre for siding and soft gloss for trim and doors. Finding the best exterior paint isn't really about ranking brands. It's about matching the right formula to your siding, your climate, and the finish you want when it's done. Exterior paint has to handle UV, moisture, temperature swings, and...

Even the best paint won’t last if the surface beneath it isn’t sound—or if the wrong product is used for the job. Paint failure almost always comes down to a few root causes: poor adhesion, trapped moisture, UV damage, or chemical incompatibility. Understanding what causes peeling, blistering, and fading can save you from expensive do-overs later. 1. Poor Adhesion: When Paint Doesn’t Stick Adhesion failures show up as peeling, flaking, or sections of paint that lift off in sheets. The most common causes are: Painting over dirt, oil, chalk, or mildew without cleaning properly. Skipping primer, especially on bare wood,...

  If you’ve ever picked up a can of Benjamin Moore Aura® and noticed “Color Lock® Technology” on the label, it’s natural to wonder: What does that actually mean and does it matter for your project? As an independent dealer, we work with customers who are comparing top-tier paints all the time. In this article we’ll unpack Color Lock in plain language, explain why Benjamin Moore developed it, where you’ll actually find it. Color Lock in Plain English Benjamin Moore describes Color Lock as a technology that "locks" pigments into the paint film so colors stay richer, resist fading, and...

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) measures the percentage of light a paint color reflects or absorbs, typically on a scale from 0 (absolute black) to 100 (pure white).  A higher LRV (above 50) makes spaces brighter and feel larger, while a lower LRV (below 50) creates cozier, darker, or more dramatic, moody spaces. Scale & Meaning: 0–100. Lower numbers (e.g., 5-10) are dark/absorbent; higher numbers (e.g., 80-90) are light/reflective. Locating LRV: Found on the back of paint chips in-store or on manufacturer websites. Why It Matters: Lighting: Helps determine how much artificial lighting is needed. Low-LRV rooms require more, while high-LRV rooms maximize natural...

Color really does make the room. The perfect shade and finish can enlarge a small space, bring in more light, or deliver that kick of energy you need with your morning coffee. But finding the right one? Now that’s another story.