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Writer's picturedesignerwalls

Painting Tip: Flat, Eggshell, or Satin or not?

Someone who thinks they know about finishes of paint will say I want eggshell. OK! You want LOSHEEN or VELVET or SATIN eggshell finish??


Flat, eggshell, satin, velvet, lo sheen, semi gloss, gloss

Having been an artist and painter all my life there are finishes of all kinds. Having painted with different brands of paint as Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Valspar, RustOleum and the like. And lets not forget the artist colors like Golden Colors, Liquitex, Blick and on and on. One thing is common.


Not all brands and types of paint even have an EGGSHELL finish. Then what?


Tip #1 - What is eggshell?


Every eggshell finish when named by a manufacturer must meet certain specifications of sheen. If the sheen is not identical to that by law they can not name it eggshell.


Sherwin Williams can not use eggshell in their Superpaint they call it Velvet finish, Likewise, Pro Mar 200 is called Lo Sheen.


Tip #2 - Why eggshell?


Why do people in all their wisdom think that eggshell is the best finish for them? Eggshell finish can be wiped down with a rag but that does not mean it is washable or scrubbable. It has a very low sheen which helps to hide imperfections in the wall. But, it is a myth to think Eggshell is kid friendly there is no color that can withstand magic markers.




"Eggshell is not eggshell unless it is on an egg." KLD

Tip #3 - High ceilings


We were quoting on a job that sent us to a house with a grand foyer. Problem was the walls were 18 feet high. They had marks from the rollers half way up the wall. The painters were told to use satin finish on the walls by the client. It showed every roll mark on the tall wall. Solution: Use only flat on tall walls.


Conclusion - Focus on the room not the finish.

Is your room vaulted, high ceiling, long narrow hallway, or just a room should decide your paint finish. Kids and dogs will have some bearing but not the only reason.



We have all the finishes. Check us out!


We can show you every finish from flat to eggshell, to lo sheen to velvet. Let us help you with your paint selection.


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