Are you considering Sherwin-Williams for your next project but can’t decide between the Cashmere and Duration lines?
In this in-depth comparison of Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. Duration, I cover the differences and similarities to help you decide which is better for you.
You’ll learn how these paint lines compare in terms of color, drying time, coverage, durability, and price.
Plus, I reveal which option the experts at Sherwin-Williams recommend.
Use the links below to navigate the comparison:
- Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. Duration: Comparison Chart
- Similarities Between Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration
- Differences Between Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration
- What the Experts at Sherwin-Williams Say
- What Others Are Saying
- Bottom Line: Should You Use Sherwin-Williams Cashmere or Duration?
Sherwin-Williams Cashmere vs. Duration: Comparison Chart
| Cashmere | Duration | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Interior | Interior and Exterior |
| Paint and Primer | Yes | Yes |
| VOCs | < 50 g/l | < 50 g/l |
| Colors | 1,700 options | 1,700 options |
| Dry Time | 4 hours before recoat | 4 hours before recoat |
| Coverage per Gallon | 350-400 square feet | 350-400 square feet |
| Interior Volume Solids | 38-41% | 33-40% |
| Exterior Volume Solids | N/A | 38-43% |
| Finishes | Flat, eggshell, low luster, medium luster, and pearl | Flat, matte, satin, and semi-gloss. |
| Appearance | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ |
| Easy to Clean | ✔ | ✔✔✔ |
| Mold & Mildew Resistance | ✔✔ | ✔✔✔ |
| Ease of Application | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ |
| Durability | ✔✔ | ✔✔✔ |
| Coverage/Hide | ✔✔ | ✔✔ |
| Price | $$ (view on Sherwin-Williams.com) | $$$ (view on Sherwin-Williams.com) |
Similarities Between Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration
Before I dive into the differences between Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration, let’s quickly review the features you get with both.
Acrylic Latex Paint
Both Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration are acrylic latex paints. Acrylic latex is a water-based paint that uses synthetic latex.
Acrylic latex is known for its high-quality coverage, color retention, and washability, making it a great choice on various painting surfaces like walls, furniture, and doors.
It is also resistant to extreme weather conditions, making it a cost-effective choice.
Paint and Primer
Another advantage of both Cashmere and Duration is that both lines are paint-and-primer combos, which saves time and money.
However, if you are painting unfinished drywall, it’s recommended that you use at least one coat of primer before applying paint.
VOCs
VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are solvents in paint, cleaning products, and adhesives. VOCs are released into the air when the paint is drying. They can linger for hours or even days, depending on the airflow in the room.
Inhaling them can potentially cause side effects like headaches and dizziness.
The federal government and the OTC (Ozone Transport Commission) limit the amount of VOCs present in paint products, so companies must comply with the limit.
Paint is considered low VOC if it contains less than 250 grams per liter. Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration paint lines are low-VOC paints; both have less than 50 grams per liter.
Regardless of a paint’s VOC level, always make sure that your painting area is well ventilated and that you take the proper precautions by wearing masks and eye protection.
Colors
When it comes to color selection, Sherwin-Williams offers over 1,700 choices, all of which are available for both the Cashmere and Duration lines.
Because there are so many options, Sherwin-Williams’ website provides many ways to help you pick your color. Choose colors by sorting through various Sherwin-Williams collections, take a color quiz, or order paint chip or peel-and-stick samples at your convenience.
Another unique option is the Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Visualizer — an interactive tool that lets you see a color choice by using a default photo or by uploading your own.
The default photos range from rooms like the living room or kitchen to an exterior shot with multiple house styles.
Dry Time
The dry times for Cashmere and Duration are the same. Sherwin-Williams recommends waiting one hour before both paints are dry to the touch and four hours before they are ready for an additional coat.
Coverage Per Gallon
How much paint will you need if you choose either of these paint lines?
For interior painting jobs, the coverage per gallon for Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration is 350-400 square feet.
It is also recommended to paint at least two coats for an interior project.
Differences Between Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration
Now that you know the similarities between Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration, let’s get into the differences.
Exterior Paint Option
If you’re planning to paint the interior and exterior of your home, Sherwin-Williams Duration offers acrylic-latex exterior paint.
Duration exterior paint is also a paint and primer in one. It’s mildew and rust resistant and comes in 100 colors.
Sherwin-Williams Cashmere is an interior paint only. So if you’re looking exclusively for exterior paint, choose the Duration line.
Volume Solids
When buying paint, an important element to pay attention to is its volume solids.
Volume solids are the amount of pigment and binder left on the wall once the paint’s thinner and solvents evaporate. Paint with higher volume solids is thicker and delivers better coverage and durability.
The charts below show the volume solids for Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and the Duration, organized by the type of finish.
Cashmere Interior:
| Finish | Volume Solids |
|---|---|
| Flat | 40% |
| Eggshell | 40% |
| Pearl | 41% |
| Low Lustre | 41% |
| Medium Lustre | 38% |
Duration Interior:
| Finish | Volume Solids |
|---|---|
| Flat | 40% |
| Matte | 40% |
| Satin | 38% |
| Semi-Gloss | 33% |
Duration Exterior:
| Finish | Volume Solids |
|---|---|
| Flat | 43% |
| Satin | 39% |
| Gloss | 38% |
| Low Lustre | 42% |
The percentages of Cashmere and Duration vary somewhat depending on the type and finish, but both paint lines have high volume solids. For comparison, the volume solids percentage of Captivate, Sherwin-Williams’ cheapest interior paint, is 34%.
Finishes
Another component to consider when choosing paint is the finish, which affects how much light it reflects when dry (i.e., how shiny it looks).
- Cashmere comes in flat, eggshell, low luster, medium luster, and pearl.
- Duration Interior comes in flat, matte, satin, and semi-gloss.
