Is Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams more popular with Ottawa painters?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is that both brands are extremely well-represented in Ottawa — but they tend to dominate in slightly different segments of the market.

The Ottawa Market Breakdown

Benjamin Moore has historically had stronger brand loyalty among Ottawa residential painters and homeowners. This is partly due to the extensive network of independent Benjamin Moore dealers across the Ottawa area — shops like Randall's, John G. Young, and various independent paint stores that carry BM exclusively and offer expert colour matching. These stores have deep roots in Ottawa neighbourhoods and have built relationships with local painters over decades.

Sherwin-Williams has been gaining significant ground in Ottawa, particularly among commercial painters and larger residential crews. Their company-owned stores (there are several across Ottawa, including locations on Merivale, Innes, and in Kanata) offer contractor pricing programs and bulk discounts that make them attractive for high-volume work. Many Ottawa painters maintain accounts at both.

Product-by-Product Comparison

For interior walls, Benjamin Moore's Regal Select and Aura lines are the gold standard among Ottawa painters who work on higher-end homes. Aura runs $75 to $90 per gallon in Ottawa (roughly 10-15% less than GTA pricing) and offers exceptional coverage — often true one-coat on colour-to-colour changes. Sherwin-Williams' Emerald line competes directly with Aura at $70 to $85 per gallon and has gained a strong following.

For exterior work in Ottawa's brutal climate (-30C winters, +35C summers, 200+ cm of snow), both brands perform well. Benjamin Moore's Aura Exterior and Sherwin-Williams' Duration Exterior are both formulated for extreme temperature ranges. Duration has a slight edge in flexibility at very low temperatures according to some Ottawa painters, while Aura Exterior is praised for its colour retention.

For trim and doors, Benjamin Moore's Advance (waterborne alkyd) has become the go-to for Ottawa painters who want the smooth, hard finish of oil-based paint without the fumes or yellowing. Sherwin-Williams' Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel is the direct competitor and equally well-regarded.

Pricing in Ottawa

Ottawa paint pricing runs 10-15% below GTA prices for both brands. Here's a rough comparison for their premium interior lines:

| Product | Ottawa Price (approx.) |
|---------|----------------------|
| BM Aura (interior) | $75-$90/gallon |
| SW Emerald (interior) | $70-$85/gallon |
| BM Regal Select | $60-$72/gallon |
| SW Cashmere | $55-$68/gallon |
| BM Advance (trim) | $55-$70/gallon |
| SW Emerald Urethane | $55-$68/gallon |

Both brands offer contractor pricing that's typically 20-35% below retail, which is why the brand your painter uses often comes down to which supplier gives them the best deal.

What Ottawa Pros Actually Say

Most experienced Ottawa painters will tell you that the differences between the two top-tier lines are minimal in real-world performance. What matters far more is:

• Proper surface preparation — the best paint in the world fails on a poorly prepped surface
• Correct product selection for the specific application (bathroom vs. living room vs. exterior)
• Application technique — roller nap size, brush quality, number of coats
• Timing for exterior work — both brands need temperatures above 10C for proper curing

Other Brands Worth Knowing

Dulux (PPG) has a solid presence in Ottawa, particularly in the commercial and multi-residential segment. Para Paints (now owned by PPG) was a Canadian favourite for decades and still has loyal users. Cloverdale Paint and General Paint show up on some commercial jobs.

For heritage homes in Ottawa's conservation districts (the Glebe, Sandy Hill, Rockcliffe), some painters prefer specialized heritage colour palettes — both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams offer historical colour collections, though BM's Historical Collection tends to be more referenced for Ottawa heritage projects.

The Bottom Line

You genuinely can't go wrong with either brand at the premium tier. Pick your painter based on their skill and reputation, not their paint brand preference. A great painter using mid-range Sherwin-Williams will outperform a mediocre painter using top-of-the-line Benjamin Moore every time.

The Ottawa Construction Network directory lists painters across the city — many of their profiles mention their preferred paint brands so you can match your preference. And if you have more questions about which specific product is right for your project, Ottawa Paint Contractors' Paint IQ is always here.