Eggshell is the most commonly used sheen for interior walls.
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.
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.
Because eggshell has a lower light reflectivity than satin, it's preferred for walls with imperfections or undesired texture. This lower reflectivity also makes eggshell paint better for walls that receive direct sunlight. However, eggshell is generally too dull for trim, millwork, cabinetry, doors, and other moldings.
Coming in between 20-30 per cent sheen, an eggshell paint finish looks quite soft and velvety, like a matt, but not quite as deep – and with a bit more shine. It's still a subtle finish but can resist slight stains and marks better than most matts. It's a fully washable finish.
Tip: Eggshell vs. satin finishes. Both are both popular for high-traffic areas and are considered the best for painting walls. Experts recommend choosing satin over eggshell when painting areas exposed to moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Medium Lustre - This higher-gloss finish is perfect for doors and trim. We like this sheen for: Doors. Trim.
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.
Eggshell. The perfect mix of durable and great looking, eggshell is the most common paint finish used throughout homes. "This finish provides a low sheen and a smooth finish that can subtly enhance color depth," says Mendelson.
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.
Sherwin-Williams paint is thick because it uses more solids, which makes it easier to work with and will cover more surface area. Furthermore, most surfaces can be completely covered in one to two coats. Painting contractors aim to please because their reputation is on the line with every painting project.
Another question we get asked a lot from DIY painters and other contractors is, “how many coats of paint do I need when painting the interior or exterior of a home. The general rule is that you should use two coats of paint.
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.
Color Considerations
We all know that lighter colors emphasize imperfections while darker colors hide them. This also has to do with light and reflection. Lighter colors reflect more light while darker shades absorb it.
If you want your paint to have a smooth finish, the technique you use is very important. Keep your brush at a 90-degree angle while applying the paint and feather as you go. Between coats, sand the wall lightly using a very high grit sand sponge of at least 220 grit.
Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel paint
It has a self-leveling property that helps eliminate the appearance of brush or roller marks and cures with a very hard smooth, enamel-like finish.
“Eggshell is primarily the sheen of choice for bedroom, living room, hallway and entryway walls,” Vaughan says. If you prefer a sheen that cleans up well and doesn't reflect much light, eggshell is the best choice.
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!
Eggshell paint offers a soft sheen that adds elegance and is more washable than flat paint, making it ideal for moderate-traffic areas. However, it shows imperfections more than matte finishes and lacks the durability of glossier options, so it may need more frequent touch-ups in high-traffic areas.
Eg-Shel- Great to use for walls, eg-shel finish has a slight hint of shine and holds up better to cleaning. Low-Lusture- A smooth, subtle sheen that's durable and easy to clean. Medium-Lustre- This higher-gloss finish is perfect for doors and trim.
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.
Eggshell Enamel has a soft, velvety appearance and is a good choice for moderate traffic areas such as living rooms.
Comparing Emerald and Duration
You could say, Emerald is more efficient than Duration because it offers greater coverage with less product. This will save you money on materials and you should be able to achieve full coverage in a single coat.
With our wide selection of paint by Sherwin-Williams, HGTV Home® by Sherwin Williams, Valspar® and STAINMASTER™, your perfect color is waiting for you.