Builders do not like to have to paint walls edge to edge, so they use flat paint. During the building process, there are many trades that come into the home and damage the paint job. This makes it easier to fix.
Therefore, builders use low-grade flat paint we painters refer to as builder-grade flat. If you live in a home painted this was by a builder, a seller, or a low-cost painter, you know that this flat finish wears badly, scuffs easily, is chalky, and you cannot clean it, or it comes off.
Contractors are often requested to use low- or zero-VOC paints, and this is something they can get from Sherwin-Williams in a variety of their paint lines. Sherwin-Williams paint is thick because it uses more solids, which makes it easier to work with and will cover more surface area.
Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why we chose this as our ultimate finish for walls. The name eggshell stems from the fact the finish appears mostly flat with just a touch of luster... similar to a chicken egg!
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.
Sherwin Williams Extra White SW 7006 / LRV: 86
It's one of Sherwin Williams' most popular paint colors—in fact, most painters give their clients Extra White if they don't know what trim paint white color to use. Many builders also use Extra White as their standard base trim color.
Reason #3 for Why Builders Use Flat Paint – Some builders use flat paint because they just do not build a very good home. Poor quality of some trades, like drywall contractors, or framers, can make imperfections pop out if there is a sheen in the paint. Using flat paint keeps imperfections from being so noticeable.
Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.
Eggshell sheen can potentially give a room a greater visual depth than the flatter matte finish. Matte sheens do not reflect light as much as an eggshell or even glossier finish. In fact, they can actually absorb light!
But it's the least durable of all paint finishes and doesn't stand up to cleaning and scrubbing like shinier finishes. With its low scratch and moisture resistance, a flat finish isn't a good choice for bathrooms, kitchens, kids' rooms, hallways, and other walls that get a lot of wear, tear, or traffic.
Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are some of the best paint brands on earth. Both painting companies make quality paint used widely by professional painters and DIY-warrior homeowners alike.
Sherwin Williams and Behr are the two highest-rated paint brands in the USA, with Behr having a Trust Index Quotient Score of 120 points and Sherwin Williams coming in with 119.9 points.
Emulsion Paint
Emulsion paints are characterized by their fast drying and hardening, and surfaces can be cleaned easily with water. Once applied, enamel paints offer durability, good color retention, and alkali resistance. Emulsion paints are commonly used for interior walls, ceilings and masonry work.
Flat paint soaks up light and hides imperfections, while satin paint reflects light and may highlight them. Satin paint is best for smooth walls with no imperfections. Flat paint is best for bedrooms, offices, and calm spaces. Consider how you use the space and how frequently you clean the walls before deciding.
New home.
For example, we recommend the use of breathable paint, such as a contract matt emulsion, as the new plaster dries out during the initial few months. Or why not have a word with our specification team about the products you should use to avoid the yellowing often associated with new build environments.
Most ceiling paints have a flat (or matte) finish. A flat finish doesn't reflect lights and will hide most irregularities and defects in the ceiling. On the other hand, reflective sheens draw the eye upward and can detract from the rest of the room. Another benefit of a flat finish is that it doesn't scuff easily.
Color Considerations
We all know that lighter colors emphasize imperfections while darker colors hide them. This also has to do with light and reflection. Lighter colors reflect more light while darker shades absorb it.
Choosing Your Paint
Stay away from flat paint as it looks awful when it becomes dirty. Instead, we recommend that you choose eggshell, semi-gloss, matte, or satin paints, and be sure to choose a lighter color for the walls as it will make your garage look brighter and cleaner.
Where to Use Eggshell Paint. Eggshell paint is ideal for walls in medium-to-high-traffic areas, such as bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. While generally used on walls, eggshell paint can also be used on trim, molding, and skirting boards.
Short or medium pile microfibre mini rollers are the best when applying water-based, woodwork paints, such as Quick Dry Eggshell, Quick Dry Satinwood or Quick Dry Gloss. Avoid using foam mini rollers when applying Quick Dry products, as these can cause paint bubbles to form when rolled onto the surface.
Eggshell paint offers a soft sheen that adds elegance and is more washable than flat paint, making it ideal for moderate-traffic areas.
Flat paint has a low-sheen finish that helps reduce glare in high-glare areas. This makes it great for ceilings or rooms with lots of light reflectors, like bathrooms or living rooms. However, the lower level of gloss can make flat paint vulnerable to staining and marks from spills and fingerprints.
What is Builder's Beige? Builder's Beige is the generic colour that most new homes come with. It usually is the colour that a builder uses for an entire subdivision of homes. These colours may actually have sophisticated sounding names but they are just different shades of builder's beige.
Flat or matte paint finish: This is a low-sheen finish that is non-reflective and good for concealing patches and cracks. It is best for low traffic areas like bedrooms and ceilings. Eggshell finish: This is a washable, non-glossy finish with a subdued velvety appearance.