Based on our experience over the past couple of years, Duration is low VOC/low smell and is a decent paint. We just started to use BM Aura, which is low/no VOC and has very good coverage. Love the earthy palette. It's expensive, but we're happy we've switched.

What makes you happy you switched to BM Aura? Have you compared with C2? I'm not sure I can afford those kinds of prices, but if I was going to move up, which is better?

Is the BM paint that sells for $25/gallon as good as the Sherwin Williams Duration?

Thanks!

I prefer BM. I have painted with both Duration and Aura in the same space in last few weeks and waaaaay preferred the Aura. Much thicker, so much better coverage in less time, low VOC/smell, and the finish is nicer. I think I used less paint too with the Aura. Couldn't tell you which holds up better yet since it's only been a short while.

We arrived at Aura after mulling over Ellen Kennon paint chips and looking at websites of other full spectrum paints. We found good reviews of Aura on the painting forum (yay GW!), tracked down a store 55 miles away and bought some samples.

We fell in love with the earthy palette and the richness of the colors. We settled on Masada to bring together our new maple kitchen cabinets, our brick chimney wall and some dark furniture & blinds in a large open plan space:

At the same time, we were buying sample after sample of SW for various other projects, and were not happy with the color selection or even the SW sample paint quality. I tried color matching Aura "Kona" in Duration but they put in so much colorant that it was overly runny (don't ask!). We ended up with a drippy and flat/over-saturated mess on our laundry room wall. Repainted with Kona and, voila!, instant depth and richness--and works beautifully when viewed from kitchen. The eggshell paint even worked on our cabinets!

After using both SW Duration (last home) and BM Matte (current home), we definitely prefer the Matte. Both homes had stairways with painted walls. I find the Matte finish holds up so much better to washing dirty fingerprints off (with 3 young children there are lots!) than the Duration ever did. Plus, I find the staff at our local BM store much more helpful with color selection than the SW. Our local SW store is always well staffed but has never offerred help or guidance even when I have been the only customer in the store.

I also recently used a Laura Ashley Paint from Lowe's (trying to save a few dollars on my son's room) and really liked the Eggshell finish paint and how easy it was to work with.

Our painter loves the exterior Duration, but when painting interior walls, he prefers the Sherwin Williams 'Super' paint. He's used both in our home and they really hold up well. He does a ton of painting for folks and is quite knowledgeable, so we went with what he said. We're glad we did.

I way prefer the Aura, but from a use perspective, not application. In the same sheen, the finish of the Aura is very smooth and stays clean fairly well, whereas the Duration has a very fine, rough, gritty finish which gets dirty very easily.

Many people mention the price of paint, and I understand the concern. I'm on a budget too. However, remember that the largest outlay in painting a room is your time and or/labor. Three gallons of paint at $25 versus $55 is less than $100 difference for the room. That amount of money won't even fill a grocery cart and will be less than drapes, blinds, throw pillows, or any # of other things you might buy. My advice, save up if you have to but don't scrimp. Your lovely wall color is the first thing you'll notice. Make it wow.

Try Behr. But if you're hiring a painter, let that painter choose the brand of paint.

if you are the homeowner, for you family's health you need to read this post first before you CHOSE Sherwin WIlliams products!!!

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/sherwin-williams-duration-paint-smell-dsvw-vd~2488963