Eggshell is a type of gloss or sheen for interior paint. Its low gloss makes it cleanable and somewhat resistant to wear and tear. Along with its closest gloss grade, satin, eggshell is considered a universal paint gloss that can be used on walls for most interior surfaces.
What Is Eggshell Paint?
Eggshell is a paint sheen, or gloss, that looks and feels somewhat flat but with a slight gloss. Eggshell paint is between matte (or flat) and satin paint sheens.
Eggshell paint reflects more light than matte paint. This low luster pulls out more of the paint’s color than a flat sheen, giving the room a soft glow. Because eggshell paint has a slight gloss, it is easier to maintain than matte or flat paint.
Sheen
Sheen, or gloss, is the quality and amount of reflected light off of a surface. Higher sheens are shinier. When there is a greater proportion of resins in the paint, the paint has more sheen or gloss.
When and Why to Use Eggshell Paint
Eggshell paint sheen works especially well for walls in bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, offices, and finished basem*nts. It can even be used in higher-traffic spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms or children’s rooms, though satin is a more durable choice.
Flat paint is the most popular ceiling surface because it isn't reflective. However, if you'd like your ceiling to have some luster, eggshell paint would be the best sheen for this.
For high-impact surfaces such as door frames and window trim, you'll get better results by using glossier paint such as semi-gloss or even high gloss. Still, if you'd like to avoid the high-gloss look on casing and trim, eggshell sheen paint is an alternative.
How to Choose the Right Interior Paint Finish
Benefits of Using Eggshell Paint
Eggshell paint offers advantages over flatter paints like matte or glossier paints like semi-gloss or satin.
Conceals Surface Flaws
The glossier the paint, the more it shows imperfections. Eggshell is a great compromise because it doesn’t highlight imperfections like high-gloss paint, but is easier to maintain than matte paint.
Applies Easily
Eggshell paint applies easily and mitigates lapping. Lapping occurs during application when adjacent rows show because they overlap each other. The glossier the paint, the more noticeable the lapping. Eggshell is just flat enough that lapping is minimized.
Tip
With any paint gloss, it's best to avoid lapping in the first place. Keep a wet edge by rolling paint from the wet to dry areas.
Cleans Well
Eggshell paint has just enough gloss to prevent stains from soaking in. Eggshell paint doesn't wipe down as easily as semi-gloss or satin paint. But it has enough gloss that you can avoid the paint touch-ups required with flat paint.
Eggshell Paint vs Satin Paint
Although satin and eggshell paints are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences that make a difference in the look and feel painting with them achieves.
Flatter Than Satin
Eggshell has a slightly duller sheen than satin. This difference is hard to discern with the bare eye until the two are placed next to each other. Then, it becomes apparent that the satin sheen has just a bit more gloss than the eggshell.
PVC (pigment volume concentration) describes the ratio of color pigments in a paint to its binders. Lower PVC numbers mean that the paint is glossier. In terms of PVC ratings, satin paint is about 30- to 40 percent PVC and eggshell is about 35- to 45 percent PVC.
Lower Cost Than Satin
Many factors affect the cost of paint and sheen is one of them. Glossier paints are more expensive than flatter paints. You can feel the difference simply by lifting the cans. There are more of the solid binders in the glossier paints than in the flatter paints.
Eggshell paint is a little less expensive than satin paint. This slight difference in cost makes itself apparent when you buy multiple gallons of paint to coat many rooms or an entire house.
Slightly Less Durable Than Satin
As you move from flat paints to glossy paints, you also move the needle from less durable to more durable. More of the resinous binders in paint form a tighter seal and shell than paints with less binders.
Eggshell Paint vs Flat or Matte Paint
Flat or matte paint has no gloss. Its velvety, chalky appearance resists reflection. The lack of reflection hides bumps, grooves, and pits in the wall surface.
Flat paint is used most often on ceilings. White flat paint hides shadows that darken ceilings.
One downside of matte paint is that it can only be cleaned lightly with a damp sponge. Sometimes, it's easier to touch up matte paint with new paint rather than trying to clean it.
Burnishing is a problem with matte paint. Burnishing happens when the paint is rubbed too much and takes on a light, almost reflective, color. Eggshell’s light gloss is strong enough to prevent mild burnishing and glossier enough to disguise burnishing when it occurs.
FAQ
Where should you not use eggshell paint?
Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas. You can use eggshell paint in bathrooms, but due to the high moisture in these rooms, using a glossier paint such as satin or semi-gloss is often a good idea.
Do interior designers use flat or eggshell paint more often?
Interior designers recommend eggshell paint more often than flat paint, as it can be used in more areas throughout the home.
What rooms should be painted with eggshell paint?
Most rooms' walls can be painted with eggshell paint: bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms. Eggshell paint can be used on nearly every type of interior wall. For trim and other high-contact surfaces, use semi-gloss paint.
