Reason #1 for Why Builders Use Flat Paint – Builders use flat paint so that they can touch-up the walls easily. Flat paint, although it is inferior in many ways, is the best at touching-up. The lack of shine make the paint blend better with the previous paint.
The reason builders insist on using flat wall paint is it's a way for them to cut corners, significantly. They don't have to do a higher level of drywall finishing, and flat wall paint can be touched up without having to repaint a wall corner to corner during building.
Users often appreciate that its matte finish offers a sophisticated look that complements various interior design styles. Flat paint, with its velvety, matte appearance, is the best choice for hiding any wall imperfections due to its lack of shine and reflective properties.
However, flat finishes are not very durable and need to be carefully cleaned. Scrubbing flat paint could wear down the finish and cause sheen to appear in patchy spots. Best places to use flat paint: Ceilings (which tend to have flaws), accent walls, and low-traffic rooms that don't need frequent cleaning.
Contract matt emulsion, the most common type of paint used on new-builds, is microporous, which means moisture in the wall can dry without causing the paint to bubble (as would be the case with the vinyl-based paints you'll be more familiar with.
Newly built houses, despite being ready to live in, often need some time to "settle." This settling period allows the construction materials, particularly those in the walls and ceilings, to adapt to the environment, which can affect how the walls absorb paint or how wallpaper adheres.
Contractors are often requested to use low- or zero-VOC paints, and this is something they can get from Sherwin-Williams in a variety of their paint lines. Sherwin-Williams paint is thick because it uses more solids, which makes it easier to work with and will cover more surface area.
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!
You shouldn't use flat paint on high-traffic areas, like bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms because it's the hardest to clean. But, if you're using a high quality flat paint, you'll be able to scrub away any imperfections on the wall after 30 days of painting the surface.
FLAT or MATTE
Flat/Matte paint is the most forgiving finish with the most color options. Pros - Allows the color to be the main focus. Flat and Matte finishes help hide and or reduce imperfections in your walls and ceilings.
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.
There is a spectrum of paint sheens, from flat to glossy. Typically, a higher sheen creates a more durable and cleanable finish. Because flat paint is porous and has the lowest sheen, it is less able to hold up to frequent scrubbing.
Flat paint soaks up light and hides imperfections, while satin paint reflects light and may highlight them. Satin paint is best for smooth walls with no imperfections. Flat paint is best for bedrooms, offices, and calm spaces. Consider how you use the space and how frequently you clean the walls before deciding.
What is Builder's Beige? Builder's Beige is the generic colour that most new homes come with. It usually is the colour that a builder uses for an entire subdivision of homes. These colours may actually have sophisticated sounding names but they are just different shades of builder's beige.
Some types of paint are more resistant to mildew than others. For example, mildew more quickly grows on exterior alkyd flat paint as compared with gloss or semi-gloss enamels. Any products which contain linseed oil also attract mildew growth.
Flat paint has a low-sheen finish that helps reduce glare in high-glare areas. This makes it great for ceilings or rooms with lots of light reflectors, like bathrooms or living rooms. However, the lower level of gloss can make flat paint vulnerable to staining and marks from spills and fingerprints.
Applying a Sealer
These products create barriers preventing moisture penetration thus prolonging life expectancy on flat paint finishes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The consensus is that, on the topic of Sherwin Williams vs Behr paints, the former is more durable and long-lasting than the latter. This makes Sherwin Williams paints a good choice for areas in your home that have a lot of traffic or if you have kids and pets.
New home.
For example, we recommend the use of breathable paint, such as a contract matt emulsion, as the new plaster dries out during the initial few months. Or why not have a word with our specification team about the products you should use to avoid the yellowing often associated with new build environments.