Choosing the best finish for your painting project can significantly impact the final product’s durability, ease of cleaning, and ability to hide flaws. Eggshell paint is a fantastic choice because its excellent qualities offer several unique benefits compared to other finishes like flat, satin, and semi-gloss.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of eggshell paint and where you can use it around your home. We will explain the differences between eggshell paint and other finishes, as well as look at why some surfaces are better suited to a particular finish than others. Additionally, we will cover what is meant by PVC and VOC content when referring to paints, and review the best way to apply eggshell paint to furniture.
Finally, we will elaborate on considerations for touch-ups and easy cleaning with eggshell paint.
Short Summary
Eggshell paint offers durability, ease of cleaning, better concealment of imperfections, and cost-effectiveness.
It is a popular choice for walls, ceilings, and furniture due to its low sheen finish and ability to conceal surface imperfections.
Eggshell paint provides a subtle sheen and is highly concealable, but it is not as durable or easy to clean as other finishes.
What is Eggshell Paint?
Eggshell paint is a low-sheen wall paint finish that provides a subtle dimension and look, with less resin than satin and a gentle reflective quality. Unlike actual eggshells, eggshell paint is washable and highly durable, making it a great option for painting walls and ceilings.
Eggshell paint is a type of paint sheen, with a range of finishes that range from a flat, matte finish to semi-gloss or high-gloss. Eggshell paint reflects more light than flat paint, but less than semi-gloss paint or high-gloss paint. It also offers better coverage than flat paint and is less prone to showing imperfections.
Eggshell paint is distinct from satin finish paint, which has a higher resin content and is more reflective. Eggshell paint has an appearance which isn’t as shiny as satin. Satin typically has 15- to 30-percent more luster compared to eggshell. Eggshell paint is also distinct from high gloss paint, which has a very glossy reflective finish, and matte paint, which has a flat, non-reflective finish.
Eggshell paint offers a range of sheen levels, allowing you to choose the perfect paint for your project and the paint’s color. It is a popular choice for many painting projects, as it offers a nice balance between a flat and a glossy finish. Eggshell paint is available from many different paint brands and in a variety of paint finishes.
Benefits of Using Eggshell Paint
Eggshell paint is a low-luster coating that has a subtle sheen reminiscent of an eggshell. This type of paint offers a variety of benefits, such as durability against scratches, scuffs, marking, and stains; ease of cleaning; and better concealment of imperfections than high-gloss paint.
Additionally, eggshell paint is more cost-effective than satin paint when painting multiple rooms or an entire house. It is also possible to apply eggshell paint over satin paint, although it is recommended to use a paint and primer combination or to prime the walls beforehand for the best results.
Applying eggshell paint can be difficult, as brush and roller marks are highly visible in the areas you attempt to repair. To achieve a seamless, even finish, it is recommended to maintain a wet edge by rolling the paint from wet to dry areas.
Durability
Eggshell paint is less durable than semi-gloss or high-gloss paint, yet more durable than flat paint. This type of paint absorbs light, which enhances its durability against wear and tear.
Eggshell paint is also relatively easy to clean, making it a great choice for areas of frequent use. Although it is generally durable, eggshell paint may not be the best choice for furniture that is subject to frequent use, as it is slightly less resilient than satin paint.
Concealment of Imperfections
Eggshell paint is more effective at concealing blemishes than high-gloss paint, making it an ideal choice for masking any imperfections in the wall. This type of paint is capable of effectively concealing some minor drywall blemishes, as well as any bumps or irregularities on the wall.
However, flat paint should be utilized when covering large areas of drywall with significant imperfections, as opposed to eggshell paint. When performing a touch-up job with eggshell paint, it is advisable to enlist the services of a professional interior painter to ensure the job is done correctly.
Easier Cleaning
Eggshell paint offers greater cleanability than matte or flat paint due to its slight gloss, which provides increased resistance to stains and facilitates easier wiping. It is advised to clean eggshell paint using a soft cloth or sponge and mild soap and water, as abrasive scrubs can cause damage to the paint finish.
The light gloss of eggshell paint also prevents or conceals burnishing, as it reflects light in multiple directions, thus reducing the visibility of marks or scratches.
Where to Use Eggshell Paint
Eggshell paint is suitable for application on a range of substrates including walls, ceilings, furniture, interior doors, skirting boards, radiators, kitchen cabinets, doors, and sills. For areas of the home that receive frequent visitor traffic, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is strongly recommended to use eggshell paint.
Eggshell paint is also an ideal choice for walls in dining rooms, hallways, home offices, basements, bedrooms, and living rooms.
