Satin And Flat Paint – Which Is Best For Your Project?

Brief Overview Of Satin And Flat Paint

Want to paint your walls, but don’t know which type of paint to use? You’re not alone!

Some consumers want to save money when choosing a paint, while others are willing to pay more for high-quality paint. That’s where satin and flat paint come in!

Ever wondered what these two types of paint have in common, and how they differ from each other? Good news! We’re here to demystify the two paints!

In this brief overview, we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of both satin and flat paint.

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What’s the Difference Between Satin Paint vs Semi-Gloss?

Satin Paint

Satin paint is said to be a durable type of paint. Even in the moistest places, satin paint proves to be strong enough to withstand such climates. Just keep in mind that the glossiness of the satin paint might highlight imperfections like cracks and poor patches.

Flat Paint

Flat paint, on the other hand, has its ups and downs.

First, flat paint is good for hiding imperfections. Instead of unintentionally highlighting imperfections, flat paint can make them invisible.

Now, the main disadvantages of flat paint are that you can’t wipe off the surfaces without taking bits of paint with you; and the paint isn’t as durable and appealing as satin paint. 

Now that we’ve gotten to know about the two types of paint, it’s time to compare them side by side when it comes to:

• Appearance
• Application
• Costs
• Ideal Use
• Maintenance, AND
• Durability

Appearance

How you want your walls to look depends on the paint that you use. Plus, you must consider the condition of the walls when deciding which paint to use. With that said, satin paint is ideal for new walls that are professionally finished with a smooth surface, while flat paint is ideal for walls with imperfections like cracks, bumps, and holes.

The verdict?

• Flat paint for worn walls. 
• Satin paint for newer walls.

Application

No matter which paints you use, you’ll need to prepare your walls for applying paint. Here are some things to do before you start painting:

• Remove anything and everything from the walls.
• Pull furniture away from the walls.
• Wipe down the walls for dirt and grime.
• Sand off any loose paint.
• Patch up any holes in the wall.
• Use a coat of primer before you start painting with either satin or flat paint.

In short, the application process is pretty much the same, regardless of which paint you plan on using.

Costs

Typically, flat paint is cheaper to buy than satin paint. Even when buying a primer with your project, flat paint is still cheaper than satin. Because satin paint is higher in quality, expect to pay more for it.

So, keep in mind:

• Flat paint is a cheaper option. AND,
• Satin paint is for consumers that want to pay more for higher quality.

Ideal Use

So, what are the two types of paint good for? Well, here’s an overview of the ideal uses for each.

Use flat paints for:

• Hiding imperfections on walls
• Painting in a spare bedroom or office, AND
• To make the walls glare less

Then, use satin paints for:

• Painting high-traffic areas (i.e. kitchens), AND
• To make walls moisture-resistant

Remember: Know what kind of wall(s) you’ll be painting before choosing a paint to work with.

Maintenance

It’s easier to maintain satin paints than flat paints. Suppose you want to scrub your wall. If your wall has flat paint on it, scrubbing the surface will remove some of the paint rather than just dirt, which can be problematic if you don’t want the paint to have any wear and tear. But with satin paint, you can scrub the wall clean with confidence, and then enjoy a tougher and shinier surface. Click here to read more.

Therefore:

• Don’t try to scrub your walls that are painted with flat paint.
• Enjoy a shinier, tougher surface when scrubbing your satin-painted wall.

Durability

Finally, how durable the paint will be will depend on the wall that it’s painted on. 

Flat paints might be able to withstand any situation if there’s little to no traffic in the room. Otherwise, the paint will run the risk of chipping away over time. 

Satin paints are made with materials that make them durable for pretty much any wall surface. Despite the glossiness that might give some wall cracks and imperfections away, this is a paint that won’t chip away as easily as flat paint would. 

So, the verdict on durability?

• Flat paints aren’t expected to last long without chipping. 
• Satin paints are stronger and more durable.

Conclusion

As you can see, satin and flat paints have their own advantages and disadvantages. But which one is better?

Well, that would ultimately depend on your project. 

We hope that this brief overview has helped you pick the best paint to work with for your next DIY wall project!

Christina Lee is a project manager and a technical writer at the Term paper writing service.