Is eggshell or flat better for walls?

Author: Noble Carter  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 15, 2023

You can't really go wrong with eggshell finish on your walls. Sometimes called satin finish, eggshell has slightly more luster than a flat finish, but you won't be left with shiny walls. It also resists stains better than flat and can be wiped with a wet rag.

Which paint finish is best for walls?

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.

Should I use eggshell on my walls?

Eggshell paint sheen works especially well for walls in bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, offices, and finished basements. It can even be used in higher traffic spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms or children's rooms, though satin is a more durable choice.

Should I use flat paint on my walls?

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.

Do builders use flat or eggshell paint?

However, if satin or eggshell is used, those spots generally cannot be touched up, so the entire wall has to be repainted. This is not cost-effective for the general contractor, the painters, or the homeowner. Therefore, builders use low-grade flat paint we painters refer to as builder-grade flat.

How To Pick The Right Paint Finish! | House Paint Finishes Explained

What looks better flat or eggshell?

You can't really go wrong with eggshell finish on your walls. Sometimes called satin finish, eggshell has slightly more luster than a flat finish, but you won't be left with shiny walls. It also resists stains better than flat and can be wiped with a wet rag.

When should you use eggshell paint?

  1. One of the most popular types of wall paint, eggshell finish provides a low sheen and a soft, smooth finish just like a true eggshell.
  2. Perfect for low- to mid-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, entryways and family rooms.
  3. Eggshell paint is more washable than flat sheens, and it resists stains and scuffs.

What is the disadvantage of flat paint?

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.

Why do people use flat paint on walls?

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.

Why do painters like flat paint?

Flat paint has more pigment than any other finish, which is why it's also known as concealer paint—it's also called matte paint. It's completely nonreflective, so the paint will soak up any light directed at it. Flat paint tends to be easier to apply than other finishes, and it also usually a less expensive option.

What is the disadvantage of eggshell paint?

Eggshell Finish

The Cons: It is very hard to touch up. Because it has the slight sheen to it, it's almost impossible to only add a new layer in small areas without it being visible. Usually a “touch-up” of eggshell means re-doing a full wall. Best For: Walls in any room where you want a little more sheen.

What are the pros and cons of eggshell paint?

Eggshell, as its name suggests, is a no-shine finish with very little luster to it. While this paint isn't as durable as the higher gloss products, it covers wall imperfections very well and works on walls that don't get a lot of bumps or scuffs.

Should walls be eggshell or matte?

Ideally, eggshell paint is best suited for ceilings, bedrooms, dining rooms and living areas where there is not a lot of dirt build-up or traffic. In addition, its medium-level durability provides added protection that a flat finish does not. For areas such as walls, eggshell works best and is easier to clean.

What do professionals use to paint walls?

Use a Bucket

Pros prefer 5-gallon buckets with a roller grid to roller pans. They hold more paint than pans and, says Doherty, “It's tougher to tip over a bucket.” A bucket also lets you box, or mix, two or three cans of paint to avoid color discrepancies.

What paint finish do professionals use?

Matte Paint

Regal® Select Interior Matte (N548) is a professional painter favorite for its ease of application and smooth feel after drying. Matte finish paint also withstands frequent washing, even when applied in busier areas like hallways and family rooms.

What finish is best for white walls?

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.

What are the pros and cons of flat wall paint?

Matte and Flat
  • Pros: Matte and flat finishes cover imperfections in surface and application, making them a great choice for ceilings as well as walls in the bedroom, dining room and living room. ...
  • Cons: In general, they hold dirt and are difficult to clean because cleaning can actually remove the finish.

Is flat paint best for living room walls?

Flat paint works best in low-traffic areas, such as the master bedroom, a study, or a formal living room.

Should walls be painted flat or satin?

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.

Why can't you clean flat paint?

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.

What is the most forgiving paint finish?

If you are looking for a well-saturated wall that has rich results, you'll want to go with a flat finish. Flat paint is the most forgiving finish with the best color payout.

How long does flat paint last on walls?

A general rule of thumb is that a well-done interior paint job will last between 5-10 years, and potentially even longer. However, your paint's longevity is based on a bunch of different factors.

What is the benefit of eggshell paint?

The texture of eggshell paint, combined with its slight shine helps to scatter light that hits surfaces coated in this paint, hiding surface imperfections and adding colour depth, in a similar way to paint with higher-gloss finishes but without the gloss-like shine.

Does eggshell paint need two coats?

We recommend two coats of this eggshell interior paint in order to achieve full depth of colour. Each coat of Interior Eggshell will be surface dry within one hour, and ready for a second coat after four hours of drying time.

Does eggshell paint look darker than flat?

Eggshell paint just looks richer than flat paint. The slightly higher sheen creates light reflection, which in turn gives the colors more depth and richness. Depth of color is what makes colors interesting and dynamic, especially if you are painting neutral paint colors.

Previous article
What does overwatered hydrangea look like?
Next article
What are the feng shui kitchen colors?