What Is Eggshell Paint?

When it’s time to decorate or remodel your home, it can be an exciting project to take on.

You have the opportunity to transform your home and give it a “facelift.” It can also be pretty daunting, however.

Repairing the walls and ceilings is no enviable task, but something most of us have to do at some point.

Before all this, though, you will have to pick out certain paints and colors. Sounds easy, right?

Well, if you have ever decorated before, you will understand how frustrating it can be trying to choose the right paint and finish for your layout.

There are a variety of factors to consider when selecting the type of paint you desire.

For instance, you need to decide if you want, such as matte, satin, high-gloss, semi-gloss, or eggshell.

All of these have their own benefits and unique properties. But, which one should you choose?

Paint colors are not the only factor that affects a room’s aesthetic – the sheen has a significant impact, too.

That is why we want to help you decide if eggshell paint is the right choice for your design.

An eggshell finish is a popular choice, as it typically looks stylish and helps to draw out the best of a paint’s hue.

It is also easy to clean up after and pretty resistant to wear and tear.

But, is it right for your decorative purposes? Let’s find out as we guide you through what eggshell paint is and when you should use it.

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Eggshell Paint: Explained

It’s not just the color of paint that should grab the limelight. No, the sheen is just as important in affecting the overall aesthetics of your layout.

Whilst paint colors are what everyone tends to notice first in a room, having the right sheen with the right color can turn a room from a zero into a ten out of ten design.

So, what about eggshell paint? What is it? Eggshell paint is completely unique when compared to other paint finishes.

The main difference is how reflective it is. It sits in between the high reflective sheen of semi- or high-gloss paint, but is glossier than flat or low-gloss paints.

Therefore, it is deemed to be a safe option as it offers the best of both worlds.

Eggshell paint is similar to flat paint in that it is useful for covering up marks or imperfections on a wall’s surface.

Moreover, it can add some depth of color to a room, as glossier finishes provide.

Eggshell paint is truly universal. Also similar to satin, eggshell finishes look attractive on just about any wall inside your home. However, it is not considered appropriate for ceilings.

When Should You Use Eggshell Paint?

Eggshell paint is perfect for your home’s interior walls, especially in bedrooms, hallways, office spaces, living rooms, and basements.

Its finish is also robust enough for higher-traffic areas, such as the bathroom, kid’s playrooms, and the kitchen.

That being said, satin paint is considered the most durable of the two.

In general, you should not use eggshell paint on your ceilings. Instead, a flat paint finish is the best option, as it doesn’t have any reflective properties.

Then again, maybe you would like your ceiling to have some sort of reflective quality. If so, eggshell paint can be used.

Eggshell paint isn’t the right choice for all interior parts of your home. High-impact surfaces, such as window frames, window ledges, and door frames, are better off with a coat or so of glossier paint.

We recommend high-gloss or semi-gloss paint. But, as with ceilings, if you do not want an overly glossy appearance in these areas, eggshell paint is the next best bet.

Eggshell paint is a good choice if you wish to cover imperfections on walls. Like flat paint (another solid option), an eggshell finish blends small imperfections in drywall so you can achieve a clean, smooth finish.

In high-traffic areas, there will always be slight marks and nicks on the walls.

By using eggshell paint, you will usually be able to blend it well with the existing finish without the appearance of new brush strokes.

Eggshell paint should also be used in rooms where you do not intend to paint for many years to come.

Examples include vaulted ceilings or high walls. An eggshell finish will stand the test of time, so you won’t have to do all that hard work again any time soon.

Do you have a budget you want to keep low? If so, eggshell paint’s affordability is another reason you should use it.

Nevertheless, some other types of paint may not be as expensive, but, looking in the long-term, you should save money as it is long-lasting and durable.

And, compared to satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss paints, eggshell is much more affordable.

When Not To Use Eggshell Paint

There are some instances where eggshell paint is not the right option. Some examples would be:

Exterior surfaces
Exceedingly high impact areas of your home
Large areas of drywall imperfections

Exterior paints need to withstand all weather conditions and elements.

Therefore, it is usually designed specifically to last longer in such an environment.

Eggshell paint may struggle in areas of moisture or where the temperature regularly fluctuates.

Whilst eggshell paint can be used on medium to high-impact areas, it may not always be strong enough on surfaces that are used constantly every day, such as door frames, garage rooms, and window frames.

For smaller imperfections on walled surfaces, eggshell paint can do the job nicely.

But, it may not always hide large imperfections or deep marks. Instead, we suggest using flat paint.

Where should I use eggshell paint?

Eggshell paint is best suited to areas where dirt does not collect or traffic is light. In addition, its medium-level durability provides additional protection an uncoated finish lacks.

Which is better eggshell or satin?

Compared with an eggshell finish, a satin finish is more durable, scuff-resistant, and makes a great finishing option in high-traffic areas such as living rooms, family rooms, dining rooms, children’s rooms, and entryways.

In Summary

When you’re decorating a room, you must consider the type of paint you are using to ensure it is durable enough and has the right finish for your tastes.

Eggshell paint offers an excellent balance in terms of its sheen, coverage, and durability.

If you have an interior space that needs painting, eggshell paint is almost always a safe bet on walled surfaces.