Painting your home is the first step towards sprucing it up. Whether you’re painting your bedroom or making your living space more inviting, and whether this is a revamp of your old home project or building your dream home, choosing the right kind of paint is as important as picking the right color.
The most common question that homeowners keep asking is whether matte paint is the same as flat, and today we are here to answer exactly that for you. So, let us dive deep into the world of right shades and right coats so that you can make the smartest choice for your home painting project.
Understanding the Basics: Matte Paint vs. Flat Paint
First things first, you need to keep this in mind before moving anywhere forward. Repeat after us: Yes, matte paint is different than flat paint.
It is true that they are part of a similar category of low-sheen paints. However, Matte paint has a velvet-like finish and absorbs light to reflect it back just a little. This gives walls the signature look of being full of color and life. One could almost call it an eggshell finish. Matte paint is also famous for hiding imperfections by creating a perceptual depth to your walls.
Flat Paint? It has no sheen to begin with, but gives walls a smooth and even appearance. It is also equally good at hiding surface imperfections, but it is a nightmare when it comes to scrubbing walls to clean them.
Visual Characteristics: How They Look in Your Home
The right coat of paint is necessary in various ways. However, since first impressions matter the most, here is how the type of paint you use in your house affects its overall appearance to guests. When you walk in the room and look at the interior, what do you notice? The way it is decorated, with a light sconce and fancy accessories, may divert your attention to the wall if it features a cool accent or the way light bounces off the walls. All of this completely changes the mood.
- Matte paint: This offers a richer and more pigmented look. The coat leaves a slight sheen on the walls, which makes the colors feel more alive without a high reflection index. This is perfect if you are looking for modern interiors or a space with a soft, elegant vibe.
- Flat paint: Now this has a powdery, chalky texture. This paint has zero reflective quality to it; in fact, it absorbs light instead. However, this does not make the pain completely bad. This can also create a cozy space and is ideal for use in ceilings or areas where glare is undesirable.
If you love deep, moody tones like charcoal, navy, or forest green, matte paint will keep them looking vibrant. For crisp whites or neutral tones that hide imperfections, flat paint is your friend.
Durability: Which Lasts Longer?
Both paints survive the durability test. However, in the way they wear over time, both differ a lot.
- Matte paint: This is a lot more resistant to wear and tear, which makes it a great choice for places where there is moderate or heavy foot traffic. It is also great for hiding wall blemishes, but the downside is that it is more prone to picking up dust and smudges.
- Flat paint: Ideal for low-traffic areas such as bedrooms, formal dining rooms, or ceilings. However, it’s more likely to show stains and can be harder to clean if something spills or splashes onto it.
If you’re painting a hallway, kitchen, or kids’ playroom, matte paint will generally handle the daily bumps and scrapes better.
Cost Considerations: Matte vs. Flat
If budget is part of your decision-making (and let’s be honest, it usually is), here’s what you should know:
- Matte paint: This is more expensive due to its finish and durability. It is also more expensive as it requires two coats for full coverage, which also increases both paint and labor costs.
- Flat paint: Obviously, the more affordable choice. It saves time and money, especially in large areas, as it is often covered in just one coat.
However, cost should not be decided based on what you’re spending in the moment. Think of the return on investment in the long term. Spending a little more on matte now might save you from repainting sooner.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Here’s where the real difference can be felt.
- Flat paint: Flat Paint maintenance is a piece of cake. It is easy to dust and wipe, although scrubbing it too hard can damage the surface. Again, this makes dusting cobwebs on the ceiling easy, and the ideal place for flat paint, where dust and fingerprints are not really a concern.
- Matte paint: This requires a gentle cleaning, typically with a soft cloth and maybe a mild cleaner. However, matte paint has better dirt retention than flat paint. It’s also easier to touch up because the finish blends seamlessly without obvious patch marks.
If you have pets, kids, or a house full of guests, matte paint is a safer bet for the walls you’ll need to clean regularly.
Colors and Textures
When it comes to color choice, matte paint allows for greater choice. The subtle shine allows deeper colors to appear deeper and is suitable in a bold or muted palette. Almost every color you find would likely have a matte finish.
Flat paint usually has a smaller range of colors, mostly lighter or muted colors, because the absence of reflection can make a color like dark blue feel heavy and dull.
Matte feels smoother and softer under your fingertips, whereas flat paint, depending on the finish, can be powdery.
Application Process: What to Expect
From a professional painter’s point of view, matte paint takes a little more effort:
- Matte paint: As explained, these need more coats, typically two. This is because the viscosity of the paint is thicker due to higher pigment levels. Stirring this paint during application becomes important. The end result leaves you with a high-end look making all the effort worth it.
- Flat paint: Goes on quicker and in a single coat. It also dries quickly so there is less prep work involved, making it the best option for DIY projects. Goes on more quickly, often covering in a single coat. It dries faster and usually requires less prep work.
Where to Use Each Finish
- Best places for matte paint: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and accent walls. Also great for furniture pieces you want to stand out.
- Best places for flat paint: Ceilings, low-traffic walls, or areas where glare from windows or lights needs to be minimized.
Final Verdict: Is Matte Paint the Same as Flat?
To answer in short, no matte paint and flat paint are not the same. They share slight similarities. However, matte paint has a slight sheen, is more durable, and gives a sleeker look. Flat paint is non-reflective and low maintenance, ideal for painting ceilings.
Whenever painting your home, the qualities of this paint must be remembered, depending on which area of the house you are working on. Lastly, a great painting of a house comes not just from choosing the right finish but also applying it with care.
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