i can't compare because I have only used SW but I have to say the promar 200 eggshell that we just used on our whole house did not stick well. I thought maybe it needed a primer but the the pro we had hired said that it didn't help with the primer it was still 3 coats total to cover whatever shiny paint the previous owner had used. Now that the 3 layers are on and dried it is fine.
but 3 coats takes more time and money. With the pro painter's discount about $30/gallon. Regular $50.

the pro told SW the paint wasn't sticking as well and they said they hadn't heard that complaint before. The pro speculated that the low VOC formulations weren't quite as good? He didn't really know. We did have a mildew-icide added to some of it. The plus side- no odor.

The SW staff was excellent.

You can see my paint job at photobucket.com member cheerpeople

The low VOC line at SW is called Harmony. I've used it several times w/great results. The odor is so nonexistent I slept in a bedroom the same day as we painted it without any noticable chemical smells, and I'm pretty sensitive to that. I do like this paint very much. It is kind of pricey but I think BM is pricier still, and my best advice is to sign up for email sale alerts on the SW website. I get emails for regular "private" sales every couple of weeks or so where prices are discounted 20, 30, even occasionally 40 percent. They don't publicize these sales. You just go in with a coupon you get online and they honor the sale price in the store.

To be honest, it's not that important that the paint be low voc. I just want a good quality paint that is really durable and covers well. This will be going in a mudroom and laundry room. The color that I'm looking at is universal khaki. Thanks to those who have responded.

I use SW Williams paint a lot, mainly because the local store is only a couple of miles away so it's convenient, but also because I can depend on a good outcome when I use it.

For your use, I would suggest SW Duration Matte. Duration is durable, scrubbable, covers well, and dries quickly without a lingering odor. It's recommended for high traffic areas. The matte has a very slight sheen when viewed at an angle. If you wanted more sheen, there is a satin or eggshell choice with Duration, but the matte is just as durable. I personally don't like much shine on walls as it magnifies imperfections. I have Duration in most rooms in my house. In the bedroom I have Cashmere Low Lustre-that has a satiny look and feel which reflects light attractively.

Duration and Cashmere are also low VOC. Harmony is the lowest.

The experts on the paint forum recommend priming if the walls have not been painted in ten or more years and always to apply two coats of the finish paint for the best coverage and durability. I sometimes skip the priming part if the walls are in pretty good shape, but I scuff it up a little with a screen sander or fine sandpaper, then clean the surface with Dirtex.

I like your color choice. It's one of SW's most popular colors.

I think you would be happy with the Duration.

I just painted my guest bath with SW Duration. I love it! It covered really well and there was not much odor.

I can vouch for the Duration in satin. We just had a painting disaster where our usual paint brand failed miserably. Three coats and a pro consult later, we took that paint back to the store and switched to SW. One coat of the SW fixed our problem and looks beautiful. It was easy to use and the odor dissipated quickly. I would recommend it.

I am not that familiar with SW paint and was wondering what is comparable to the aura line in Benjamin Moore

nothing

I agree w/ others about using SW duration matte. I have most of my house painted w/ this. One coat goes on beautifully. It's great bc it cleans up well, which u probably need in a mudroom. I love the color u chose; we have one shade lighter in our mb, relaxed khaki.

Thank you so much for your responses. How is touch up with the duration? I use mostly darker hues in my home and have not found any brand thus far that can be touched up without having to repaint the whole wall.

I have touched up Duration successfully (and other paints as well). Here's how to do it. Dilute the paint a little (not too much) with water. Then stipple the paint on - don't brush it. A stencil brush works well for this. Dab the brush into the paint, then blot the excess on a paper towel. Then make light stabs at the blemished area. Let dry and repeat the process if you didn't get the coverage you wanted. Trick is to go at it with a semi-dry brush and to stab, not brush.

BTW, I picked up this touch up technique at the Ellen Kennon paint website. It works like a charm, even on glossier paints.

randita- thanks for that tidbit on touchups. I have never been able to touch up successfully. Thanks so much.

I've only ever used SW Harmony when painting myself (for a newly finished basement a few years ago--primer and 2 coats of paint during middle of winter and the lack of smell was great!). Not having had previous painting experience before, I don't have anything to compare it against, but I thought Harmony was easy to work with and looked great (after getting great painting technique tips here and the hgtv forum).

Now I have a question....I think I used a satin in the Harmony line. Is Duration Matte less shiny than that? In our new house, the bldr painted everything flat, and I already have places that need wiping/cleaning, but I can't. I need to start re-painting some rooms, and also need a low sheen because I don't think the drywallers did a very good job in sanding the seams in a couple of rooms.

Thanks!

Duration matte is not shiny head on, only when you look at angle. It's a good choice for walls that are less than perfect.

When you go to the SW store, look for the display that shows you the different sheens so you can compare them. Matte is the least shiny finish offered in Duration. Then next is satin and the most shiny is semi-gloss (which works well for trim, but I prefer the Pro-Classic).

Great tip Randita!

I used the SW Duration Matte in my hallway and didn't like it. Had NOTHING to do w/ the paint - just me. I'm a dead flat matte (chalky) non-sheen lover.

Like other's mentioned it has the faintest sheen that is not noticed head on. My staircase has a big window though and the paint on the wall leading up the stairs to the landing took on a hint of shine. It always bothered me alot so I am looking forward to repainting it someday.

SW staff has always been great and I've never been disappointed w/ the paint application.