Whats the difference between eggshell and flat finish?
An eggshell wall finish is very close to a semi-gloss finish. Some people use the term interchangeably to signify a neutral off-white color. A true eggshell/satin finish can raise havoc with a paint job if its shortcomings are not understood. Eggshell wall finishes are promoted by paint manufactures as a finish that mother’s would like–to wash little hand prints off the wall!, but in truth, eggshell wall finishes are harder to touch-up if they are burnished or scuffed. If the issue is ease of maintenance, use flat paints on the walls because you can touch it up, whereas with an eggshell/satin wall finish you have to repaint the entire wall. The exception to the rule is bathroom walls and kitchen walls where water can get to the wall. Specifying eggshell/satin wall finishes on a remodeling job can cause nightmares. We have had to repaint all the walls when other trades scuffed up the walls.
Related Questions
- When purchasing paint Ive been asked if I want flat, high gloss, satin or even an eggshell finish. What do these terms mean, and does it really make any difference what kind of finish I have?
- What finish (flat, eggshell, satin, semi) will show the least flaws on my walls or ceilings?
- What finish should I use on interior walls – flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, satin or glossy?
