A Contractor’s Experience Using SW Emerald Exterior Paints
Emerald Exterior, introduced after 2011, remains Sherwin-Williams’s most expensive exterior paint line. However, multiple reformulations have altered its application characteristics and performance advantages since we first used it here in Raleigh.
To be clear, we have continued to use Emerald Exterior since its introduction, enabling us to experience every change. While it remains a premium paint, the reformulations have been drastic, changing how it performs and where it works best. We love to use Emerald Rain & Refresh when we are painting the entire outside of a home that has a vibrant color. I removes the sticky door issue and does not collect dust or dirt as easily.
But here comes the unspoken truth. Emerald Exterior retail prices now range between $80 and $120 per gallon. Evaluating enhancements is essential to determine whether they’re worth the additional cost.
Our Sherwin-Williams Emerald exterior review outlines the pros and cons based on our experience and answers whether it’s worth the upgrade for your needs and the project you’re painting.
Emerald Exterior Introduction and Formulation
When Emerald was introduced, it was in a class of its own. It was the first zero-VOC outdoor paint provided by a major paint company. It was a thin exterior enamel with an exceptional combination of acrylic resins, binders, and pigment. Frankly, it was an exterior paint we had never seen from SW.
Emerald was a much-needed alternative to the sticky paint SW was known for at the time. It didn’t attract dirt, eliminated sticky front doors and unwanted brushed strokes, and covered like a dream. The only drawback was that it didn’t bridge hairline cracks on surfaces such as textured plywood and other microscopic cracks that painters cannot fill with exterior caulk. So using this paint to brush delaminating siding common in older neighborhoods like Windsor Forest was not advantageous at the time.
The initial formulation of Emerald sprayed and brushed uniformly, and it only cost $55 to $60 for each gallon at the time.
While we adopted Emerald into our exterior projects, others didn’t receive the new kid on the block. The pushback had little to do with performance. Understandably, painters didn’t want to pay the additional price.
Emeralds Reformulations
Since Emerald first landed on shelves, there have been at least four reformulations significant enough for us to mention. The first change was a thicker consistency, closely reminiscent of Duration Exterior at the time.
Emerald’s heavy consistency ignited internal product cannibalization, rivaling Duration Exterior. As a result, painters saw less reason to purchase Emerald. As a result, sales and interest fell short of meeting expectations. Sherwin-Williams responded by reformulating Duration, resulting in thinner paint and reduced coverage.
Emerald Exterior and its Consistency
Emerald is the heaviest non-elastomeric paint Sherwin-Williams offers. Thicker than Duration when used as a 7-mil exterior coating. While Emerald contains heavy fillers that allow thicker paint applications, the coverage has not improved. But understanding marketing, why would it? The paint is thicker, requires additional coats, and costs more. That is a win-win for SW in terms of paint sales!
Additionally, due to its viscosity, Emerald is not an easy paint to use. Still, Emerald’s advancements include improved resistance to weather-related vulnerabilities and degradation.
How Emerald Brushes
Brushing Emerald is no easy task, requiring skill and a stiff-bristled paintbrush that can manipulate the paint effectively. Since it has a thick consistency, it’s hard to spread and hide unwanted brush marks in hot conditions or when using dark colors.
If you are painting with Emerald under summer temperatures exceeding 80 degrees, you will need a paint extender such as Floetrol to reduce brush marks. However, both Emerald Rain Fresh and Urethane Enamel solve this problem.
This premium paint is best for exterior trim, doors, and windows. Emerald provides the thickest single-coat protection for exterior repaints.
Spraying Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior
Due to its thickness, Emerald requires high-powered professional paint sprayers such as the Titan 840 or higher to achieve a consistent paint flow and a uniform finish. Otherwise, it is one of the easiest exterior paints to spray.
Spray Advantages:
- Less Overspray
- Dries Evenly
- Minimal Lap Marks
- Enables Heavy Applications
- Limits Paint Sags and Drips
Price vs. Performance
A recurring issue is the lack of paint pigment in light colors. The lack of titanium dioxide continues to limit paint coverage for many manufacturers and, like a broken record, is the most shared complaint among painters who understand this issue.
Emerald is a premium exterior paint, but falling into the trap of limited coverage is an outplayed game that doesn’t sit well, considering the price. Falling short of Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior in coverage is a significant drawback, and now the prices are comparable between the two. It is the biggest conflict when considering the new formulation.
Given the cost and potential paint waste from inadequate coverage, Emerald is costly to use.
Durability and Finish
With a nearly perfect balance between resin and application thickness, one department Emerald doesn’t suffer in is durability. It provides long-lasting protection in satin and gloss finishes.
Loss of sheen is one of the first noticeable signs of paint wear. An exterior paint that holds its sheen is vital for resisting oxidation, moisture, and organic growth. Emerald provides protection that excels in all categories.
Cons:
- Attracts Dirt. No Longer Provides a Non-Sticky Surface
- Rain Refresh Needed to Resolve Dirt & Sticky Issues
- High Retail Cost
- Average Paint Coverage in Light Colors
- Excessive Paint Consumption When Paint Doesn’t Cover
Pros:
- Fills & Hides Hairline Cracks
- Reduces Surface Texture
- Resistance to Paint Oxidation
- Consistent Finish in Dark Colors
- Increased Durability
- Moisture Resistance
- Thick Application
- Protection Over Damaged Surfaces
Rain Refresh (Formerly Known as Rain Go)
Having been in business using SW paints across the Triangle for over 20 years has enabled us to understand the trajectories of how products evolve. In our view, Rain Refresh, in many ways, is much like the original Emerald formulation, with a few enhancements relating to moisture and dirt collection. But boy, do these enhancements come at a hefty price.
Sherwin-Williams Rain Refresh retails for over $120 per gallon and continues to rise. While we appreciate how SW offers solutions for all painting applications, it’s essential to know whether your project actually needs an expensive product like Rain Refresh.
Unsurprisingly, the product doesn’t sell well. Because it sounds enticing at first glance, homeowners are the only ones who ever mention it. And of course, no local professional painter pays full retail price.
Conclusion
As more paint reformulations are all but inevitable in the future, Emerald could become our new standard as new exterior paints are introduced. But until then, it’s essential to know your budget and long-term goals before considering Emerald.
While paint prices continue to increase, many homeowners establish a false sense of expectation. Just because the paint is expensive doesn’t mean it’s the best, and other paints are somehow inferior.
Paint durability is always critical if you paint your house’s exterior. However, inexperienced product recommendations are often based on preference, blind opinions, or hype instead of true raw performance. If you are considering this product, it is worth contacting a knowledgeable, professional house painter. Let us evaluate the surface conditions and determine whether Emerald is the best for your needs. It could save you a lot of money. For expert paint and substrate analysis, call us at 919-426-4928 today!
