Best Vinyl Matt Emulsion for walls

I’ve been a decorator for the past 18 years and I’m a little bit of a geek when it comes to paint products. I thought I’d sit down and write a quick (and honest) guide to vinyl matt.  To state the obvious, trade paint is of better quality than retail, so you should always look for the word “trade” on the tin.

There are many different brands of trade vinyl matt, I’m going to give you a brief review of the mainstream options, so you can decide for yourself the best vinyl matt emulsion for your walls. If you are decorating a high traffic area, or you have pets or children then you may be better off this a durable matt emulsion.

You can buy trade paint by going directly to a trade counter, where you’ll receive expert advice and guidance. However, unless you qualify for a trade discount, it will almost certainly be cheaper to buy this type of paint online. Plus, by buying online, you can have any colour from one brand mixed into the product of another brand. For example, you could get a Farrow & Ball colour in Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt. Or a Dulux colour in Johnstone’s Covaplus. To that end, I’ll link each of the vinyl matt products to an appropriate website as we go along.

Durable Matt Vs Vinyl Matt

I couldn’t write a vinyl matt review and guide without touching on the durable matt Vs vinyl matt debate. There’s a time and place for both.

The obvious difference between the two is that the polymer binder used in vinyl matt is polyvinyl and the polymer in durable matt is acrylic. (I’m speaking in very general terms because there are a lot of copolymers used nowadays).

Acrylic is more durable and waterproof than polyvinyl; however, it is more expensive.

Durable matt emulsion might be used in a kitchen, bathroom, utility room, or high-traffic area. Some people use durable matt emulsion in every room.

Vinyl matt is mostly used in rooms like bedrooms, your lounge, a study etc. Anywhere the paint isn’t going to get marked or come into contact with moisture.

The quality of durable matt emulsion differs vastly. One of the downsides of using acrylic rather than vinyl, is it can show defects like flashing unless you get the balance of the paint perfect. My favourite durable matt emulsion is Crown Clean Extreme, but we do have a full guide, which you can view here.

Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt Review

I never used to like Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt. Until recently, it contained a poor-quality polymer which led to problems like flashing and picture framing. This, coupled with the high price tag that Dulux Trade set for their paint, gave it a bad reputation.

However, it’s different now. Their vinyl matt has been reformulated and now performs very well. The opacity in white is poor, but it’s great in colours. The paint flows well and leaves you with a fantastic finish.

This is a product that I use a lot. As a Decorator, I know that most of my customers already know and love Dulux, so it’s an easy sell. In my opinion, it’s much better that Farrow and Ball.

Click here to see online prices.

Macphersons Vinyl Matt Review

Made by the same company who own Crown, this is the value brand. Macphersons is just that, a cheaper alternative but not quite as good. Still a lot better than retail paint and it definitely has its place. You can’t touch this stuff up and it marks easily. 6/10

Johnstone’s Covaplus Review

Covaplus is Johnstone’s version of vinyl matt. As with the Dulux and Crown alternatives, you can pick this paint up in just about any colour, and any size pot, from tester to 10L bucket.

Johnstone’s are very good at matching colours from other brands, which comes in very handy at times, especially when you want a Farrow and Ball colour at a cheaper price.

The opacity and ease of use of Covaplus is good for a vinyl matt. It leaves a flat, chalky finish which looks lovely. This used to be the best standard vinyl matt paints on the market, but they’ve fiddled with the formula in recent years, and it can, on occasion, flash. It’s still a good vinyl matt emulsion though.

I’d score Covaplus 7/10 Click here to see online prices.

Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt Review

PPG’s value brand. Leyland trade vinyl matt does everything that Covaplus does, but sometimes needs an extra coat. For the sake of a few quid you may as well go with the Covaplus. 7/10

Johnstone’s Perfect Matt Review

This is by far the most premium product on the list. Perfect matt is Johnstone’s answer to designer emulsions such as Farrow and Ball or Little Greene and although it is expensive, Perfect Matt is something very special.

The finish is luxurious, deep and the flattest matt you’re ever going to come across. It’s actually durable too and you can touch it up without any visible flashing. No issues with roller marks, flashing or picture framing and the opacity is bang on. This is probably the best emulsion on the market, however it does come with a hefty price tag. If you don’t mind spending a little bit more to get the best finish possible, then Johnstone’s Perfect Matt is the one you want. 10/10 for me on this one but it depends on budget. Click here to see online prices.

