Is Benjamin Moore paint worth the higher price compared to Behr for interior painting in NB?

For most interior painting projects in New Brunswick, Benjamin Moore is worth the extra cost — but the real question is where you are painting and how long you want the results to last.

The price gap between the two is real. Benjamin Moore Regal Select or Aura typically runs $65-80/gallon at an independent paint store, while Behr Ultra or Premium Plus at Home Depot lands at $40-55/gallon. That difference adds up on a full house repaint. But paint is not just a colour on the wall — it is a film-forming product whose pigment load, resin quality, and coverage rate determine how many coats you need and how long the finish holds up.

Benjamin Moore consistently outperforms in two areas that matter most to NB homeowners: coverage and washability. A premium Benjamin Moore product typically covers 350-400 square feet per gallon on a properly primed surface and holds up to repeated cleaning without scrubbing away the sheen. In high-traffic areas like hallways, mudrooms, and kitchens — especially in homes with kids or pets — that extra durability translates into fewer touch-ups and a longer interval before repainting. Behr products have improved considerably over the years and are a legitimate option for lower-traffic spaces like bedrooms, but professionals in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John overwhelmingly prefer Benjamin Moore for its consistency and predictable results.

One practical consideration specific to New Brunswick is access to colour matching and paint stores. Benjamin Moore sells through independent paint retailers across NB, and those stores tend to have knowledgeable staff who can match colours, recommend the right sheen, and troubleshoot problems. Behr is only available through Home Depot locations in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John — if you run short mid-project or need a quick custom match in Miramichi, Bathurst, or Shediac, that becomes a logistical problem.

Practical tips for making the choice:

• For bedrooms, home offices, and low-traffic guest rooms, Behr Ultra or Behr Premium Plus Enamel is a reasonable mid-range option that saves money without a major quality sacrifice.


• For kitchens, bathrooms, kids’ rooms, hallways, and trim, spend the extra money on Benjamin Moore Regal Select (eggshell or satin for walls, semi-gloss for trim) — you will wash those surfaces regularly and you want a film that holds up.


• Always factor in coverage: if a cheaper paint requires three coats where Benjamin Moore needs two, the cost difference narrows significantly once you account for extra paint and labour time.

For DIYers, Benjamin Moore is also more forgiving to work with — better levelling, longer open time, and smoother brush and roller application. For a professional painter quoting a fixed-price job, paint quality directly affects how many gallons they need and how many coats the job takes, which is why experienced NB painters almost always spec Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams on their estimates. If you are painting yourself, the extra $15-25 per gallon on Benjamin Moore in a kitchen or living room is genuinely worth it.

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