Remind me the difference between interior matte and flat?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

My mind is destroyed after trying to find the correct match to touch up in the house. It's spot on colorwise, but the sheen is wrong. I know its sheen is not reflective (not even slight!), but beyond that? I'm stuck in what I am looking for. Behr didn't help jog my memory:

"A matte sheen has a flat, non-reflective finish that's easy to clean, touches up well and will also hide minor surface imperfections."

"A flat sheen has a matte, non-reflective finish that's easy to clean, touches up well and will also hide minor surface imperfections."

So what's the difference? I know the home owners (I'm renting, about to buy), should've used something with a sheen, but didn't! It's on the walls and shows every bit of dirt, marring, etc.

Featured Answer

Michael

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Rob,

It depends on the paint manufacturer's formula for matte and flat.

If you use Behr Matte finish, it's very easy to clean without burnishing.

Most flats will burnish when cleaned with the slightest rubbing or scrubbing.

Matte will feel smooth to your touch, flat will feel chalky to your touch.

Also, touch-ups can mismatch if done more than a year after paint has cured, even if using original paint.

What are you trying to accomplish?

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Comments (13)

rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
"Washable flat = matte", so I'm going with flat. Unless someone disagrees? It's really unwashable is why I pick it.
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User
8 years ago
I touched up a spot on the wall with the same can of paint 2 weeks later and you can still see where I did it, isnt it called "flashing"
rob333 (zone 7b) thanked User
Michael
8 years ago
Flashing is usually caused by using a different applicator than the original. Brush versus roller nap. It's the difference in texture causing the flashing. It's complicated. :) I hate doing touch-ups. I always recommend painting from corner to corner to achieve 100% total satisfaction.

Can you live with it?
rob333 (zone 7b) thanked Michael
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Merely cover nail holes. It'll be move in ready when i move out. It matters not if it cleans... I was just trying to get as close as possible. Thanks for the clarification
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
And to clarify, I'm not dissing Behr's product (I'm not using it). I thought a paint website might help, and it only confused me ;)
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
I used BM flat in the bathroom and am sorry. The guys at BM told me I should've used matte. The problem is the wall is streaked by the hand towel from drippy hands reaching for the towel. They tell me matte won't do that.
rob333 (zone 7b) thanked Annie Deighnaugh
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Annie, you have solidified they started with flat. It's the worst. I cannot understand using this in applications where the wall needs to be cleaned at any point? But I'm sure someone likes it? It just isn't me.
User
8 years ago
Isn't eggshell or satin recommended for baths?
User
8 years ago
Flat paint is normally only used on ceilings. When used on walls, it gets dirty/streaks and you cannot wash the walls.

Why do you want to use an "unwashable paint," rob?

I've always used eggshell in our homes, including bathrooms.
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I want to match what the house owners have. I am renting.

I want them to have the place back as nice as or nicer than it was when I got there, when I leave there, shortly.
Annie Deighnaugh
8 years ago
I got into a major todo about paint finishes and lost to DH and architect. I didn't want flat, but they both did. Main reason is that the strokes can be seen at overlaps and touch ups if it's not flat as each subsequent layer adds to the gloss. The painters who painted our interior actually charged more for the shinier finishes because of it.
lascatx
8 years ago
Annie, do you have absolutely smooth walls -- no texture at all? That might be the issue ore than paint. Though glossy paint on smooth would merit more work and money to get a good finish. I wouldn't think the difference between flat or matte and eggshell would.

Remind me the difference between interior matte and flat?

Michael

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Remind me the difference between interior matte and flat?

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