Choosing the right paint for your home’s interior walls can often feel like navigating a maze. With countless options, finishes, and claims, how do you pick a product that truly delivers? Many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts face the challenge of finding a paint that offers both beautiful aesthetics and lasting performance without becoming a headache to apply. If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality solution that streamlines your painting projects and elevates your living spaces, you’re in the right place. The video above dives into why Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell stands out as a top-tier choice for interior wall paint, and we’re here to expand on those insights, offering a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell is more than just a paint; it’s a favorite among professionals and DIYers alike for its exceptional balance of workability, coverage, and a stunning finish. This latex-based paint is specifically formulated for interior walls, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and bedrooms. Its consistent performance makes it a go-to for achieving professional-looking results in your own home, ensuring your hard work pays off with a durable and attractive finish.
Understanding the Value of Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell
When investing in paint, understanding its true value goes beyond the price tag. Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell, while considered a premium product, often translates to long-term savings due to its superior durability and finish quality. Think of it like choosing between a cheap pair of shoes that wear out quickly and a well-made pair that lasts for years; the initial investment for quality often proves more economical over time. This paint’s premium formulation means fewer coats are often needed for excellent coverage, and its resilience helps maintain your walls’ fresh appearance for longer, reducing the frequency of repainting.
1. Decoding the Cost: What to Expect When Buying Regal Select
The cost of Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell can vary, typically ranging from the high $30s to the mid $60s per gallon, with a sweet spot often found between $40 and $55. This variation isn’t arbitrary; Benjamin Moore operates through independent retailers, meaning pricing isn’t unified across all locations. Factors like your geographic location, whether you have a professional account with the store, and even local promotions can influence the final price. To get the best deal, consider calling around to different Benjamin Moore dealers or authorized retailers like Ace Hardware in your area. This small effort can lead to significant savings, especially if you’re undertaking a large painting project that requires multiple gallons.
Despite the potential for a higher initial cost compared to entry-level paints, Regal Select is often likened to Sherwin Williams’ Duration line in terms of quality and pricing. This comparison highlights its position as a top-tier paint, offering a premium experience and results that justify the investment. It’s a workhorse paint for many professionals because it consistently delivers, proving that sometimes, paying a little more upfront for quality can save you time, effort, and frustration down the line. Remember, paint prices, like many commodities, can fluctuate, so always check current local rates.
2. Workability: A Dream to Apply for DIY Enthusiasts
One of the most crucial aspects for any painter, especially a DIYer, is how easily a paint applies. Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell truly shines in its workability, offering a smooth and pleasant painting experience. While it’s slightly thicker than some thinner wall paints, this characteristic actually contributes to its excellent coverage and less noticeable brush marks. For the average homeowner, this thickness makes it easier to control, reducing drips and providing a more even application whether you’re brushing or rolling.
When it comes to cutting in, which is the delicate art of painting edges with a brush, you’ll find Regal Select cooperative and smooth. While incredibly fast professional painters might notice a fractional difference in speed compared to thinner products, most DIYers will appreciate its controlled flow. The paint adheres well to the brush, minimizing accidental droplets during transfer from your container to the wall. This means less mess and more confidence as you tackle those precise lines around trim and ceilings. Similarly, rolling with Regal Select is a breeze, offering normal splatter levels and a consistent finish without excessive effort.
Beyond application, the user experience is enhanced by the paint’s low odor and quick dry time. Many users, including professionals, note a pleasant, subtly flowery scent, which is a significant advantage for interior painting, especially if you’re sensitive to strong paint fumes. With a recoat time of just one to two hours, you can comfortably apply two coats in a single day, or even three if your project demands it. This efficiency is a game-changer for homeowners who want to complete their painting projects quickly and get back to enjoying their refreshed spaces.
3. Coverage Capabilities: The “Paint and Primer” Conundrum
When it comes to coverage, Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell lives up to its premium billing. It typically achieves excellent hide in just two coats when transitioning between similar color tones. However, like many paints marketed as “paint and primer in one,” it’s crucial to approach this claim with a critical eye. While Regal Select offers superior coverage compared to many standard paints, it’s not a substitute for a dedicated primer in specific situations. Think of “paint and primer in one” as a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions well, but a specialist coach (actual primer) will always be better for specific, challenging tasks.
