There is this place where you can get them for very very cheap in Sumner, WA. They sell flats by the lbs, it cost $2 per pound!! The website is http://mcconkeyco.com/ (McConkeyco dot com) You just come in the show room, pick your flats (several types, sizes) weight them and pay at the office desk.

I used Sherwin Williams Super Paint with a satin sheen the last time I painted the exterior of my house. I was extremely pleased to see the water shed off when it rained. It has held up pretty good with the exception of the West side of my house. Now when it gets wet it appears to soak in instead of shedding off like before. It has become chalky as well. I am about to re-paint that West side. I went online to Consumer Reports.com to see what paints are currently considered the best. There was a short mention of Sherwin Williams paints but none were included in their tests. According to their tests, Valspar and Kelly Moore were the best wearing paints. Valspar is the only one of the two available in my area. On Valspar, they tested Ultra Premium low luster and simi gloss. The Ultra Premium Duramax was tested using flat and low luster. I am wondering if i should use a simi gloss sheen on my hardboard siding on that West side to make it more durable to the effects of that West side sun exposure....any thoughts?

It can be either. I don't know about Kraus but most manufacturer's will have a spec sheet that shows the slope. Some handmade style sinks (Rohl's farmhouse sinks come to mind) have a reputation for not always draining nicely but something stamped out on the line like Elkay should reliably match specs. Personally, if other things were close to equal, I'd take an Elkay over a Kraus, for no good reason. :)

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.