Which sheen is best?

Flat is the least reflective and is best for ceilings and walls in low traffic areas. The biggest pro of flat paint is that it provides excellent “hide”. It masks imperfections and creates a more flawless finish. It downplays flaws in the drywall and can be touched up easily without showing roller marks or flashing. Maybe an outlet has to be moved, or furnishings are brought in that scuff up the wall paint. When this happens, the paint can be easily touched up without the wall being affected.

The downside is that flat paint is not as durable or easy to clean as eggshell or higher sheen paints. So if you have pets or kids that touch or bump the walls, flat paint will mar. It is important to clean dirt and stains as quickly as possible. the longer you ignore the item, the harder the walls are to clean. We recommend warm water and a non abrasive cleaner with a microfiber cloth. Be careful with Magic Earser as it may affect the sheen, so best to spot test. When you use high quality paint we recommend, the flat paint is highly scrubbable without coming off the wall. A “Builer grade” paint or lower end paint will come right off the wall when you scrub it.

Matte is more reflective than flat but is also great for minimizing surface imperfections, while providing a durable finish. Matte shows more imperfections and does not touch up well unlike flat.

Eggshell paint cleans easier, wears better and lasts longer than flat. Eggshell paint looks richer than flat paint. The slightly higher sheen creates light reflection, which in turn gives the colors more depth and richness. Depth of color is what makes colors more interesting and dynamic, especially if you are painting with neutral colors.

Eggshell paint will show more imperfections and does not touch up well compared to flat paint. For touch-ups, it is best to paint the whole wall, otherwise you will see flashing where you touch up. If you want to do touch ups or are concerned about seeing more imperfections on the wall, then consider using flat. If the drywall is imperfect to begin with, consider having us fix it rather than downplaying its flaws. If you are in an older or historic house, embrace the patina of the aged walls and enjoy the enhanced beauty and durability that eggshell provides.

Satin / pearl is a medium finish like eggshell, ideal for high traffic areas. Certain brands don’t provide eggshell and rather just call it satin.

Semi-gloss creates a smooth, highly reflective finish that is durable and withstands repeated cleanings. It is also used to highlight trim like crown moulding, baseboards, doors and casings. Great for trim and cabinets.

A “glass like” sheen that is super durable.