Paint for walls - Matt V Silk

danlojo

Just a quick question as to which way to go. Not a great DIYer anyway but my brother says he'll paint my living room etc. I've chosen the colour but not sure whether to get Matt or Silk.

Some say Matt, some say Silk......confused

I've tried a bit of silk before but it shows up imperfections on the wall but can be cleaned easily......

McKneff

I prefer matt for walls to be honest. As you say silk shows up imperfectins on the walls. I use silk/eggshell on the woodwork.

It will take a while for a wall to be marked enough to be cleaned, oftern its faster just to give the wall another coat of matt.

Gotta be up to you though, depending on your family circs, little jammy/chocolatey fingers etc.

caringa

We decorate for a living and would always opt for matt over silk for the very reasons previously mentioned. As stated, it can always be touched up if it becomes marked/dirty.

Leif

And another vote for matt. Easy to touch up with a brush and a mini roller. Hides imperfections in the wall, and you might be surprised how many there are. An alternative is an acrylic paint, which can be wiped clean without the paint coming off. Dulux do trade and consumer versions e.g. Endurance. Other manufacturers do it too. It costs a lot more than normal paint and I found it takes an extra coat to get coverage, so that also increases the cost. And it is not as matt as normal matt, but neither is it silk.

grizzly1911

Matt + .

Unless you buy bargain basement stuff I find that most matt can be gently wiped over with those moist kitchen wipes for scuffs.

On other threads some have said that "endurance" isn't all it is cooked up to be and that "diamond" is better. Either way as a PP said it will cost more.

Leif

grizzly1911 wrote: »

On other threads some have said that "endurance" isn't all it is cooked up to be and that "diamond" is better. Either way as a PP said it will cost more.

I think they are basically the same stuff, but Diamond has more pigment, with more tendency to run. I suppose if you need less coats, I'd use it in preference.

nickj_2

you could always go for soft sheen which isn't as flat as matt or as shiny as silk , don't bother with the diamond/endurance stuff it's a waste of time and money

McKneff

But please dont go for B&Q cheap stuff.

Buy cheap buy twice.

Wickes own emulsion is good and not a bad price.