Benjamin Moore set to phase out some of its popular & older lines of paint.

Benjamin Moore set to discontinue some of its more popular & older lines of paint. While it is a shame in some ways to see some old favourites go, it makes sense that Benjamin Moore would look to reduce the number of lines of paint on its shelves.  For home owners and Vancouver painters, this will be a big change for the Vancouver painting industry.

Let’s take a look at interior latex paints. By my count there are currently 14 lines of latex interior paint currently available from Benjamin Moore – you can currently buy ‘eggshell’ in ten lines of alone.

What’s going:    

• Collection – has been a very popular and successful line
• Eco Spec – replaced by Ultra Spec 500
• Super Spec –also replaced by Ultra Spec 500
• Moorstyle – still available in some stores, but already discontinued
• Moore’s Ceiling Paint – recently discontinued
• All Oils & Alkyds – not for sure, but word on the street is that these will be gone before too long.  This is inevitable, but for certain applications, oils & alkyds will be definitely be missed.
• Natura – still available, but the word on the street is that this Zero VOC paint will be gone too.  (if this is true, it will be unfortunate.  It is their best quality Zero VOC paint)
• Concepts – this a low grade paint, which is the equivalent of the Canadian Tire exclusive Benjamin Moore paint ‘Origins’ -no great loss here!

What’s going, but will hopefully be reformulated in Gennex:

• Impervex High Gloss
• Kitchen & Bath
• Porch & Floor – the urethane (oil) version of this is already gone

What’s here to stay (for now…)

• Aura – Benjamin Moore’s premium line of paint –excellent paint!
• Regal Select – basically a Gennex version of ‘Collection’
• Ben – good, but basically ‘poor man’s’ Aura
• Ultra Spec 500 – lower grade or ‘contractor’ paint.  This zero VOC paint replaces Eco Spec, and Super Spec
• Aura Bath & Spa – specifically formulated matte finish for bathrooms and other high moisture/humidity areas
• Waterbourne Ceiling Paint – Ultra Flat, Low VOC.  Great stuff.

While nothing is publicly confirmed, it won’t be a surprise if any of this happens.  Careful Painting has been painting in Vancouver since 1995, and we have used all of the above paints many times.  We feel that Benjamin Moore is doing the right thing moving forward, but some of these old favourites will definitely be missed. 

Derek ~ Careful Painting Vancouver