Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. Emerald: Which Paint Line is Better?

Making the right paint line choice can significantly impact your home’s overall look and feel. Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Emerald are two well-liked choices for interior paints.

Which Sherwin-Williams paint would be best for your interior project?

By comparing Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Emerald, you may find out how these top paint lines vary in terms of coverage, longevity, washability, cost, and general quality.

You will have detailed information on Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. Emerald by the end. With this knowledge, you shall make an informed decision about which is better for your painting project.

Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. Emerald: Similarities

The main similarities between Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Emerald product lines will be covered in this section.

1. Acrylic Latex Paint

The Cashmere and Emerald acrylic latex paints from Sherwin-Williams are water-soluble and employ resin as a binding agent.

Acrylic is affordable and a popular choice for beginners. It is simple to clean using water and mild soap.

Oil-based paints require more time to dry and have a stronger smell than acrylic. Additionally, it offers outstanding color retention and coverage.

2. Paint and Primer

Emerald and Cashmere come with a built-in primer, making them self-priming. This feature improves overall coverage, but using a separate primer in certain situations may still be necessary. For instance, transitioning from a bright or deep shade to a lighter or gentler one.

3. Stain-Resistant

Stain resistance is a feature only seen in Emerald product line. They are ideal because this property is for any room prone to stains, like a kitchen, craft room, or child’s playroom.

4. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

During paint drying, solvents called VOCs escape into the air.

As a result of consumer protection concerns, VOC levels in colorants have become a contentious issue. Companies like Sherwin-Williams seek to meet consumer demand for safer, more environmentally friendly products while continuing to comply with federal regulations.

You should consider the number of VOCs in a colorant when making your decision because:

• Numerous VOCs are known to cause cancer, as per the EPA.
• Short- and long-term health impacts from VOC exposure are possible.
• Some VOCs can release gas for years, while others immediately off-gas.

Federal law limits 250 g/L for flat surfaces and 380 g/L for other finishes, including semi-gloss and low luster.

The Cashmere and Emerald interior and exterior lines meet compliance standards as their VOC levels are below 50 g/L.

Nevertheless, it is important to ensure adequate ventilation when painting a space. It is recommended to allow the space to air out for two to three days following the completion of the paint project.

5. Drying Time

Cashmere and Emerald interior colorants are dry after an hour. After four hours, you may use a second layer if required. Emerald exterior takes two hours to dry, and you can add a second coat 24 to 48 hours afterward.

6. Coverage

Each gallon of both interior paints may cover 350–400 square feet.

7. Colors

There are more than 1,700 color options for the Cashmere and Emerald product line by Sherwin-Williams.

Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. Emerald: Differences

Despite certain similarities, there are far more differences between Cashmere and Emerald. Let’s examine each one in turn.

1. Exterior Paint

Cashmere is an interior paint, while the Emerald line also has exterior products. Therefore, if you need a new finish to your home’s outside, Emerald is your required tool.

2. Volume Solids

Water (or another solvent), additives, pigment, and a binding agent make up paint.

Each component has a certain function. The binder maintains the pigment and additives together, while the solvent is the medium for applying covering to a surface. The pigment gives the paint its color, while the additions give it additional properties like stain blocking or fade resistance.

The remaining layer of the paint on the wall after drying is composed of its volume solids, which include the binding agent, additives, and pigment. Paints with a higher content of volume solids are denser, providing better coverage and durability with fewer coats.

Conversely, paints with a lower volume solids content require more coats to achieve comparable results. While lower-cost paints usually contain around 35% volume solids, Cashmere and Emerald have higher levels.

Among the three, the Emerald exterior flat paint has the highest level, while the Emerald interior semi-gloss and Cashmere medium luster have the lowest.

3. Finishes

The finishes for Cashmere (which is exclusively offered in an interior formula) are flat, low luster, medium luster, pearl, and eg-shell.

Emerald is available in interior and exterior formulations. Different finishes for the emerald interior include: flat, matte, satin, and semi-gloss. Flat, satin, or gloss finishes are offered for emerald exteriors.

4. Application

The Cashmere product line is formulated to provide an effortlessly applied silky smooth texture.

In contrast, while Emerald is not as visually stunning, it is an ideal choice for heavily used areas susceptible to stains and is easy to apply.

Cashmere is designed to eliminate brush marks and create a luxurious surface pleasing to the touch. It has excellent coverage, conceals old paint, and can be easily cleaned. Its maintenance is effortless.

Cashmere gives a polished, aesthetically pleasing, and tactile finish. In contrast, Emerald is an excellent option for frequently used areas where ease of application and resistance to stains are a top priority.

5. Durability

Cashmere has a gorgeous finish, although Emerald exterior and interior paint are made to withstand family life’s demands.

Emerald interior paint is resistant to water spots and furnishing and has superior stain-preventing technology.

In terms of peeling, blistering, and fading resistance, emerald exterior colorant excels. It has a covering that resists mildew and is dirt-repellent. The recipe is reliable and has endured the test of time.

6. Antimicrobial

Emerald’s interior paint mix contains antimicrobial components that stop mold formation and mildew. Due to its quality, it is preferable to Cashmere in wet environments like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

7. Price

Although costs differ based on the finish you select, Emerald is often more expensive than Cashmere. For Emerald, you typically pay 20% or $15 more per gallon.

The price depends on sales, where you buy the product, and whether any special discounts are offered.

Can You Use Cashmere or Emerald for Kitchen Walls or Kitchen Cabinets?

Cashmere is great for traditional interior dry-wall painting, and it is the more affordable of these two. The Eg-Shel finish is better for cleaning but could be better for frequently cleaned surfaces.

Emerald’s more durable finish withstands the wear and tear of frequently cleaned and used areas. So Emerald is a better option in places like the kitchen and hallways, where you need to clean the walls from kitchen spills or dirty hands from time to time.

For the cabinets, Sherwin-Williams has an Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel paint. It is perfect for surfaces that need to be cleaned frequently.

It creates a hard, durable finish that withstands the wear and tear of frequently cleaned surfaces. It is available in various colors and custom tints in satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finish.

All of these resist yellowing compared to traditional oil-based coatings.

Which Paint Line is Better: Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. Emerald

Various factors, including the nature of the painting task, the painted surface, and the number of funds available, influence the choice between these two painting products.

Cashmere

One of the easiest paints is Cashmere, which goes on quite easily.

It offers a good selection of several sheens, a flawlessly smooth finish, and strong coverage. Additionally, it is the less expensive option, making it maybe more appropriate for bigger projects.

Emerald

Emerald might not give as lovely finish, but it meets many other requirements. The benefits include increased sturdiness, stain resistance, improved concealment of flaws, and ease of cleaning.

It also provides a far stronger defense against mold and mildew. In the end, painting external surfaces or high-moisture locations is much more suitable.

Final Thoughts

A new coat of paint can significantly affect the look of any room in your house.

A general rule is to choose well-known and tested brands when selecting paint. With Sherwin-Williams, one of the most respected brands in the industry, you can barely go wrong.

Discover More: Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. SuperPaint