What is better, eggshell or satin?

Author: Bertrand Nader  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

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.

What looks better, satin or eggshell?

Satin sheen is more glossy and shiny. It's better for high-traffic areas with pets and kids. It's easier to clean and maintain. Eggshell is less glossy and doesn't have as much protection. It looks better overall but harder to clean.

When should you not use eggshell paint?

Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.

What is the disadvantage of eggshell paint?

The downsides of eggshell paint

Albeit less expensive than other types of paint, eggshell paint will most likely require a coat to spruce the room up much sooner than satin paint would, for instance. It is also rather challenging to freshen up the look of the walls just where it's needed.

What is the best finish for wall paint?

Bottom Line
  • If you're painting a wall, opt for eggshell or satin.
  • If you're painting trim work or doors, opt for semi-gloss.
  • If you're painting a ceiling, opt for flat.

PAINT SHEEN GUIDE | What Paint Finish Should You Use? | How to Choose Paint

What paint do most professional painters use?

Professional painters frequently utilize premium paints, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, for their work. Sherwin-Williams is widely regarded as one of the top paint brands, providing a broad range of premium quality paints, including environmentally friendly options.

What is the most popular wall finish?

Paint remains the most popular choice for finishing walls. It can be budget friendly, and is generally considered quick and easy to obtain, apply and clean. A few hundred years ago, painting a room was a more meticulous, multi-step process.

Why not use satin paint?

Despite its many benefits, one downside is that its glossiness can highlight wall imperfections such as cracks and poorly patched areas. Therefore, it's important to prepare your walls adequately before applying satin paint color to achieve a smooth, professional finish.

Is a roller or brush better for eggshell paint?

Short or medium pile microfibre mini rollers are the best when applying water-based, woodwork paints, such as Quick Dry Eggshell, Quick Dry Satinwood or Quick Dry Gloss. Avoid using foam mini rollers when applying Quick Dry products, as these can cause paint bubbles to form when rolled onto the surface.

Where is eggshell paint best used?

  • 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.
  • Perfect for low- to mid-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, entryways and family rooms.
  • Eggshell paint is more washable than flat sheens, and it resists stains and scuffs.

What rooms should have eggshell paint?

Where to Use Eggshell Paint. Eggshell paint is ideal for walls in medium-to-high-traffic areas, such as bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. While generally used on walls, eggshell paint can also be used on trim, molding, and skirting boards.

Do designers use flat or eggshell paint?

Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why we 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!

Is Sherwin Williams satin the same as eggshell?

Satin and low-lustre paints have a slightly higher sheen than eggshell finishes. Paints in this category are warmer and provide a greater appearance of depth than flat paints. They also resist stains better than flat paints.

Is satin too shiny for walls?

Is satin paint too shiny for walls? In most cases, satin paint isn't too shiny for walls. In fact, satin is likely the glossiest sheen that will work on walls. However, if you're looking to hide imperfections on your walls, opting for a flatter finish will be better.

Does eggshell paint go yellow?

Dulux Trade Eggshell is touch dry in 4-6 hours, has an excellent coverage of up to 17m2 per litre and leaves a professional finish that lasts much longer than others on the market without yellowing. This is crucial if you are using a white eggshell, which is particularly prone to this over time.

Is satin or eggshell better for bathrooms?

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.

What are the disadvantages of eggshell paint?

Cons:
  • May not provide as much reflectivity as satin paint, which can make smaller rooms feel more cramped.
  • Not as suitable for creating a modern or contemporary look due to its low sheen finish.
  • May require more coats than satin paint to achieve full coverage.

Do professional painters use brush or roller?

Professional painters typically use both brushes and rollers when painting. Brushes are used to apply paint in tight spaces or areas with intricate details, while rollers are used for larger surfaces like walls and ceilings.

How do I get a smooth finish with eggshell paint?

Apply your eggshell paint like a pro

To get the best finish, we'd recommend using a synthetic bristle brush and lightly dampening the surface to allow the paint to flow smoothly for a fabulous finish.

Should I do satin or eggshell paint?

Eggshell Enamel has a soft, velvety appearance and is a good choice for moderate traffic areas such as living rooms. Satin Enamel has a soft pearl-like appearance, and is a great choice for painting moderate to high traffic areas or areas that have some exposure to moisture, such as kitchens or baths.

What is the best sheen for walls?

A satin or semi-gloss sheen is ideal, as it can withstand moisture. Imperfections: If you're looking to cover or hide imperfections, flat or eggshell finishes are best. Durability: Areas with high traffic or exposure to moisture require more durable finishes, such as semi-gloss or satin.

Should bedroom walls be flat or satin?

For low-traffic areas like bedrooms, go for flat or eggshell finishes. They're elegant and don't shine too much. But if you're tackling high-traffic spots like hallways or kitchens, satin or semi-gloss finishes are the way to go. They're durable and easy to clean, perfect for those inevitable messes.

What finish do professional painters use?

Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.

What is the most expensive wall finish?

Level 5 is an additional coat of mud sanded smooth and is only necessary when the walls will have a harsh light illuminating them. Level 5, of course, is the most expensive due to all the extra hand-troweled labor.

Which paint hides imperfections best?

Flat Finishes

The flat sheen is good at hiding surface imperfections, such as dents, nail holes, patches and other surface flaws in new construction. It is also a good choice for ceiling painting. Flat finishes often require fewer coats than semi-gloss and gloss paints.

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