Satin vs. Matte: What's the Difference?

Getting a new coat of paint freshens up your house and breathes new life into the place. But first, you need to pick a finish. Two of the most popular solutions are satin and matte. They differ drastically, and one is more suitable for certain areas than the other.

Let's explore the critical features of matte and satin finishes:

Matte

Matte paint provides walls with a velvety, luxurious finish. Walls with a matte finish are virtually devoid of shine, delivering a softer appearance. As a result, it accents rooms with lacquered furniture and highlights wood trim.

There are several advantages to matte finishes. Apart from their warm appearance, they also hide imperfections on the surface. Additionally, they complement areas with direct sunlight perfectly and offer an ideal base for correcting small spots on the ceiling or walls.

That said, a matte finish comes with some disadvantages. Most notably, it's not durable and is prone to shiny spots near switch plates or handrails. It's also not suitable for messy areas, as the softer texture traps more dust and dirt than other paint types. Removing stains and spills is also hard to do without harming the finish.

Recommended rooms for matte paint

Matte finishes are ideal for formal dining rooms, studies, home libraries, and any other space where a luxurious appearance matters and there's low traffic. They can be applied to ceilings to create subtle contrasts with satin walls. Plus, they're perfect for rental properties since you can correct them without a hitch.

Satin

Satin finishes include a wide range of sheen types that reflect some light. However, they're still soft enough to prevent a wet-gloss look with too much reflection. The main difference between satin and matte paint is that the former is more vibrant. It's also much more durable, as it can withstand high-traffic areas, such as staircase walls and entryways.

Another great benefit of satin finishes is minimal maintenance. You can wash most satin paint coats with a regular household cleaner, and the job doesn't take much time to complete. On top of that, their subtle sheen can make nearly any color more vivid and reinvigorate the place.

Nevertheless, satin finishes aren't perfect. They require much more preparation and accuracy because any imperfections (e.g., drywall dings and nail pops) will be noticeable. Unlike matte paint, satin coats are also tricky to blend into an existing finish. Lastly, some contractors may apply off-white eggshell that is bland and lacking style or character - unless specified otherwise.

Recommended rooms for satin paint

Most paintwork experts suggest satin finishes in high-traffic rooms that require a durable and soft coat. These areas include bedrooms and living rooms.

For more advice on the right finish in your house, reach out to an experienced painting company.

M & B Painting, a Father-Son family-run business, has a proven record of Service Excellence in residential and commercial interior and exterior paint projects. Call us at 623-289-3366 for all of your painting needs!