The main difference between eggshell and semi-gloss paint is the sheen. Eggshell is nearly matte with just the slightest hint of shine. Semi-gloss reflects far more light, giving it a far more noticeable sheen. However, there are also differences when it comes to coverage, durability, and more.
WHEN TO USE EGGSHELL PAINT: Eggshell is commonly used in living rooms and dining rooms, as it is durable and does not pick up dirt easily. If your walls have bumps or imperfections, an extra coat of eggshell can disguise them more easily than satin or high-gloss finishes.
The difference is easy to notice and appreciate. Semi-gloss also dries harder, lasts longer, and is overall more durable than eggshell. This is why using semi-gloss in high-traffic areas of your home like the kitchen, the living room, and the dinning room is a good choice.
Along with its closest sibling, satin, eggshell is the one to pick if you have to use it for the walls on nearly every interior surface.
The glossier satin sheen translates to a slicker surface that's slightly quicker and easier to wipe clean of dust, dirt, mildew, and mold. Eggshell requires more elbow grease to get clean because it has more pigments, and the coarse pigment particles make for a rougher surface.
Can You Paint Gloss On Top Of Eggshell? Sure. Almost anything can be painted over (except wallpaper). You just need to go right over the existing surface.
Even more reflective than satin with a smooth sheen, semi-gloss paint gives rooms a shiny, sleek appearance. Because it offers high resistance to moisture, it works well in areas with higher humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, as well as high-traffic spaces like doors and utility rooms.
When compared to flat paint finish, eggshell is much more durable and cleanable, and it can be used in higher-traffic areas where flat paint would chip or become damaged. While flat paint is typically cheaper than eggshell, it doesn't last as long since it will become chalky and fade faster than eggshell.
Although both matte and eggshell paints are durable, eggshell finishes tend to be the more durable of the two.
Flat paint costs significantly less than eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss. If I were building a new home, I would want eggshell painted on my walls. Eggshell is wipeable, and is also stronger on the walls than a flat paint.
If the paint is matte (has no shine), it is most likely eggshell. Run your fingers over the wall. If the paint feels smooth and slightly slippery under your fingers, it is most likely satin. If the paint feels slightly rough—like a real eggshell—it is most likely eggshell.
Satin is more durable and shinier than eggshell and is ideal for a bathroom. It's also easy to clean. Use it for the walls, ceiling, and even the trim, because many satin finishes are tougher than they once were. Semi-gloss is even tougher and a cinch to clean.
A semi-gloss paint finish will read "shinier" than an eggshell. The shinier finish gives it more durability - making it even easier to clean with a harder dried film that is tougher and can take more wear and tear, but there's a downside. The more reflective the finish, the more imperfections it will show.
Eggshell finishes are often used in bathrooms, kitchens, kids' rooms, and other high-traffic areas. Semigloss is tougher than eggshell, so it will show less wear. It reflects even more light when dry, though, so if there are any imperfections on your walls before you paint, they'll stand out.
An eggshell finish has a subtler shine to it, so it's a great choice if you're not ready for satin. It offers what you may expect - it's shinier than flat (but not as glossy as satin), and it's easier to clean than flat (but not as easy to clean as satin).
You can apply eggshell paint over flat paint. This is because eggshell paint and flat paints are water-based paints. So both paints are very compatible. You can even mix eggshell paint and flat paints since both paints have no sheen or gloss.
Eggshell finish
"It is the easiest paint to wipe clean and is great for all areas of the home, including bathrooms and kitchens," she says.
Eggshell is commonly used in living rooms and dining rooms — it is durable and does not pick up dirt easily. “Eggshell paint is best suited for areas such as ceilings, bedrooms, dining rooms, and living areas where there is not a lot of dirt buildup or traffic,” she points out.
In addition to flat, eggshell paint is the next most popular ceiling paint finish. Despite their low sheen, eggshell paints absorb most light and hide imperfections in the ceiling. The cleaning process of higher sheen paints is easier than that of flat paints, however.
Unlike flat paint, eggshell bounces light around the room while resisting the inevitable stains and scuffs of everyday life. Select a satin finish for a slightly more reflective look. Satin also offers more durability, making it a great finish for family rooms, hallways, and kids' spaces.
Use your gloss paint as it is, applying one or two coats as necessary, then apply a topcoat of flat varnish. You can buy varnish products specifically made for this purpose.
Often confused with other finishes, the difference between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a higher gloss, while offering better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell. Satin paint is ideal for areas that crave definition.
If you want to paint over gloss with gloss there's no need to use it. Just give the surface a clean and sand before painting. What is this? If you are painting over gloss woodwork with a satin or eggshell finish, you also won't need to use this primer.
Suppose you intend to upgrade semi gloss painted surface with eggshell; the most appropriate way is to sand down the wall. But can you use eggshell over semi gloss without sanding? Yes, it is possible to paint eggshell over semi-gloss without sanding. However, the process calls for thorough preparations.