The overall best Sherwin-Williams trim paint is Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. It is a water-based, urethane-modified formula that mimics the rock-hard durability and smooth, self-leveling finish of traditional oil-based paints, but without the strong odors or yellowing.
High gloss paint is the most reflective option, offering a shiny, lustrous finish. This durable sheen can create a high glare, making it perfect for surfaces that need to stand out. Use high gloss for: Trim.
Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration are both high-quality interior paints, but they are built for entirely different purposes. Cashmere is optimized for a luxurious, smooth, velvety finish, while Duration is a heavy-duty, scrubbable paint designed for superior durability and stain resistance in high-traffic areas.
The best Sherwin-Williams paint for baseboards is Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. It mimics the hard, durable finish of traditional oil-based paint but remains water-based for easy cleanup and no yellowing over time.
The best paint for trim and baseboards is a water-based urethane alkyd enamel in a semi-gloss or satin finish, which offers superior durability, easy cleaning, and a smooth, self-leveling finish without the odor of oil-based paints. Top recommendations include Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, Benjamin Moore Advance, and Behr Premium Cabinet & Trim.
Semi-gloss finish: This is the best finish for your trims such as baseboards, mouldings and even cabinets and doors. It's also a good choice for highly trafficked area that gets lots of wear and tear such as a mudroom.
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint is a dependable, mid-range paint with excellent breathability, making it ideal for older homes or budget-friendly projects. Duration is a thicker, premium coating featuring advanced cross-linking resins. It provides superior durability, dirt resistance, and longevity, making it the better choice for high-traffic areas or extreme weather.
The most popular Sherwin-Williams trim colors are crisp, versatile whites that complement almost any wall color. Top choices include High Reflective White (cleanest, brightest), Pure White (versatile, balanced), Alabaster (soft, warm), and Extra White (crisp, slight cool tone).
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and Color Properties
With its LRV hovering around 3, Tricorn Black absorbs approximately 97% of the light that hits its surface, creating that deep, rich appearance that makes it so desirable for high-impact design applications.
Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Emerald are both premium paints, but they serve different purposes. Cashmere is a budget-friendly "designer" paint with a smooth, rich, and velvety finish perfect for low-traffic areas. Emerald is a premium, highly durable acrylic built to withstand heavy scrubbing, making it ideal for high-traffic zones.
Neither finish is universally better; the right choice depends on the room's traffic and your aesthetic preference. Use Improovy to see a direct comparison. Satin is a top choice for high-traffic, mess-prone areas, while matte excels in spaces where you want to minimize glare and hide wall imperfections.
Sherwin-Williams’ highest quality, premium paint line is Emerald. Priced at a premium point, it features advanced, self-cross-linking acrylic technology that creates an exceptionally durable, smooth finish with top-tier stain resistance, washability, and fade protection.
For interior trim, semi-gloss is the industry standard because it offers the perfect balance of durability, scuff resistance, and washability. However, if you prefer a more modern, softer look with less shine, satin is an excellent alternative.
Sherwin-Williams Emerald is a luxury, top-tier paint featuring advanced cross-linking resins and excellent stain-blocking technology. In contrast, SuperPaint is a dependable, mid-tier "workhorse" formulated with solid acrylics. Emerald offers superior longevity, washability, and scratch resistance, while SuperPaint delivers great value but requires more frequent repainting.
At Sherwin-Williams, eggshell and satin are essentially the same finish, though there is often a slight overlap depending on the specific product line. Generally, "eggshell" is used in contractor-grade or builder lines, while "satin" is used in premium lines, but both sit at a low-to-medium reflective sheen.
Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. Give cabinets, doors and trim a smooth, luxurious finish with Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel. This water-based enamel paint resists yellowing compared to traditional oil based coatings and creates a hard durable finish that withstands the wear and tear of frequently cleaned and used areas.
Steely, cool grays are being replaced by warmer, earthy neutrals. Instead of flat greys, designers are favoring cozy, nature-inspired hues that bring depth and comfort to interiors.
The best paint for baseboards and trim is a high-quality water-based alkyd urethane enamel in a semi-gloss or satin sheen. Top choices include Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, Benjamin Moore Advance, and Behr Premium Cabinet, Door & Trim Enamel. These provide a durable, smooth, scuff-resistant finish that cures hard.
Sherwin Williams A100 Vs Superpaint
Superpaint is better in adhesion, hide resistance and washability than sherwin williams a100. Although they have the same ease of application, Superpaint's durability and final appearance are much better than A-100's.
SuperPaint is Sherwin Williams' mid-range exterior option. It typically lasts 5 – 7 years, and it is best for older homes (40+ years) and cedar, since it lets surfaces “breathe”.
Weathered Surfaces: If the existing paint is weathered, faded, or peeling, applying two coats is generally recommended to ensure proper coverage, adhesion, and protection against moisture and UV damage.
For trim, satin is the superior choice over eggshell. Satin provides higher durability, withstands frequent wiping, and offers a slight, elegant luster that makes architectural features stand out. Eggshell is generally too soft for high-traffic trim areas and is best reserved for walls.
If you're looking for the exact height to go with, you can use the 7% rule – choose a height closest to 7% of the overall height of your room. So here are some examples: For a room that is 7ft in ceiling height (84 inches), you would use a baseboard height of roughly 5.88 inches or taller.
The current trend for baseboards favors minimalist, clean, and seamless designs. The most popular styles are tall, flat-stock profiles with square or slightly eased edges, frequently painted the exact same color as the walls to elongate the room visually.