Armstead Vinyl Matt Review

Owned by the same company as Dulux, Armstead is the value brand and Dulux is supposedly the premium. Armstead Trade Vinyl Matt is cheaper and has less of a sheen level, meaning you get less problems and a nicer finish.

The only downside is the opacity isn’t as good as Dulux, but you rarely need more than two coats so it’s all good. I prefer this brand over Dulux. It’s a great choice and one of my favourites as it represents great value for money. 7/10 from me. Click here to see online prices.

Crown Trade Vinyl Matt Review

The biggest positive I can say about Crown trade vinyl is its cheap and you get value for money. The paint isn’t very durable, in fact it’s more like a contract matt in that sense. You get a nice flat finish and opacity is good. Add a drop of water to help it flow. A good product at a great price and I do use it from time to time. I wouldn’t use it in my own house because of the lack of durability. Another 7/10, if it was as expensive as some of the others I’d mark it lower. Click here to see online prices. 

Farrow and Ball Estate and Modern Emulsion Review

Two separate and very different products, but we’ll talk about them together. The first thing to mention is Farrow and Ball emulsion lacks opacity, and you will need to use the specified primer before applying your topcoats of paint. Considering the cost of Farrow and Ball is extortionate, many begrudge having to buy the extra product or apply an extra coat.

Farrow and Ball Estate emulsion is a true flat matt and the finish is nice to be fair. Colours are rich and luxurious, but the paint itself dries very chalky. This means it is very easily marked so it is no good in high traffic areas.

The Modern Emulsion is more of a “durable emulsion” to be fair. The finish is ok, however the sheen level is a little on the high site for a “vinyl matt”. This, along with the opacity issues let down a bit. Still an ok paint.

If Farrow and Ball were the same price as a tin of Armstead then fair enough, I’d be “painting” it in a better light. For me, both Farrow and Ball emulsion products are below the standard they should be for the price bracket they place themselves. There are better products out there. I’ll give them a collective 4/10. Click here to see online prices.

The Best Tools to Apply Vinyl Matt Emulsion

You’re reading this blog because you want to find the best vinyl matt emulsion, which is brilliant. However, your choice of tools will also make a big difference when trying to achieve that perfect finish.

You should use a brush that holds plenty of paint, holds its shape, won’t drag, and is soft enough to ‘lay off’ without leaving brush marks. My favourite is ProDec Ice Fusion, which ticks all the boxes. Its bristles are tapered from base to tip, meaning there is more room within the brush to hold paint. Click here to see online prices.

You also need a good roller when applying vinyl matt. I like Hamilton Perfection Medium Pile (green). They hold plenty of paint, spread it evenly, and leave no orange peel. Click here to see online prices.

How to Apply Vinyl Matt Emulsion

Now you know what the best vinyl matt emulsion is, I thought it would be helpful if I quickly explained the steps you should take to apply it.

Sheet up

Move furniture, cover the floor with dust sheets, and protect sockets from overspray with masking tape.

Apply a mist coat

This step only applies if you’re painting over bare plaster. Dilute the first coat of paint by between 10% and 20% (check the manufacturer’s guidelines). This is to aid adhesion. Cut in with a brush and roll the middle.

Prep

Whether you’re working on a previously painted surface, or you’ve just mist coated, the preparation is the next step. Look over the surface and fill any imperfections with a good-quality filler. Once dry, abrade using aluminium oxide paper. Run some smooth sandpaper over the whole surface.

Remove dust

Dust inhibits adhesion and can cause paint to bubble. We run a household brush or dust brush over the surface before painting.

Apply your vinyl matt emulsion

Cut in around the edge of the surface with your paint, and then roll the middle. Allow to dry and then repeat the process. Your painting will then be complete.

FAQs

Can you use vinyl matt on a ceiling?

You can have a problem with certain vinyl matt emulsion paints on ceilings. Particularly in open plan rooms, or rooms with lots of natural light. The best advice I can give you is use White rather than ‘Brilliant White’. The slightly duller colour means less light is bounced off the surface, and defects like flashing and picture framing aren’t as apparent.

What is the difference between vinyl matt and eggshell?

The main difference between vinyl matt and eggshell is the sheen level. Matt had a chalky, low-sheen finish (no more than 6%), whereas eggshell is a little shinier (around 20%). Eggshell is also far more durable than vinyl matt, so it’s more suitable for a kitchen or bathroom.

Where do you use vinyl matt paint?

Vinyl matt paint is used on interior walls and ceilings. It isn’t durable enough for use in high traffic areas, but it’s great in a lounge or bedroom.