Hi is matt or silk best for walls?

surfsister

Hi guys I am decoraing and just wondered if matt or sillk is best for living room walls? Usually i grab whatever is cheapest! Lol.

hartcjhart

for what its worth I prefer the 'satin' finish,matt is just a 'flat' finish,with silk/satin you can use lights to bounce of the wall

lizziebell*80

I used matt Dulux once in our living room and dining room and hall when we moved in and wish I had gone for a more satin finish. I find matt, while it can help to hide imperfections on the walls as the light isn't reflected, it tends to mark easily
Silk finish is a bit shiny so maybe a satin which is more inbetween the two. I have made the mistake of going for the cheapest paint before and having a total nightmare then wanting to re-do the lot afterwards.

surfsister

thanks fast on the draw you two! I usually use Dulux or Crown end of ranges and buy extra to touch up marks. Hadn't thought asbout satin, will bear comments in mind when at the diy shops!

lizziebell*80

If you can be bothered, then you can always pay for a tester to be made up in satin at homebase or something in the colour you want and give it a try to see what you think to it? It isn't cheap though, think the smallest one is over £3 from memory.

tandraig

another consideration is - i find matt comes off if trying to clean marks off the wall - but silk or satin tends to stay put!

Errata

Matt can look very 'chalky' so usually silk is better, unless you have seriously uneven walls when matt seems to camouflage the lumps and bumps better.

MrsE_2

Silk is a little dated, Matt is more current.

Just like for woodwork, gloss is dated & the less shiny satinwood is in.

misgrace

Its not called Satin, Satin is for woodwork, your talking about Soft Sheen, which is not as glarey as Silk.
Whether you go with Silk or Soft Sheen, make sure your walls are good, as Silk and SS will emphasise every minor imperfection.

There is nothing wrong with Mat,:D and there is wipable Mat,or better still 'Endurance' which is Mat, but doesnt leave that dull mark if you have to wipe it off.

chalky_75

I hate matt-- looks so flat

Mojisola

MrsE wrote: »

Silk is a little dated, Matt is more current.

Just like for woodwork, gloss is dated & the less shiny satinwood is in.

You should have what you like, not what someone else has decided is in fashion.