Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
Flat, eggshell and satin paint are best for interior walls, whereas semi-gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork. Flat, Gloss or Satin Paint - How Do You Choose? An eggshell finish has a subtler shine to it, so it's a great choice if you're not ready for satin.
Satin is more durable and easier to clean than eggshell
“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.
These binders are resins that make the paint more resilient, robust, and hard-wearing. Eggshell paint has a lower sheen than satin paint, and therefore, it is more prone to get affected by the impacts and abrasions made by a high traffic room since it has a lesser binder and more pigments than the satin paint.
DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE: 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.
The shiny reflective property of a paint's sheen comes from a reflective particles in the paint. The more layers that are put on, the more light gets reflected back to the viewer. It's odd that this has happened with a low sheen; I have seen this with satin and eggshell quite a bit myself.
Eggshell. Havenly interior designer Melissa Wagner always recommends clients use satin or eggshell finishes, as “they're middle-of-the-road and aren't as 'controversial' as gloss or flat finishes.”
As one of the most touched surfaces in your home, your banister paint needs to withstand this. For that reason, choosing a washable satinwood or gloss is always a good call. Whilst a matt or eggshell paint might LOOK better, ultimately, they wouldn't be able to withstand the high traffic.
Eggshell paint is generally used on larger surfaces but is becoming popular as a skirting paint (especially within shabby chic interiors). It's good for use within areas that have above average foot traffic as it is more durable than emulsion and is easily maintained and kept clean.
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.
Best for: Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Satin, which is a little more hard-wearing than eggshell, works well in those rooms, too, but also in kitchens, dining areas, children's bedrooms, and bathrooms. Many satin finishes are tough enough to use on trim as well.
Can Eggshell Paint Be Painted Over? If you apply flat paint directly over eggshell finishes, the new paint will peel off. If you want to remove portions, do not oversand the eggshell finish. If the existing finish has a slight grit, sand it only until it is smooth.
Satin: Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. It is most often used for windows, doors, trim, or ceilings, but it can also be used as wall paint. This is particularly suitable for kids' room walls, kitchens, or bathrooms, or in areas that get a lot of traffic.
Matte or eggshell sheen is generally recommended for an adult's bedroom or a guest bedroom.
Since handrails are such a high traffic surface, I recommend a hard enamel-type paint in a satin or semi-gloss finish. Flat or matte paints are generally more likely to blemish and can be harder to clean.
Eggshell has a lower duller sheen than satin and is close to a matt or flat finish that you find in a lot of emulsions. It is reminiscent of the shell of an egg — hence its name. Satin has a glossier finish than eggshell and reflects more light, so is more likely to show up any imperfections.
The best eggshell paint for wood will do exactly that. Sophisticated and subtle, eggshell paint leaves a beautifully soft and very low-sheen eggshell finish on wood, plasterboard, and metal surfaces.
Can You Use Eggshell Paint Over Gloss? A thin layer of Gloss is not required on top. Painters don't need to clean or dry up before painting a surface. Additionally, if you paint over gloss wood with an eggshell, or satin finish, you won't need it.
Gloss has a higher sheen, also sometimes called lustre, than satin which means that it has a higher reflective level, commonly twice as high as satin. While neither hides imperfections, a gloss surface reflects more light which means it will highlight flaws more than a satin finish.
Generally, the best paint for interior doors is semi-gloss because it is easy to clean and produces a finish that lasts for a long time, but gloss is good too.
For living rooms that also serve as high traffic family rooms, the best paint finish to use is often eggshell or satin. Eggshell can be easily cleaned so any spills and drips can be wiped with a wet rag. While satin finish is more durable than eggshell, it is ideal for active rooms like playrooms.
Although both matte and eggshell paints are durable, eggshell finishes tend to be the more durable of the two.
Paint with a flat finish will not reflect any light. It is great for covering up any imperfections a wall or ceiling might have because light will not highlight these blemishes. Paint with an eggshell finish will mimic the shine of an eggshell.