that's what eggshell is -- between flat, which doesn't wipe great, and semigloss, which is used for woodwork and trim.

So where does Satin come in? For instance, Sw the Emerald line offers Flat, Matte, Satin, and Semi-Gloss. I assumed Eggshell and Satin are usually interchangeable. I can't see how Matte and Satin or Matte and Flat are different.

I think Matte = Flat. I also think of eggshell and satin as equivalent, but I gather one (satin?) has just a bit more sheen than the other. All of this may vary with paint brand anyway, so it's worth seeing if your local paint store has an example of all the finishes -- have seen such at thing in the paint department of Lowes, for example, with pieces of wood trim painted with each type.

The nomenclature can vary by brand. Kelly Moores' satin and eggshell are opposite from Sherwin Williams.

Many times the words flat and matte are interchangeable. Mate paint is usually not washable. Eggshell is the preferred choice of many because you can wash it easily. Satin or Semi-Gloss are very close and typically used on woodwork. There are washable matte paints, be careful and don't purchase the least expensive paint you will regret it. I always recommend Benjamin Moore. Good luck to you with this project!

I used BM Regal Select Ultra Matte on some bedroom walls - I don't know what I was thinking. Terrible washability.

From what I understand, it's the same thing, just different verbage.

I used BM Matte in dining room and public areas. I didn't realize that the dogs got their dirty paws under the window on light color (YlangYlang) every time the mail was delivered. Warm water--washed right off although it was pretty bad. Did that for a few weeks until I found a way to block off that room while I'm gone. The matte washed fine.

ellenoir17 got it right. I used the matte from BM, and eggshell from Behr. They look ok but are horrible at trying to wipe off any dirt spots or stains.

I purchased a house that has a study painted in a very dark red, and it is very chalky. If I touch or rub my hand along the wall, it leaves white chalk marks, Is it safe to assume that this is a flat paint? Would I be able to paint SW Matte over it? I'd like to keep a red color, but I don't want a shine or the chalkiness.

Look at SW Duration Home matte. Scrubable without burnishing.

Essentially, there are two kinds of paints, flat paints and washable paints. Flat paints are traditionally not washable. When the industry started introducing washable matte paint, that is when things started to get confusing. The washable matte concept was an idea to give the consumer a washable paint without the shine. It's still not perfect Even the highest quality washable matte paints are not as washable as the eggshell finish. Eventually, manufacturers started calling their washable matte paints washable flats, which was a pretty big stupid mistake IMO. Flat is not a washable paint but now it is? Painters will call actual flat paint dead flat or garbage flat in order to distinguish. To even further complicate things, some dead flat paints actually have 'washable' or 'scrubbable' on the label. The average consumer has no choice but to be confused. In my mind, the order of sheen from lowest to highest should be something like dead flat, washable flat (or matte), eggshell (or low luster or soft gloss), satin (or medium gloss), semi-gloss, high gloss.

In my mind, the order of sheen from lowest to highest should be something like dead flat, washable flat (or matte), eggshell (or low luster or soft gloss), satin (or medium gloss), semi-gloss, high gloss.

This.

In my experience flat works well on ceilings where finger prints are not an issue, matte has the same look but a bit nicer and is washable , not really scrubbable. I have matte all through my house and I love it because of the look and find the hall and around doorways are okay to wash but I think I will change all the trim to satin and leave the walls matte.

Thank you everyone for the feedback. I’ve never painted with anything other then a satin or eggshell, so have been confused now by seeing this option for matte when it’s offered between flat and satin. I think since I don’t have little ones in the house anymore to worry about scrubbability, I might go for the matte. I want to at least be able to wash it or spray and wipe fingerprints. And I need it to be able to hold up in a sunny location, which I guess would depend on quality of paint.

I have BM Aura Matte and it will mark if you try to wipe it. Also, it does not touch up well. Just warning you, Matte will mark. I’m currently changing to BM Regal Select eggshell.

Contrary to popular belief matte and flat are not the same thing. Some brands might use the term interchageable but they are not. Flat is the most basic sheen. It does not clean up well but leaves no reflective surface. It is the standard for most rooms of the house. Matte has a little more sheen. It is a little more washable. Next comes eggshell, then satin, semi gloss and then hi gloss. With each increases in sheen there is increased in cleanability and also in shine of the paint. However, take not the color deepens or darkens as the sheen increases. The more the sheen increases the more reflective, deeper the color and the more it can streak on the walls. Flat paint is the most forgiving in painting. Hi gloss can leave streaks so you put it on thin and come back and put second layer if have to. Let it dry completely before second layer. Doors, window trim and outdoor doors, etc usually use hi gloss or semi gloss. Hi gloss does not usually come in exterior and interior because it can be used in both envrionments due to its level of cleanability and protective sheen. Bathrooms can be done in flat but I would go no higher than satin or else you will have super shiny walls. Never use semi gloss or hi gloss on walls. It looks horrible. But looks great on doors and trim. Hope all this helps. Also use a good paint brush for small areas so less streaking with any paint.

Navy Lion Group Co

614-622-4315

Flat paint has a nonreflective finish and is not washable should any dirt get on the surface of the finish.

Matte paint also has a nonreflective finish but you can see a very subtle glow once it has dried. Matte paint is reasonably washable when it gets dirty.

Many suppliers including Lowe's will tell you that flat and matte are exactly the same but this is definitely not a fact. The finishes and durability are different.

Don't be misinformed when preparing for your paint project. We only recommend using flat paint on Ceilings and low traffic areas such as Closets. If you desire a nonreflective finish we recommend you use matte paint especially in areas with reasonable traffic. Should your supplier only have flat paint available look for a brand that has Scuff Shield or Scuff Defense on its label.

Contact us at 614-622-4315 to get your next project started.

Navy Lion Group Co

Home Improvement Services

New to Florida “orange peel” wall finish. In our northern home, the walls are not textured and clean up seems easy no matter what the paint finish. Matte reduces texture. High gloss hides nothing. The orange peel wall finish is really hard to clean no matter what! Advise??