we paid extra to do the matte finish. but we have 2 young kids.

Flat paint hides all imperfections, which is why painters prefer it. Some homeowners want flat because you can do touch-ups with the paint (unlike an eggshell). Some flat paints claim they are washable.
It really is personal preference. Me, I always use a matte or eggshell, but then I'm wondering, did you specify flat to the painters?

I have 2 young boys and 1 on the way. We've always had flat paint in our houses and would never use anything else. It's easy to touch up and looks (in my opinion) MUCH better.

" We've always had matte (or satin? or eggshell?) before, never flat (except ceiling). Will I regret this? "

Don't worry flat and matte are the same thing.

If you were happy with matte you will be happy. (Eggshell has a slight sheen just like an eggshell. Satin is shinier just like satin fabric and gloss of course is very shiny.)

Actually flat and matte are Not the same thing, at least in Benjamin Moore.

Matte has a slight sheen level that reads "flat" at certain reflection angles, but is not quite flat.

I have found it to be more wipeable than flat, but harder to touch up than flat or satin. My matte room is black though, so you may not notice the touch ups as much in a lighter color.

I prefer flat paint because I really don't like the look of a sheen on walls. Plus, I've found that the only way to really get walls to look nice is to touch them up with paint, and flat paint is so easy to touch up and make looking new again.

I really think it's personal preference. I do agree with palimpsest that matte and flat are a bit different - especially in BM paints.

Flat will be best in rooms with very high walls because it will hide any unevenness to the walls - which doesn't mean you have construction issues, but even a very slight wave in a wall becomes apparent with eggshell or satin paint.

Thanks for the responses!

No, I didn't specify any type of paint, the builder was just using what he always uses. I thought--from my limited experience--that flat was only used on ceilings. And when I said "matte", I meant the next "step" up from true flat. I do know that the painters use Sherwin-Williams (Duron) paints, but I don't know which line.

So--I won't necessarily regret it if I stick with the current flat paint? Instead of washing off any marks, I just use paint and touch-up over them?

Thanks!

Aura Matte paints are supposed to be, and I have found this to be true in general, "seamless" touch-up (in addition to the scrubbability of the paint). However, it's the texture difference, touching-up with a brush, rather than a roller on a previously rolled wall, that is noticeable (not the fresh paint/color itself). If I only need to touch up a tiny spot (e.g. if scrubbing doesn't remove a mark on the wall), I can use a very small brush and the touched-up spot doesn't show. Anything larger and it sometimes will (depending on location, lighting, etc.). Then I am better off rolling on my touch-up. Also, it's best to use the same type of roller that was used originally. Again, it's the change in texture that often changes the look of the touched-up area (compared to the rest of the wall).

I'm not a paint expert, but in my house I only use eggshell. Personally, I love flat paint, but cleaning is a nightmare. With the eggshell I just make my solution and wipe off any smudges. Not had a problem yet keeping my walls clean looking and I have two very active kids who love to smear GA red clay on everything. The flat paint I used before just stained. My sister swears if you get flat ENAMEL that is more washable. I just haven't had the guts to give it a try.

Some paints are better than others. I've never used SW/Duron paint so I can't comment there. Whatever brand the PO had in my house was total crap flat- you HAD to touch up because everything marked it up and if you scrubbed, the paint came off too. With 5 large dogs, I can't be touching up paint all the time. One of my friends has Behr flat in her DR and 4 young boys and several dogs and a couple of cats. Her paint is very scrubbable and touches up nicely as well. I personally use Behr satin paint on walls and am very happy with it.

I prefer BM AquaPearl paint in the pearl finish which is less of a shine than satin but a touch more then eggshell. to me is it not shiny and is so easy to clean as well as making the walls not look chalky. I used Semigloss BM White on the trim but I wish that I used gloss on the trim. I just wipe with a little water and any smudges come right off the wall. When I had eggshell paint, I had to use a magic eraser to get marks off the wall.

So--I won't necessarily regret it if I stick with the current flat paint? Instead of washing off any marks, I just use paint and touch-up over them?

Maybe. Maybe not. Could depend on the color, consequences of wear and light exposure.

Gloss level can be important but at this juncture, I'd want to know what grade from SW he's wanting to use.

Tell him you don't want contractors grade flat. You might have to compromise for something mid-tier if you can't, for whatever reason, use top grade. Once you agree on the grade/price, go to the SW store and ask for gloss level samples so you can make an informed choice.

There are no standards for gloss levels - not even within one paint BRAND. i.e. Some eggshells are shinier than others. Some satins look like they are semi-gloss-lite, not satin. And on and on...