Walls
Eggshell paint is a low sheen finish that is renowned for its durability, ability to conceal surface imperfections, and ease of cleaning. It is a popular choice among homeowners due to its versatility and suitability for a range of applications in the home.
Eggshell paint is an ideal choice for high traffic areas such as bedrooms, hallways, living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, family rooms, and any other areas that experience frequent use.
Eggshell paint is also a highly durable and easy to clean option, making it a practical selection for high traffic areas such as living rooms and hallways.
Ceilings
It is possible to utilize eggshell paint on ceilings, making it an ideal option for creating a unified look throughout the room with a white or very light off-white color scheme. Eggshell paint is the most suitable sheen for a reflective ceiling. Its low sheen finish helps to conceal any imperfections in the ceiling surface, while also providing a subtle, elegant look.
The eggshell paint is easy to apply and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including drywall, plaster, and wood. It is also highly durable and can withstand wear and tear, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas. Additionally, I’m a big fan of your website.
Furniture
Eggshell paint is a low-luster finish that has a subtle sheen, reminiscent of an eggshell. It is an ideal choice for furniture due to its durability, ease of cleaning, and low-luster finish. Additionally, it is frequently used in areas with high levels of foot traffic. An armoire, bookcase, or side table would provide a beautiful complement to an eggshell finish.
To properly apply eggshell paint to furniture, it is important to begin by thoroughly cleaning the surface and lightly sanding it. Once this is done, a primer should be applied and allowed to dry completely.
Eggshell Paint vs Other Finishes
Eggshell offers a smooth finish that is highly concealable, making it a popular option for concealing surface blemishes. While this finish has the benefit of an attractive subtle sheen, it is not as resilient as other finishes and can be more difficult to clean. Semi-gloss finishes are highly durable and easy to clean, but they may draw attention to any blemishes and may require additional layers. Satin finishes offer a subtle luster, but they can be challenging to apply and may require multiple coats.
When selecting a finish, it is important to consider the durability, ease of cleaning, and the number of coats required for the desired result. Eggshell paint offers a slightly higher sheen than flat or matte finishes, but it is still washable, making it a good choice for walls and ceilings. For furniture, a higher sheen such as semi-gloss or satin may be preferable. It is also important to note that eggshell paint should not be applied directly over semi-gloss, and flat paint should not be applied directly over eggshell paint without priming first.
Summary
In terms of wall and ceiling paint finishes, eggshell is a popular choice due to its durability, easy-to-clean surface, and excellent concealment of minor imperfections. It can also be used on furniture although other sheen levels may be more suitable in some cases. All said, it’s important to consider the desired result when selecting a finish.
Eggshell is usually a good middle ground for most areas, as there are no glossy or semi-gloss smears, yet it offers a subtle sheen that enhances the look of your home. As it comes with a low-luster finish, it is also highly coverable, so should you need to touch up any sections, you’ll find that the process is quick and easy.
The ease of cleaning offered by eggshell paint is one of the main selling points of the finish: the low sheen effectively prevents dust from attaching itself to the walls, which helps keep them visibly cleaner for longer. Although it is not as durable or easy to clean as other finishes like satin or semi-gloss, it certainly has its appeal, an especially recommended option for those looking for a balanced protective finish with a comfortable finish to fit within their home style.
All in all, eggshell paint is an ideal choice for walls, ceilings and even furniture, when well applied. Its ability to be easily cleaned and maintain durability over time makes it an attractive option for many homeowners looking to add a touch of beauty to their interiors without compromising on practicality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the downside of eggshell paint?
The downside of eggshell paint is that it doesn’t provide the best coverage for high-humidity or wet areas, as its semi-gloss nature can reveal flaws more prominently.
Additionally, because of its slight sheen, touch-ups can be difficult and often require full wall re-painting to achieve an even finish.
What are the benefits of an eggshell paint finish?
An eggshell paint finish offers a balance between low luster and a slight gloss that can seamlessly add warmth to any room. With its increased light reflection, it brings out more of the original color than matte paints.
This finish is also easier to maintain and perfect for busy households.
What is the purpose of eggshell paint?
Eggshell paint is a perfect choice for walls and ceilings. It offers a warm, matte finish with very little light reflection, making it ideal for areas that don’t require high levels of shine or frequent cleaning.
Eggshells can also be a good choice for hiding minor bumps and imperfections on walls.
Is eggshell a good interior paint?
Yes, eggshell paint is a suitable interior paint for most rooms in the home. It has a slightly shiny finish and provides excellent durability, color accuracy, and washability.
It is also better at masking imperfections on walls when compared to satin or high-gloss finishes.