Flat paint will always be better for builders and painters. It costs less, downplays flaws in drywall, and can be touched up easily without showing roller marks. In new builds, it is almost always used by builders and painters. Painters often paint rooms that require modifications after initial painting.
Flat and Matte finish paints are ideal for covering walls that have flaws or blemishes. Even larger imperfections, such as extensive scuffs and nail pops can get covered and camouflaged since Flat Paints are effective at absorbing light, in essence, “hiding” the bumps and lines that exist on every wall.
Flat paint, although it is inferior in many ways, is the best at touching-up. The lack of shine make the paint blend better with the previous paint. Builders do not like to have to paint walls edge to edge, so they use flat paint.
It depends on the surface you are painting. For interior walls in high-traffic spaces like a mudroom, satin or eggshell finishes work best. Flat or matte finishes work best for most ceilings and semi-gloss is recommended for interior trim and doors.
If your wall has imperfections like uneven texture, patches or joints, flat paint will absorb light and make them less noticeable. However, flat finishes are not very durable and need to be carefully cleaned. Scrubbing flat paint could wear down the finish and cause sheen to appear in patchy spots.
You shouldn't use flat paint on high-traffic areas, like bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms because it's the hardest to clean. But, if you're using a high quality flat paint, you'll be able to scrub away any imperfections on the wall after 30 days of painting the surface.
From the perspective of a Color Designer/Consultant, I typically specify eggshell on walls for multiple reasons that benefit the people who are dwelling in the home. Eggshell paint cleans easier, covers better, wears better, and lasts longer than flat paint.
Flat, eggshell and satin paint are best for interior walls, whereas semi-gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork. An eggshell finish has a subtler shine to it, so it's a great choice if you're not ready for satin.
Flat paint works best in low-traffic areas, such as the master bedroom, a study, or a formal living room. “Be careful if you are someone like me who is constantly moving furniture around or has children with particularly grubby fingers—flat doesn't clean up quite as easily,” Henderson says.
Emulsion Paints -The Popular Choice
(Emulsion paints are the best quality paints for interior walls and are great for high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens.) Now this one is a sure-shot winner! Firstly, it is water-based paint, so there are no uncouth odours.
But flat paints can be hard to clean since their porous texture can trap dirt and grime. And since flat paint doesn't resist water like glossier paint does, cleaning it may leave behind unwanted streaks that can make an already dirty wall seem even worse.
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.
The difference between flat and matte paint is so small they're largely interchangeable. Ultimately, it comes down to gloss level. Flat finish has an ever so slightly lower gloss percentage, around 5%, with matte finish around 5-10%. Even though it's small, this difference does affect durability.
“Flat finishes are most common on the walls. I think that's the most aesthetically pleasing, but it's also the most forgiving because the flatter the paint, the more imperfections it hides on the wall itself,” Kesselman explains.
Low sheen paints are the most popular finish because they are easy to clean and are more durable than the flatter finishes. The slight sheen level can highlight any surface imperfections but are an ideal choice for walls in high traffic areas.
Satin finishes are the most commonly used paint for interior walls. They are easier to clean than flat and eggshell paints, which makes them a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms, and playrooms.
In the living room and dining room, opt for an eggshell or satin finish.
If your space has huge windows and lots of natural light, a flat paint finish can work well. If you want something more shiny and reflective, choose satin or semi-gloss. If you don't want your walls totally lustrous, you can paint trim or crown molding with a semi-gloss sheen.
A washable finish is a necessity for high-traffic rooms, so flat or matte paint finishes are out. Eggshell or satin finishes are a good choice for stain resistance, durability, long wear, coverage, and ease of cleaning.
For paint that will provide decent durability without the reflectivity of high-gloss finishes, choose a satin finish. Cost: Eggshell paint is more cost-effective than satin paint. Homeowners looking to save at the paint store or repaint large areas are better off going with an eggshell finish.
High Gloss
The most durable and easy to clean of all paint sheens, high-gloss paint is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. Think appliance-paint tough. High gloss is a good choice for areas that sticky fingers touch — cabinets, trim, and doors.
In many such situations, the builder, seller, or low-cost painter used a low-grade flat paint for three reasons: the first is that it is inexpensive; the second is that it is easy to touch up; the third is that it hides imperfections in the drywall walls.
Eggshell paint sheen is popular for many good reasons. It is an attractive, one-size-fits-all paint sheen that draws out the best in a paint's color. At the same time, eggshell is cleanable and somewhat resistant to wear and tear.
Flat or Matte
This can be great for touch-up work, as the flat finish will conceal many imperfections in your walls. A flat or matte finish is a great choice for walls and ceilings throughout your property. It's easy to touch-up, simple, and likely won't ever put-off potential renters (depending on the color).