- Duration Exterior is available in flat, low luster, satin, and gloss.
Sherwin-Williams recommends a satin finish for high traffic rooms, semi-gloss for rooms that need regular cleaning, and gloss for the trim around windows and doors.
Matte and flat finishes are perfect for hiding surface damage and imperfections because they reflect less light.
For more information on selecting the right finish for your paint job, Sherwin-Williams provides this helpful guide.
Application
Another key difference between these paint lines is that Sherwin-Williams Cashmere is thinner; therefore, it’s easier to apply.
Cashmere boasts a “buttery smooth” application and finish. It doesn’t show streaks or brush strokes and provides high-quality coverage. The paint is also “self-leveling,” which helps guarantee even layers.
Antimicrobial
If you’re concerned about mold or mildew, Duration paint is the better choice.
It contains antimicrobial agents that stop mold and mildew from growing on painted surfaces.
In addition, the paint is moisture resistant to help prolong the paint’s life and durability, making it the perfect option for bathrooms and kitchens.
Cleaning
Accidents happen. So paint needs to be easy to clean if it gets stained.
Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration paint don’t need much to clean up messes. All you need is water to wipe away a spill or mark. If that doesn’t work, add a little mild soap and try again.
The one difference in this category is that Duration has superior washability. In other words, it can handle more rigorous scrubbing without altering its appearance.
Regardless, use a gentle solution and soft sponge or microfiber cloth to avoid damaging the finish.
Price
In general, Sherwin-Williams Duration costs more than Cashmere by an average of ten dollars per gallon.
Cashmere ranges between $53 and $58 per gallon, while Duration interior ranges between $62 and $68 per gallon.
Duration exterior is more expensive, ranging from $74 to $81 per gallon.
Of course, prices are always subject to change, but Duration will always be more expensive than Cashmere.
To compare the current prices, go to Sherwin-Williams.com (Cashmere, Duration).
What the Experts at Sherwin-Williams Say
Nobody knows Cashmere and Duration paint better than the experts at Sherwin-Williams.
So, to get their take, I spent some time discussing the differences with a product specialist at the Mansfield, Massachusetts, Sherwin-Williams store.
She told me that washability is the most significant difference between Cashmere and Duration paint. In short, Cashmere doesn’t wash as well as Duration.
Duration will hold up much better when you wash the walls with soap and water after accidentally scuffing them with furniture, vacuums, or anything else.
With Duration, you can get away with using sponges like the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but not with Cashmere.
She mentioned that if you don’t have kids or pets, Cashmere holds up fine. But if your walls are constantly getting nicked, the superior washability of Duration is worth it.
The second most significant difference she called out was durability. Duration paint is less likely to get dinged up or chipped when you accidentally bump into the walls.
She had good things to say about Cashmere, too. Besides the lower price, Cashmere paint offers excellent application and ease of use. It’s one of Sherwin-Willaims’ easiest paints to apply, and it levels incredibly well.
She also mentioned that Cashmere is thinner than Duration, which means it washes out of brushes and rollers easily.
Overall, Cashmere is the paint she recommends most to DIYers because its ease of application and clean-up make the project go smoother.
Plus, spending more for better washability and durability isn’t necessary for most rooms.
What Others Are Saying
To get a broader perspective, let’s review what other experts have to say about Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration paint.
The popular home improvement website The Spruce named Sherwin-Williams Cashmere the best overall interior paint. It snagged the top choice spot due to its extremely smooth finish and even layers. The Spruce praised Cashmere for its coverage and ability to hide colors you’re painting over.
The New York Times named Cashmere runner-up in its “Best Interior Paint” list. The reviewers claimed that Cashmere shared many of the same qualities as the number one pick (Benjamin Moore Regal Select) and was highly regarded by professional painters. The paint’s coverage and application quality were excellent, but the reviewers noted that Cashmere is slightly more expensive than the top pick.
Cashmere earned “Easiest Application” from Country Living. Once again, Cashmere is praised for its buttery consistency and even coating. The coverage quality is also praised.
Bob Vila named Duration Exterior the “Best Overall” exterior paint. The article praises Duration for its resistance to cracking, ability to withstand colder weather, low VOCs, and extensive color choices.
Overall, Sherwin-Williams Cashmere is featured more often in “Best Paint” lists than the Duration line.
Bottom Line: Should You Use Sherwin-Williams Cashmere or Duration?
Both Sherwin-Williams Cashmere and Duration lines have admirable qualities, but before I tell you which paint I recommend, let’s review the key points:
- Both paints are acrylic latex, include primer in the formula, and are low-VOC.
- Cashmere and Duration are both available in the same 1,700 colors.
- The dry times are the same for both paints — one hour until the paint is dry to the touch and four hours between coats.
- Only Duration offers both interior and exterior paint.
- The volume solids in both paints are high but vary depending on the finish.
- Sherwin-Williams Cashmere is easier to apply with a buttery texture and smooth finish.
- The Duration line comes equipped with antimicrobial agents that resist mold and mildew.
- Duration offers superior washability and durability.
- On average, Duration costs $10 more per gallon than Cashmere.
- Cashmere has consistently excellent reviews and is on more “Best Paint” lists than Duration.
Bottom Line — if you’re painting an area that’s high risk for scuffs and stains, choose Sherwin-Williams Duration. Simply put, the paint is more durable.
For an impressively smooth finish and application, go with Cashmere. It applies easily and evenly and doesn’t show streaks or paint lines. And, because it’s slightly thinner, it washes out of brushes and rollers with less mess.
For most homeowners, I recommend Cashmere. It’s easy to work with and plenty durable. Plus, you’ll save about $10 per gallon.
Learn more about Cashmere and Duration paint on Sherwin-Williams.com.
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