A true primer serves distinct purposes: it seals porous surfaces, blocks stains, promotes adhesion, and provides a uniform base for your topcoat. If you’re painting over raw drywall, spackle patches, bare wood, or making a drastic color change (e.g., dark to very light, or vice-versa), a dedicated primer is non-negotiable. Skipping this step can lead to “flashing,” where uneven absorption causes certain areas (like spackle spots) to appear duller or differ in sheen even after multiple topcoats. This happens because the paint absorbs differently into untreated areas, making imperfections stand out like a spotlight. To ensure a flawless, professional result, always prime appropriately before applying your Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell.
One area where Regal Select truly excels in coverage is with dark colors. If you’ve ever tried to paint a deep, rich hue over a light base, you know the struggle – endless coats and still an uneven finish. Regal Select handles low LRV (Light Reflectance Value) colors exceptionally well, often achieving a beautiful, saturated finish in two, or at most, three coats. This makes it an ideal choice for accent walls or rooms designed with a moodier, darker palette, where other paints might leave you frustrated and needing more product.
4. The Classy Finish: A Visual Delight
The finish of Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell is consistently praised for its sophisticated appearance. An eggshell finish offers a subtle, low-sheen glow that provides a touch more durability and cleanability than a flat or matte, without the noticeable reflection of a semi-gloss. It’s often described as a “classy finish” because it strikes the perfect balance between elegance and practicality. This paint creates a smooth, uniform surface that enhances the aesthetic appeal of any room, reflecting light softly and evenly.
A key indicator of a premium paint finish is its ability to minimize common painting flaws. Regal Select is particularly adept at avoiding lap marks, which are visible overlaps where roller passes meet, and picture framing, where brush strokes from cutting in create a darker outline around the rolled areas. The paint’s formulation allows it to “level” beautifully as it dries, blending the applied paint seamlessly. This self-leveling quality is especially noticeable in natural light, where a lesser paint might reveal every imperfection. Even when applying dark colors, where inconsistencies are typically amplified, Regal Select maintains its high-quality, uniform appearance, delivering a truly polished look.
5. Durability: Built to Last in Busy Homes
For interior walls, durability is paramount, especially in active households with children, pets, or high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways. Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell in an eggshell finish is specifically chosen for its robust nature. While the matte version might offer a slightly duller, more velvety look, it marks up considerably more easily. The eggshell sheen, with its subtle reflective quality, provides a tougher surface that stands up better to daily wear and tear.
While no paint is completely impervious to damage, Regal Select Eggshell is designed to resist scuffing and minor abrasions. Most everyday marks can often be gently wiped away with a damp paper towel or cloth and plain water, without compromising the sheen or integrity of the paint. However, a crucial piece of advice for any painted surface: avoid harsh scrubbing. Abrasive cleaning, regardless of the paint quality, can dull the finish and create shiny spots, effectively “polishing” the surface and altering its appearance. Treat your painted walls with care, and Regal Select will serve you well for years.
It’s important to reiterate that while durable, this Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell paint is not formulated with moisture-blocking agents. Therefore, it’s not recommended for high-humidity environments like bathrooms with showers or saunas. For those specific areas, dedicated bathroom paints with enhanced mold and mildew resistance would be a more appropriate choice. For all other interior walls, however, Regal Select offers an excellent level of durability, ensuring your investment in a beautiful finish stands the test of time against the usual demands of home life.
Cracking the Can: Your Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell Q&A
What is Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell paint?
It’s a high-quality, latex-based paint specifically formulated for interior walls. It’s favored by both professionals and DIYers for its excellent balance of workability, coverage, and an attractive finish.
Where in my home should I use Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell paint?
This paint is ideal for interior walls in high-traffic areas like living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and bedrooms. It provides a durable and attractive finish suitable for everyday home life.
Is Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell paint expensive?
While it’s considered a premium product, typically costing $40-$55 per gallon, its superior durability and coverage often lead to long-term savings by reducing the need for frequent repainting.
Is this paint easy for a beginner or DIYer to apply?
Yes, it’s known for its excellent workability, offering a smooth and controlled application with less drips. It also has a low odor and a quick recoat time, allowing you to complete projects efficiently.
Does Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell paint act as a primer?
While it offers great coverage, it’s best to use a dedicated primer for challenging situations like raw drywall, spackle patches, or drastic color changes. This ensures a flawless and uniform finish.