- kathleenbminton
Exterior Paint: Sherwin William's Emerald vs Duration
Here at Northern Ridge Painting, We prefer to use Sherwin Williams paint. However, we also use Benjamin Moore occasionally, depending on the project. The two main exterior paints we use from Sherwin are "Duration" and "Emerald." They are similar but have some distinct differences. We go over the differences and similarities here.


Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex
Duration Premium Exterior Coating is formulated with PermaLast® technology and infused with advanced acrylic co-polymers for long-lasting performance. Duration is self-priming and provides a mildew-resistance coating. It requires just one coat for repaints and two coats for new work, so exterior jobs get done fast. It features:
Excellent durability and hide.
Formulated with PermaLast™ Technology – for more durability and a thicker coat than ordinary latex paint.
Excellent protection from cracking, peeling, and blistering
Flash rust resistance minimizes nail head rusting, and its tannin bleed resistance is better than conventional latex paints.
Self-priming – use one coat for repaints and two coats for unpainted surfaces.
Low-temperature application down to 35° F.
Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe® paint colors allow you the freedom to choose from 100 color options, including a limited selection of darker colors formulated to resist warping or buckling when applied to sound, stable vinyl siding.
Available in flat, satin, gloss, and Low Lustre
Backed by a lifetime limited warranty.
Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint
Emerald® Exterior premium paint and primer in one allows you to achieve stunning exterior results that stand the test of time in fewer coats.
Offers premium performance that stands the test of time, coupled with exceptional beauty and excellent application.
Offers resistance to blistering, peeling, fading and dirt pickup, as well as a mildew-resistant coating.
Self-priming with a smooth, uniform appearance.
Meets the most stringent VOC regulations and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Available in Flat, Satin, and Gloss
The main differences and similarities are as follows:
Both paint lines are water-based acrylic latex, self-priming, and come in various colors and finishes.
Both offer the same drying time, are similar in coverage, block stains, resist mold and mildew, and are easy to clean.
Both Duration and Emerald have low VOCs.
Both paint lines work with VinylSafe, a collection of colors designed to resist buckling and warping on vinyl surfaces.
Emerald interior paint has a higher volume solids than Duration interior, while the exterior versions of both lines have similar volume solids.
Sherwin-Williams Duration has Moisture Resistant Technology, making it better for damp environments.
Duration is recommended over Emerald for high-traffic areas.
Duration is made with PermaLast Technology, an innovative additive that makes the paint 70% thicker and, therefore, longer lasting. Emerald does not feature this technology.
Due to its thickness, Duration doesn’t go on as smooth and is more difficult to clean out of brushes and rollers.
Emerald paints are slightly more expensive than Duration.