However, flat and matte are not the same thing - across the board, brand to brand, they are two different terms. Flat means flat as in no gloss, no slip - dead flat in some cases. Matte will always offer some degree of slip both visually and to the hand. i.e. SW Duration Matte has enough sheen that it could be confused with a satin from another brand.

Listen to Fun-C here!

Also:
Has the paint literally been mixed yet?!!?
>>> If not, I'd SERIOUSLY consider switching to Eggshell!
>>> Your paid balance could just be used towards a different sheen of paint...you may owe slightly more tho.

The "Sheen-thing"...
Some Mattes are shinier than some Eggshells!
* My FPE Eurolux Matte is equal in sheen to C2's Eggshell!

Faron

ANother thing to consider, the cost of the paint is such a relatively small cost compared to the time and cost (if you hire it out) of redoing it if you don't like it.

If this is the average new build, there's a good chance it is an inexpensive grade of paint.

I would find out exactly what paint grade it is (cheapo flat or perhaps there is a better grade flat) and get down to Sherwin WIlliams store and educate yourself. The folks at a SW or BM paint store are usually awesome helpful.

From what you describe of the open areas, if it were me, I would get the most durable washable paint I could afford because I wouldn't want to be re-doing it for quite some time.

A lot of time the spec'ed paint is cheap because they assume you will re-do it.

If its too late to do all that, at least have them put on a sample 2 coats in a single small area so you can see it. Then give it a wipe with a damp white paper towel the next day (3-4 days would be better, but you probably don't have that window). See how much color is on the paper towel and if there is a streak on the walls

Then your decision will be clear.

Personally I'm a big BM Aura fan. Eggshell on walls, satin on trim. I'm pretty sure SW has a comparable waterborne paint. I can do touchups or wipe-downs to my hearts content.

I like dead flat paint on walls, but I sure don't like contractors' grade anything.

Thanks so much for weighing in, everyone. I'll definitely ask about the grade-level of the paint. The painter was supposed to get back to me about the cost of the paint (yes, the paint they intend to use has already been mixed).

Oh, thanks for the idea about checking out the paint by wiping it....I can test the cut-in areas! I'll do that tomorrow.

Some of the newer acrylics can take up to 30 days to fully cure. An hour or a few days likely won't show/tell you very much.

we had house we bought a year and half ago repainted before we moved in--all of the interiors and the ceilings because the original owners had painted ceilings same as wall colors...
our painter said that flat was what they recommened for living areas, semi-gloss for closets and satin or semi-gloss for wet areas like bathrooms...

I had always used satin finish before when we painted in other homes but I must admit I like the no-sheen aspect of the flat paint--especially on the ceilings--
they used semi-gloss in closets for durability and to get the reflective quality to help with light dispersal...
my pantry painted in true white looks awesome--and almost glows in the dark

we don't have small children--but it is easy to touch up the few times we have needed to--we had couple of rub-spots the moves made with furniture when they were moving it in--and once covered up you can't tell new from old...

when we bought the house and saw it after the owners moved furniture out--when it was naked so to speak--we could see where they had done touch-ups with two different types of paint--flat and semi-gloss--

there is difference in price
and the paint that some painters use is not as "thick" as what you might buy at the same store in gallon lots...

so just make sure you are getting what you paid for--
most painters get their prices discounted depending on how much paint they buy from particular store too...
so are you paying over what the painter's cost is?

our deal was that we paid HIS cost for paint and materials and paid him for labor which included his profit...

When my house was built, I asked if I could have satin (they were already doing semi in bathrooms and kitchen). I got a resounding NO...it had to be flat (cookie cutter builder). It looks nice, but I am not a fan of flat cause every little blemish needs a paint touch up.

I am using satin whenever I do any big painting.

that's probably why I use eggshell. Its that compromise between flat and satin. easier to decide.

Another thing about finishes is that the amount of additive needed to make paint semi, satin or whatever has decreased over the years. So semi today isn't as glossy as semi 10-20 years ago. I recall an article in consumer reports some time ago about that observation. They compared sheen brand to brand and there were big differences. Probably a cost thing.

THe thickness is to prevent splattering, which you only care about when applying. THat's what makes ceiling paint ceiling paint. I don't think thickness has any other benefit.

I would go ahead and upgrade now, you won't regret it.

Funcolors is on the money about the crucial thing.
GRADE. The finish of builder grade flat paint is often dusty, doesn't cover as well, doesn't always represent the color nearly as well, and holds a mark if you whisper too loudly next to it.
Get what you want now, even if you have to spend a little more.

Which gives me a chance to step onto my soapbox once again.
Specify, specify, specify.
I am posting a new thread about this, since there are several similar questions about this kind of thing on the forum just now.

I always paint with eggshell. ALWAYS. But then...I am clumsy. And have a houseful of men...