Silk or matt?

polka_purpura

hi

What's the difference between silk and matt? Both seem to be wipeable but I thought only silk was wipeable.

I'm painting a bedroom and the bottom corner interior of a built in wardrobe seems to be vulnerable to damp. Probably from poor air circulation.

polka purpura

evoke

Use silk for surfaces you'll need to wipe down regularly. Matt won't be as durable.

polka_purpura

thanks evoke that was my thought but didn't want anything that was going to look shiny.

polka purpura

Absolutely

I agree with Evoke. Matt won't be as durable if you need to wipe down regularly.

I had Silk paint previously. Never a problem wiping down, but it did highlight any imperfections on the wall.

Now I have Matt paint. A lot better for me. Yes, it doesn't take well to wiping down, but it takes 2 minutes to roller a new coat once in a while and doesn't draw attention to dodgy plasterwork.

It's a compromise. Shiny durable Silk, or non-shiny, less durable Matt?

Only you can decide

polka_purpura

hmm it's a tin of dulu* magnolia I have my eyes on and certainly have plasterwork with character that I wouldn't want to emphasise any more so I think I will go with the matt.

Thanks for your responses.

nickj_2

try soft sheen , not as shiny as silk but more wipable than matt

Leif

Or try a harder wearing matt paint such as Dulux Endurance. It has slight sheen, or so I am told. I have painted some samples on a bit of wood at home to see how it turns out. Apparenrly Paint and Paper Library do a similar matt acrylic.

devildog

I have used the endurance which works very well (tbh haven't even noticed a sheen on it) The other paint that is fab for wiping down is the Farrow and Ball in matt. I actually have it in my kitchen and literally anything that gets on to it comes off a treat, from dog food, spag bol/curry sauce etc, it all comes off yet leaves the paint intact.

evoke

With any durable paint you're going to get a sheen. A good decorator will know how to paint it on to avoid it drying with too much of a sheen.

To be honest, i'd rather put up with a bit of a sheen and not have the paintwork disintegrate after a year.

loracan1

Matt for the dodgy ceilings and above picture rails in my house, silk for the bits grubby hands can reach and kitchen.