As a simple guide to these two paint finishes, satin is a little glossier than matte paint so it's more durable and easier to clean. Satin paint can also be used outside, as it copes well in all weathers. As for paint sheen levels, matte on the other hand is less reflective and is mainly used for interior walls.
Choosing Between Matte and Satin
Perhaps a satin sheen works better on the walls than matte because it's easier to clean. Does your ceiling or wall have lots of imperfections or bumps? Then you should choose matte over satin because it hides surface imperfections better.
Matte finishes are best suited for areas such as ceilings, bedrooms and dining rooms that do not see a lot of traffic or dirt. In addition, the flat finish hides imperfections and damage to walls, making it ideal for patched drywall with joint compound or new drywall installations with imperfect taping.
Pros: Matte paint hides the imperfections and flaws of the painting surface, making it great for walls in your bedroom, dining room and living room. It is also great for ceilings and any sort of touch-up or remodeling work. Cons: It takes a lot of work to keep the imperfections hidden.
Pros: A satin finish reflects more light than matte and stands up well to washing. Use in high-traffic areas such as bathrooms, the kitchen and a kid's room as well as on trim and molding throughout the house. Cons: This finish does not hide imperfections in surface or application; any touch-ups will stand out.
Satin paint has some sheen to it, and is an excellent choice for hardworking rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms. It stands up exceptionally well to scrubbing and regular cleaning. However, its glossiness highlights wall imperfections like cracks, divots or poorly patched areas.
Satin paint can be used on select low-impact surfaces like door casings, door and window trim, doors, and windows. High-impact surfaces should be painted with semi-gloss or high-gloss paint. Satin paint works well in kitchens, bathrooms, kids' rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, offices, and finished basements.
Disadvantages To Matte Finish
As we mentioned before, the matte finish absorbs light which means it won't help to make small spaces feel bigger, unlike glossy finishes that reflect light. Therefore, for kitchens that are very small, a matte finish may not be the best option.
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.
Matte finishes are just as durable and normal gloss-finished paint jobs, and just as susceptible to scratches and paint chips. However, unlike a gloss clear coat on the car's finish that can be easily polished during paint correction, the matte finish is not as simple to repair.
The Benefits Of Using Matte Paint
One of the main advantages of using matte paint in interiors is that it effectively conceals surface flaws. Its shine-free finish also offers outstanding color depth, and its smooth feel after drying makes it a favorite among home improvement enthusiasts.
As well as being susceptible to marks and stains, matte paint finishes are more difficult to clean, so experts recommend using them as one of the best paint finishes for ceilings or in low-traffic areas to ensure they stay in good condition for as long as possible.
Satin: Satin finishes are the most common interior paint finish. They have a velvety sheen and are easier to clean than flat and eggshell paints, which makes them a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, playrooms, family rooms, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
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.
Matte paint for walls is a great choice! Wall matte paints are a type of paint that is less glossy and therefore less likely to reflect light and make your walls look dirty. The Wall matte finish also makes it easier to clean up spills, as the glossier finishes tend to pick up stains more easily.
Matte finish
A major advantage of matte surfaces is that fingerprints or scratches are much less obvious as compared to glossy finishes. Furthermore, the colour of matte finish cabinets can look more consistent as there is no reflection of light to make some areas look brighter or darker than others.
Matte finishes absorb light rather than reflect it. This means they will hide bumps and other little flaws in your walls rather well. These type of finishes are not very durable, but they make for rather easy touch up jobs. Experts recommend matte finishes for bedrooms and studies.
Matte is perfect for concealing any surface blemishes on walls and as it has a lot of pigment, it's quick and easy to apply. It's best used in less busy areas as well as ceilings, as it doesn't clean as easily as satin.
Even if paint is not actually scraped away or scratched off, the color can be harmed by abrasion, especially on low-sheen finishes such as flat and matte. The problem is that low-sheen finishes contain microscopic hairs which stand on end and absorb light so that the surface does not reflect.
Matt paint is smooth and unlike sheen, doesn't reflect as much light and therefore isn't shiny. It's ideal if you've got an uneven wall covered in imperfections that you want to hide. Our wall and ceilings paint comes in matt finishes and we can match and mix 2.2 million colours!
Because of its durability, many people choose a satin finish for bathrooms, kitchens, and kids' rooms. Satin is also a popular choice for trim, especially if you want to emphasize the architecture of a space.
Satin paint is less likely to show brush strokes on walls than other finishes. Satin also doesn't show roller marks if the wall is painted at once. And since it's less shiny, it's better at hiding imperfections than gloss and semi-gloss paint.
Satin. Perhaps the best all-around player when it comes to durability. The look: Right in the middle of the sheen spectrum, a satin finish is more light-reflecting than eggshell without appearing as shiny as semigloss. The Lowdown: Hides imperfections like bumpy walls reasonably well, and it's easy to clean.