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.
'Eggshell paint has a higher sheen level than matte paint,' says James Greenwood, paint and wallpaper expert at Graham & Brown, 'making it better for baseboards and doors whereas matte has less sheen and is thus better for walls.
A matte finish is a good option for low-traffic areas such as dining rooms and adult bedrooms. An eggshell finish has a slight sheen and is more washable and durable than a matte finish. Eggshell paint can be used in guest rooms and living rooms. It's also a popular choice for trim and exterior walls.
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.
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).
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.
Patchiness usually happens if you don't use enough paint, or apply it unevenly. Using a touch more paint, and painting in small sections one at a time, usually does the trick. Also, rolling in a grid fashion will get you an even finish too. But, sometimes, changes in the gloss level leave things patchy.
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.
Because eggshell is less lustrous than satin, it is also slightly less durable. That being said, it will still hold up better than flat or matte finishes would. Eggshell paint is a great option for walls in medium- to low-traffic areas, and can be easily cleaned.
Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why our founder, Nicole, an interior designer, 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 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.
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.
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.
Satin, eggshell and flat/matte are typically best for interior painting of walls. Gloss and semi-gloss paint are best for doors, baseboards, trim, cabinets, and woodwork.
Emulsion Paint
It is the best paint for home walls as it dries quickly and remains flexible even when exposed to high temperatures. Emulsion paint is highly durable, long-lasting, and washable. It is resistant to fungus, mildew, and other contaminants that can cause discolouration.
Eggshell is durable and washable, but not as much as high-gloss paint. It adds more dimension to a room compared to a flat finish. Flat paint is not easy to wash either. You can say eggshell is the best of both worlds.
It all comes down to personal choice as to which is the best option for your project. As a guide, choose eggshell if you want a low sheen with a soft-touch finish. And for something with more luster, go for satin.
It's no secret that modern day oil-based paint such as gloss, satinwood and eggshell will start to discolour and turn yellow fairly quickly do to the alkyd oil used in the paint, and EU restrictions on VOCs.
Eggshell finishes are more durable and easier to clean than flat finishes, but the subtle texture can show inconsistencies like roller marks.
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.
Matte: Slightly more sheen than a flat finish, with very little reflection that creates a velvety look. Ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. Eggshell: Offers a slight sheen with a smooth, elegant appearance; it is washable with good stain resistance, yet still forgiving of wall imperfections.
It's no secret that light colors make a room look larger, especially if the space is bathed in natural light. Eggshell or satin finishes will help reflect the light, creating the appearance of even more space.
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.
You do not need to apply a sealer with eggshell or satinwood paint.