Like most professional decorators, I’ve seen a lot of changes in the industry in my time. Not so long ago we mostly used oil-based gloss to paint the woodwork inside (or outside) peoples’ houses.
Nowadays I mostly use water-based satinwood or eggshell, and only use gloss occasionally. This is largely driven by fashion – high gloss finishes are simply no longer as popular as they used to be. But there are also practical reasons behind these changes.
For more on the reasons behind the change from oil- to water-based paints, see our separate blog here. For more on eggshell Vs satinwood, the pros and cons of each, and the differences between them, please read on!
I should also say at this point that the definition of which paint falls under which heading is somewhat arbitrary; I know some “matt” paints (Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard Matt for example) which are bordering on the lower sheen end of eggshell, and some “eggshell” paints (e.g. Farrow & Ball Modern Eggshell) which are closer to satin finishes.
Many manufacturers use a numerical scale based on sheen level, where 0% sheen means no reflectivity at all, and 100% sheen is the shiniest surface you can imagine. For me, an eggshell paint would be around 20% on this scale, but anywhere between 15 – 30 probably qualifies. A satinwood is typically around 40. For comparison, matt paints are typically below 10, and gloss is around 80.
What is Eggshell Paint? Pros and Cons
The subtle, soft low-sheen appearance of eggshell has certainly come back into fashion in recent years. There are some great eggshell paints around in both oil- and water-based formulations – see our separate blog on the best eggshell paints for woodwork by clicking here. Personally, I’m a big eggshell fan, and love to use it for colour drenching projects, for wood panelling, and just for general woodwork around the house, especially in lower-traffic areas like bedrooms, “snugs” etc.
Pros of Eggshell Paint
- Elegant, subtle finish.
- Being low sheen, it hides imperfections well.
- Easier to clean than flat matt finishes.
Cons of Eggshell Paint
- Can show marks and scuffs more easily than higher sheen paints.
- Can be less durable, and less easy to clean, than higher sheen paints, so may not be ideally suited to high traffic areas.
However, modern paint technology is improving all the time, and there are some very hard-wearing water-based eggshell paints available these days, such as Bedec Advanced Eggshell, or Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard Matt.
What is Satinwood Paint? Pros and Cons
Satin’s mid-sheen finish aims to offer the best of both worlds – the durability and ease of cleaning of a gloss, combined with the more subtle elegant finish of an eggshell. It’s a modern mid-point between the two more traditional options.
For these very practical reasons, it is without a doubt the finish that I use the most on woodwork in customers’ houses, and I suspect that most other decorators would tell you the same thing.
It does give a lovey smooth finish, and is ideal for woodwork in high traffic areas, especially if you choose a hard-wearing one such as WRX Satin, or Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard Satin. Again, you can read our blog on the best satin paints on the market here.
Pros of Satin Paint
- Generally, more durable and easier to clean than eggshell.
- Suitable for high traffic areas.
- Less shiny, more modern finish than gloss.
Cons of Satin Paint
- More reflective than eggshell, so imperfections are slightly more visible.
- Less subtle or understated than eggshell
Satinwood Vs Eggshell Paint
A lot of that decision will come down to personal preference. For example, my daughter and I both love eggshell’s subtle, understated appearance, but my wife is regularly asking me to repaint certain rooms in the house, because the skirting marks and isn’t as easy to clean. So, some of it is personal taste, but here are some factors to consider when choosing between eggshell and satin paint:
Sheen level
Do you prefer the slightly higher sheen of satin vs eggshell? Or do you prefer eggshell’s lower sheen subtle look, or need to hide imperfections better?
Durability
Is the surface likely to suffer a lot of wear and tear? Satins generally stand up to scuffs and marks better than eggshells, but there are harder-wearing eggshells appearing on the market now…
Cleaning and Maintenance
Because satinwoods have a smoother finish, they are easier to wipe down, so cleaning is easier. Being harder wearing, it may be that you don’t need to repaint satin as often either…
Location
Bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms (lower traffic areas) look great with eggshell woodwork, and eggshell is also ideal for wood panelling and colour drenching projects. Higher traffic areas like hallways, kitchens and children’s bedrooms benefit from the durability and easy-cleaning properties of satins.
Room Aesthetics
This may just be me(!), but for me satin looks perfect in modern houses. Crisp white satin door frames with oiled oak doors, or white satin spindles with oak handrails, just look perfect! In an older property, eggshell’s subtle appearance and imperfection-hiding properties make it more suitable. Maybe just my opinion…
Conclusion
There is no real right or wrong answer. It’s a balance between personal taste and the factors listed above – sheen level, durability, ease of cleaning and maintenance, location and room aesthetics.
One factor may outweigh another; even in an older property, you may choose satinwood over eggshell in a high traffic area for its durability. Or in a modern house you may choose eggshell over satinwood in a “snug” because it just works with the room’s aesthetic and the look and feel you are trying to create. Only you can make the decision, but there are some great paints available to choose from in either camp to help you create the look you want.
FAQs
Can you use eggshell or satinwood on exterior surfaces?
Yes, absolutely, but make sure you choose one that is specifically designed for exterior use, or at the very least states that it can be used both inside and out. Paint that is suitable for exterior use contains additional ingredients to help it withstand the extremes of our weather. One of my favourites is Sandtex Trade Eggshell X-Tra – lovely to use, and gives a fantastic long-lasting finish on exterior wood and metal.
Can satin and eggshell be used together in the same room?
Well, it’s not something I’m asked to do very often, but there’s no reason why not if that’s the look you want to create. I worked for one gentleman who wanted all his doors painted white gloss, and the rest of the woodwork white eggshell. After a few years, he got me back because he felt the contrast was too much, so we repainted the doors in satin. He never explained to me why he liked it, it was just his personal taste (and I suspect he liked to be able to wipe the doors down) and he liked it that way. It’s his house, his call. Feel free to experiment if you feel it might work in your home.
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