OUR RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
The recommended paint for kitchen cabinets — and the question we field more than almost any other — is a waterborne alkyd enamel, specifically Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel or Benjamin Moore Advance. Both cure to a hard, scrubbable finish that holds up to grease, steam, and daily use far better than standard latex wall paint. That's the short answer. The longer answer depends on your cabinet material, current finish condition, and how much prep work gets done first.
Owner Sabrina Williams built SPPI's product recommendations on 40-plus years of field experience in metro Atlanta — not on whatever the big-box store is promoting this quarter. We'll tell you exactly what we'd put on our own cabinets, and we won't upsell you on a premium product when a mid-line option is the smarter call for your specific job.
Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel is our first recommendation for most kitchen cabinet projects. It's a waterborne alkyd hybrid, which means it applies and cleans up like a latex but cures to a hard, solvent-based finish. Blocking — where the door sticks to the face frame — is minimal compared to straight latex enamels. Benjamin Moore Advance is a close second, particularly in darker colors where it shows brush marks less on vertical stiles. Both are available in a full sheen range; we almost always recommend semi-gloss or satin for cabinet boxes and doors. Don't let anyone talk you into flat paint on cabinets. It won't survive a single season in a working kitchen.
Exterior Paint: Duration vs. SuperPaint
For exterior siding and trim in the Atlanta metro, we've relied on Sherwin-Williams Duration as our go-to for over a decade. It's a self-priming, 100% acrylic with a lifetime limited warranty from the manufacturer and genuine resistance to the humidity cycles that hammer painted surfaces in Georgia summers. SuperPaint is a solid step down in price — still a quality coating — and the right call when budget matters more than maximum longevity. If your HOA in a Gwinnett, DeKalb, or Fulton suburban community restricts color choices, both lines cover the full Sherwin-Williams palette so you can match whatever the covenant requires. Exterior painting in metro Atlanta performs best between 50°F and 90°F; the recommended temperature for exterior painting is above 50°F with humidity below 85% — conditions we track before every project start.
Interior Paint: What We Actually Recommend
Behr Marquee is our interior recommendation for homeowners doing color changes — especially deep-to-light or light-to-deep swaps. The built-in primer means one coat genuinely covers in most cases, which cuts labor and drying time. The trade-off is you must stay within the Behr Marquee color collection; custom colors outside that deck won't get the same hide guarantee. For trim, doors, and any surface that takes abuse, we switch to a waterborne alkyd enamel rather than the wall paint. VOC levels matter indoors: VOC stands for volatile organic compounds — solvents like xylol, acetone, mineral spirits, and ethylene glycol that off-gas as paint dries. Low-VOC and zero-VOC formulas from both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore are available and are worth requesting if you have children, pets, or respiratory sensitivities in the household.
We'll Use What You Choose
SPPI defaults to Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore because decades of results have earned that trust. But if you have a preferred product — a specific Benjamin Moore color your designer specified, a Farrow & Ball shade you've had your heart set on, or a commercial coating your property manager requires — just mention it when you request your estimate. We don't charge a sourcing fee, and we won't pressure you toward a product that benefits us more than it benefits your project. That's not how Sabrina Williams built this company, and it's not how we operate today.
Free Estimate — 48-Hour Response
Call 770-985-3075 or submit an estimate request online. We'll visit your property within 48 hours and deliver a written, itemized quote that lists every surface, the exact coating system and product name, the prep work required, and the project timeline. No vague allowances. No line items that balloon later. The estimate is always free, and there's no obligation. If you're comparing bids from other painters, ask each one to name the specific product they plan to use — not just the brand. That single question tells you a lot about whether they know what they're doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paint is recommended for kitchen cabinets?
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel and Benjamin Moore Advance are the two products we recommend most for kitchen cabinets. Both are waterborne alkyd hybrids that cure hard, resist moisture and grease, and don't block (stick) the way straight latex enamels can. Semi-gloss or satin sheen is the right call for most kitchens. Flat and eggshell finishes won't hold up to cleaning.
What does VOC mean, and should I care about it?
VOC stands for volatile organic compounds — the solvents in paint that evaporate as it dries. Examples include mineral spirits, xylol, acetone, and ethylene glycol. High-VOC products off-gas more aggressively during and after application, which matters if you have kids, pets, or anyone with respiratory issues in the home. Low-VOC and zero-VOC options are available from both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore across most of their interior lines — just ask when you request your estimate.
What's the recommended temperature for exterior painting?
Most quality exterior coatings — including Sherwin-Williams Duration and SuperPaint — require surface and air temperatures above 50°F and below 90°F, with humidity under 85%. In metro Atlanta, that rules out the peak of summer afternoons and most winter mornings. We track weather conditions before every exterior project start and won't apply paint outside the manufacturer's spec window. Cutting corners on application temperature is how you get peeling within a year.
Do you use the same paint for every project?
No. We default to Sherwin-Williams for exterior work (Duration or SuperPaint depending on scope) and Behr Marquee or a waterborne alkyd for interiors — but the right product depends on the surface, the existing coating, the sheen needed, and your budget. If you have a preferred brand or a product your designer specified, tell us during the estimate and we'll work with it.
What's the difference between Sherwin-Williams Duration and SuperPaint?
Duration is Sherwin-Williams' premium exterior line. It's self-priming, carries a lifetime limited manufacturer warranty, and has stronger resistance to humidity and UV — both of which are serious factors in Georgia. SuperPaint is a tier below in price but still a quality 100% acrylic coating. For most repaint projects on sound surfaces, SuperPaint performs well. For new construction, significant weathering, or situations where you want maximum longevity before repainting, Duration is the better investment.
How do I find recommended painters near me in metro Atlanta?
Start by asking any painter you're considering to name the specific product — not just the brand — they plan to use on your project. A knowledgeable contractor can tell you the exact paint line, the sheen, and why it's the right call for your surface. SPPI has served the Atlanta metro since 1984 under owner Sabrina Williams and carries $1M general liability coverage plus workers' compensation. Call 770-985-3075 for a free, itemized estimate with a 48-hour response.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. SPPI provides free, itemized estimates across metro Atlanta. We visit your property within 48 hours, inspect every surface in person, and deliver a written quote that lists the specific coating system, prep work, and timeline — no vague numbers. Call 770-985-3075 or request online.
Call 770-985-3075 or request your free estimate online. Sabrina Williams' team responds within 48 hours with a written, itemized quote — no pressure, no guesswork.