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FLAT or MATTE

31K views 34 replies 20 participants last post by  woodcoyote 
#1 ·
I have never used a "matte" finish, what is the difference between matte and flat. I would have thought they mean the same thing. Matte is new (relatively) to paint finishes and I never got around to using it anywhere.
 
#3 ·
That being the case, I'll not likely see a need for it in the future. If I want flat I want dead flat (touches up better than any sheen). The PPG eggshell is pretty matte IMO and for houses with kiddies I tend to favor it for scrub-ability. I rarely go a sheen above eggshell on anything.
 
#5 ·
Matte is actually a European (French?) term for flat. So in Canada......does it mean a very slight sheen or does it actually mean dead flat? Quebec-dead flat maybe and everywhere else sheen? Who knows?
 
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#8 ·
Dont use mattes on ceilings. Thats my advice.
I agree. On a job with my old boss, we had a 25ft ceiling that the HO wanted to be painted with a matte finish. It was a nightmare. We tried spraying and back rolling, just rolling, just spraying, ended up doing 4 coats and it still had an uneven sheen and some lines. It didn't help that there was a double row of windows on two of the walls so you had a massive amount of natural light shining on the ceiling...
 
#10 ·
I use matte finish on walls most of the time. matte is my choice of sheen for walls, because it is more washable than flat, and touches up well. I only use eggshell if a client insists it be used. We also occasionally do glossy accent walls. We only use flat on ceilings, with the rare exception of glossy ceilings for certain decorators.

Most people can't see the difference in sheen with matte compared to flat on walls, unless you touch up one with the other. However, most people can tell the difference on ceilings. Most of the clients we work with do not want flat, because it is not washable.
 
#12 ·
Any of the Matte paints I have used (AKA Regal, Aura) Are advertised as a wall paint and are generally a higher quality paint to promote washability with a low sheen finish. It's NOT flat. It's between an eggshell and flat. The term is a bit misleading as it does mean flat in French except it's Matte not Mat.
It is a very pleasing finish, but I am becoming skeptical on the actual washability of it...
 
#14 ·
I've mentioned my Aura Matte story before (used it on my stairway) and let me attest, that stuff is not only washable, it does not hold dirt or entrap it the way the inexpensive, flat builder products do. But hey, that's kind of the expectation given the premium . . .

Matte does have a slightly higher gloss level (each manufacturer varies--no industry standard) than flat. From what I recall:

Flat
Matte
Low Sheen
Eggshell
Pearl (I've seen this one between low sheen & eggshell from one manufacturer too)
Semi-Gloss
Gloss
High Gloss
 
#18 ·
D'oh, I did overlook Satin. I stayed away from the velvet since I rarely see it. Cashmere does come in the Low Lustre (Satin) and Medium Lustre (Semi-gloss), but in the grand scheme of things, no industry standard exists. I remember using a "washable flat" once that resembled other manufacturers satin finish. SMH
 
#20 ·
The velvet in SuperPaint is a lower sheen than the satin, I'd call say it's along the lines of shiny eggshell. The Cashmere low luster I feel has more sheen than a traditional satin and same for the medium luster. I'd say the medium luster falls somewhere between semi gloss and gloss.

Industry standards would be nice! Actually I'd take just a brand having a standard between lines of paint. Ever use Valspar Signiture satin? That chit is semi-gloss I don't care what they say.

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#19 ·
I think my biggest gripe about the painting trade is the lack of an industry standard when it comes to sheen levels and how products are labelled. Especially with Sherwin Williams. Some of their lines come with eggshell, for example, and many don't. Then, we have to explain to customers that low luster means satin. Why not just label the darned stuff satin to begin with? It racks my brain trying to remember which of their products offer which sheens. I really see no benefit to them, to us, or to our customers by describing their products in such a happenstance manner.
 
#21 ·
SW is super annoying with it. I think they see eggshell as being cheap which is why they came out with Velvet. The Cashmere line is the most annoying to explain. Flat enamel = matte why not just call it what it is!

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#23 ·
Just curious what most of you put on the walls. I would love a flat that stayed clean but I have not found one yet. Most the time we use cashmere low luster or super paint satin if Its sherwin williams or Manor Hall eggshell. Manor hall is probably my favorite since the sheen is very subtle. I have used emerald flat before and was not that impressed with it. On ceilings I use BM super hide flat white. It is the flattest paint I have seen.
 
#27 ·
Cali Freshcoat Or Ultra matte is the bees knees when it comes to walls. If there isn't a Cali dealer near you, you should probably move.
 
#28 ·
The only sheen standardizations i have ever dealt with is the MPI standards, which have a pretty big range in reality, and the standards for clears used by the kitchen cabinet and furniture manufacturers. The would be "dull rubbed effect", "medium rubbed effect", "Bright rubbed effect", and "gloss". The standards for them are pretty tight actually, with a less than a 5-7 degree variation allowed between brands.
There are also pretty strict standards in FS colors and most of the other color standards used in manufacturing and other industries that use the FS system as well as the Pantone system.

As far as architectural though MPI is the only one i am aware of.
 
#29 ·
Depends on brand, some companies use the terms interchangeably but generally matte has a slight sheen (less filler).

I used matte on our walls because I hate the texture. I’d have gone w/ flat since we’re planning a remodel but until that happens they need to be cleaned without color pull. From an angle I’d compare the sheen to a stick of butter (odd I know haha) but has the same chalky feeling of flat.

I generally prefer matte because I can usually get open time for glaze or layering but it all depends on the project.
 
#30 ·
@PPD In my own house I prefer Flat, Flat! The flater the better because if I need to wash the walls, I don't! I paint them again. If the paint is new, I just wipe to clean a bit and touch up with paint. It always seems easier than scrubbing and they come out cleaner. I love painting and hate scrubbing!
 
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#31 ·
I don’t mind a sheen on smooth finish walls!! We used satin in the bedrooms & semi-gloss in the baths after completion and I love the light reflection & suede look it provides.

Hoping to have my 10,000 VP practice hours done by the time our main living is finished so I’m comfortable enough to trowel a creamy marble white to high gloss!

I wouldn’t scrub the walls if it weren’t for our fur-baby shaking her head :-/ That slobber sticks like tar so mr clean sponge’s are my only defense & I’m too lazy to touchup unless I MUST (life of a painter? haha).
 
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