To shine or not to shine?
Eggshell paint reflects more light than flat paint.
Eggshell paint has a low, soft sheen that is more washable.
The higher the sheen, the more difficult the paint is to touch up.
Flat paint has no sheen and hides imperfections better.
Flat paint is less durable and harder to keep clean.
If you are planning to paint the interior of your house, flat and eggshell are terms you will see often. Of the many finishes available for interior paint, they are the most commonly used. If you are unsure which is the better choice for your project, it helps to understand the key differences between the two, as well as the pros and cons of each. This guide breaks it down, settling the eggshell vs. flat paint debate.
Eggshell and flat are two of many terms used by paint manufacturers to describe differences in the sheen of their paint finishes. Flat (or matte) finish paint creates a "flawless" surface that reflects the least amount of light. Eggshell tends to be the next step above flat, providing a very slight amount of light reflection that also reveals more texture and some imperfections.
Paint with an eggshell finish is one of the most popular types of wall paint. An eggshell finish provides a low but visible sheen, and a soft, smooth finish that is reminiscent of an actual eggshell. Painters and designers often recommend eggshell paint for low-traffic areas such as living rooms, since it can be more difficult to touch up than paints with lower sheen levels (such as flat paint).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Soft, smooth finish | Highlights imperfections and brush marks |
| More washable than flat paint | Costs 5% more than flat paint, on average |
| Resists stains and scuffs | Difficult to touch up |
| Lasts longer than flat paint | Takes longer to apply than flat paint |
Best for:
Rooms with low natural light
Kitchens
Older or historic homes
Eggshell paint provides a soft, smooth finish with some light reflection. This gives walls a richer look with more depth than you can expect from a flat paint.
This finish is more washable than flat paint, and fresh stains or scuffs can be gently scrubbed away with a bit of warm water. This means that a properly applied and maintained eggshell finish can last longer than a flat paint. Expect a lifespan of about 10 years.
In certain lighting, eggshell paint's reflective finish can highlight roller and brush marks, bulges and other imperfections in drywall, nail pops, poorly finished seams, and more. This finish also makes it difficult to touch up without needing to repaint the entire wall, since touch-ups will reflect light in a noticeably different way than the surrounding painted area.
Eggshell paint also costs more than flat paint, due in part to slightly higher material costs. If you hire an interior painter near you for the job, expect higher labor costs due to the added care required to apply eggshell paint properly to the walls.
Flat paint, also called matte paint, is typically the lowest-sheen finish available from most paint manufacturers. It provides a smooth surface with minimal reflectiveness.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Masks surface imperfections well | Least durable type of paint finish |
| Requires fewer coats to apply | Harder to clean than reflective sheens |
| Touched-up spots are not visible | Scuffs easily |
| Costs less than other paints |
Best for:
Low-traffic rooms
New construction
Ceilings
The biggest advantage of flat paint is that it downplays imperfections on the surface of a wall, whether that be bulges, nails pops, roller or brush marks, or seams. Plus, if damage occurs and a touchup is required, flat paint is easy to fix, since touched-up areas will not be as visible as they would be with eggshell paint.
Flat paint is commonly used by builders since it requires fewer coats to apply. If you are having your home repainted, be sure to choose a high-grade flat paint. Otherwise, you may be left with a surface that scuffs easily and needs to be repainted much sooner than would otherwise be necessary.
Flat paint tends to be less durable since it scuffs more easily. Once a scuff or stain appears, it becomes harder to clean the longer you leave it there. A low-grade flat paint will likely only last a couple of years before touch-ups are needed.
You can avoid this problem and achieve a much higher-quality finish by choosing a high-grade flat paint, which will cost you more in the short term but save time and money down the road.
Below, we compare the differences between eggshell and flat paint in a variety of specific categories to help you determine which is the best choice for your project.
This is subjective and will come down to your personal design preference. Eggshell paint is more reflective, with a subtle sheen that gives richness and depth to walls. Flat paint has a clean, matte look that does not reflect light and hides surface imperfections well.
Eggshell paint has a longer life span than flat paint since it is easier to clean and less likely to show scuffs and stains over time; however, durability mostly comes down to paint quality, and you can expect high-grade flat paints to last longer than low-grade eggshell paints.
In general, a flat paint will cost less than an eggshell paint of the same quality. Flat paint is also easier to apply, meaning it takes less time and comes with lower professional labor fees.
Flat paint is easier to apply to walls and requires fewer coats for an attractive finish. For this reason, it takes less time and money to have it done professionally, and it is easier for homeowners to DIY.
When you need to touch up walls due to damage or scuff marks, flat paint makes the job much easier. The lack of light reflection on its surface means that touch-ups are not nearly as visible as they would be on a higher-sheen finish like eggshell.
The same qualities that give eggshell paint its shine make it easier to clean. If you need to remove stains or scuffs, you can use a warm, damp cloth to scrub them gently off your eggshell paint. This is another category that comes down to quality, since higher-grade flat paints are also relatively easy to clean when needed.
When properly cared for, eggshell paint will last for about a decade before you need to repaint, compared to about five years for flat paint. The longer life span is because eggshell paint can be cleaned more easily.
