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So, firstly we need to explain that this is as confusing to us as to some of you as there are so many different types of matt paint and emulsion for walls and ceilings that you could as much time trying to find the paint finishes as the colour.
Each manufacturer and each individual DIY store, builders’ merchant and paint warehouse will have their own variety and name for what is essentially the same thing.
Here, on The Big Idea, we endeavour to narrow it down to the main, water based paints and flat paint finishes available today in most stores.
That said, most of us will inevitably go for the most popular types: your good old matt and silk emulsion.
What Is Emulsion?
Emulsion paint is a water-based paint that is made from water and polymer particles that contain pigment. As a water-based paint, it does still contain some chemicals for it to adhere and dry onto walls and ceilings but does not, or rarely contain oils.
The contact with oxygen and the surface of the wall or ceiling causes a film to fuse together, which makes it, in essence, stick.
Why Is It Used On Interior Walls & Ceilings
Simply put, it is easier and cheaper to manufacture than gloss paint and, therefore, the most popular choice of interior paint for wall and ceiling covering. It is also effortless to mix the additional colours, which has us at an advantage nowadays as the colour choices are vast and incredibly varied.
Add to that the fact it is water-based means it is easier to clean any mess and has minimal odour when drying.
Can I Use Emulsion On Woodwork?
Not if you want the paint to last. You can use emulsion on interior doors, door frames, window frames and skirting boards, but it is much more likely to chip than its oil-based gloss paint alternatives.
The variety you could use is acrylic eggshell paint, which we cover later on, but it is not as hard-wearing, durable and easy to clean as regular gloss paint.
We do not recommend using any matt paint or chalk paint emulsion other than eggshell paint finishes on interior woodwork due to these facts.
Why Are There So Many Different Finishes To Emulsion Paint
When we use the word, finish this is what the paint will look like once dried on your walls and ceilings. You can have a dull (Matt) or shiny (Satin, Silk) paint finish, with a few exceptions in that scale.
Some rooms in your house will require a more durable finish, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and there are specific paints for those rooms. They would have more of a shiny finish which makes them easy to wipe clean, whereas medium traffic rooms like the bedroom and living rooms lend themselves to a matt or eggshell finish that gives them more depth and warmth.
Decisions, Decisions
Ultimately it is your own choice, and there are no rules, just suggestions as to which finish you have in any of your rooms. Colour will more often than not be the overriding factor in your choice of paint, so when you are buying the emulsion at a do-it-yourself store or at a paint merchant, please ask the staff for their opinion as they will have the ability and knowledge to advise you.
Preparation
I know the mantra of us here at The Big Idea, but you must prepare your walls and ceilings properly before adding any paint, as this will enhance your results.
If you have newly painted walls, then apply a mist coat. If your walls are dirty, clean them using sugar soap or bicarbonate of soda, and always remember to look after your paint brushes and rollers to extend their lives and save you money in the long run!
How Many Types Of Emulsion Are Out There
Once again, we have yet to have a definitive answer as so many companies are making their versions that the list seems to be expanding, so we will focus on the six main interior paint finish categories that are the most prevalent in the UK today.
We hope to explain how and why they might be the paint finish for you and your lovely walls and ceilings:
Matt
The Collins dictionary definition of matt is slightly off-putting but does sum it up very well, “A matt colour, paint, or surface is dull rather than shiny.”
Understandably this does not inspire me to use it as a predominant covering for any surface in my home at all but believe it or not is one of the most popular choice of finish for any emulsion in the UK at this moment in time.
Matt emulsion does, however, have some sub-genres, and there are flat matt, vinyl matt and silk matt emulsions. Each of these has a varying sheen to its finish, with them going up in corresponding order.
Eggshell
Fast becoming the paint of choice as it can be used on walls and woodwork. The eggshell paint finish is somewhere between matt and a satin finish, and as the name depicts, it has a similar look to that of an eggshell.
More durable than a basic matt paint and easier to clean. It has been widely used by people restoring period properties as the textured finish gives a more classic look, especially to Victorian homes, as it has a slight texture.
Satin
This is where paint finishes start to reflect more light so that shadier rooms will benefit from a satin paint emulsion. Painters and decorators will often use satin finish on the ceilings alone as it has excellent reflective qualities and is much more durable and moisture resistant than its matt and eggshell equivalents.
The downside of satin and some of the glossier finishes is that it can highlight imperfections in the surface that is being painted. Therefore, that makes the preparation much more necessary. This is the reason that matt and eggshells are more common in period properties where the walls and ceilings are more prone to blemishes in the plasterwork.
Silk
The most used emulsion paint in the UK to date as the benefits of a silk paints are its ability to be cleaned and wiped easily. It has a fantastic moisture resistant, reflective quality and will suit high-traffic areas such as hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens.
In our opinion, kids’ bedrooms should always be covered in a silk emulsion here at The Big Idea, as wiping a wall or ceiling is always easier than repainting one.
Soft Sheen
Now we are getting to the part where many of these specialist paint finishes will look and feel the same, and none more so than a soft sheen. It is the equivalent of a silk emulsion as it reflects identical amounts of light, so great for hallways and high-traffic areas but is much more scuff resistant and durable than its satin and silk counterparts.
Metallic
The new kid is on the block in the interior wall and ceiling coverings world. An almost revolutionary idea that reflect light and adds sparkle and slightly more sheen to your walls and creates texture without it being a rough finish.
It is a water-based emulsion paint that will become very useful in the future. However, its major drawback and disadvantage right now is the cost to buy with a 2.5 litre can coming in anywhere between £65 and £100.
In Conclusion
When embarking on a do-it-yourself project, a house renovation or calling in the professionals, the choice of wall coverings can be a daunting task; colour, texture, sheen, and cost are all factors to consider, and with some guidance and help, you can make the proper choices that will suit not just you but your home too.
Remember that you can always ask at whichever shop you choose to buy your paint from for some good, friendly advice and make sure that you test out any colours and paint finishes before embarking on buying the best paint for your walls and ceilings!
