Matt Vs Silk Paint - Which Should I Use?

Matt vs Silk Paint - What Is The Difference?

Paint emulsions come in a range of finishes that vary in terms of 'sheen' level, otherwise known as their level of reflectivity. Sheen describes how glossy a paint is, with a high sheen paint appearing shiny and wet, while a low sheen paint finish will appear flat. Sheen is crucial for ensuring that you achieve the look and feel you are after when decorating a room, with high sheen providing a light and open feel, and a low sheen finish appearing modern and homely. As well as their level of reflectivity, the more sheen a paint finish has, the more durability it has. This allows different paints to suit different situations, with low sheen finishes being used on interior walls, and high sheen finishes being used on trim such as woodwork and metal tat require more durability as they take much more knocks and scuffs.

Matt paint is the least reflective finish, known as a low-sheen finish, which is most often used on interior walls & ceilings. This is followed by eggshell that has slightly more sheen, equivalent to the sheen of an egg, which is where the finish gets its name. We then move on to mid-sheen finishes such as soft-sheen, silk and satin, with silk being the most common mid-sheen finish for interior walls & ceilings, while satin is more often than not used on woodwork and metal. Finally, the paint finish with the most sheen is gloss, that is highly reflective and has the most durability of any paint finish.

Overall, the general rule is the low-sheen finishes are used on walls, while high sheen finishes are used on interior and exterior trim. The reality is however, that you can use any paint finish you want, where you want. You simply have to ensure that the surface is properly prepared and the paint will offer the durability that is required for it's use.

The Advantages & Disadvantages of Matt & Silk

So matt and silk paints are both finishes that are most often used on interior walls & ceilings, with matt having a low-sheen finish, and silk having a slightly higher mid-sheen finish. Here are some of the main advantages & disadvantages of each finish:

Matt Advantages

• Has a flat, modern finish
• The more sheen a finish has, the more it shows imperfections on a wall. As a low sheen finish, matt can cover imperfections on a wall, making it a great option for older properties
• Can appear more uniform even when applied badly due to it's ability to hide imperfections

Matt Disadvantages

• Standard matt emulsions have low durability, making them not suitable for high traffic rooms such as hallways and high moisture rooms such as bathroom and kitchens
• Matt paint can be slightly less flexible to movement than higher sheen finishes

Silk Advantages

• Comes with higher durability than a matt finish that can withstand higher levels of traffic and condensation
• Added sheen can provide a lighter, more spacious feel to a room

Silk Disadvantages

• The higher level of sheen will show imperfections on a wall more than matt
• More susceptible to brush strokes

The Best Matt Emulsions

If you are planning to paint a low-traffic room such as a living room or adults bedroom, then there are a range of fantastic vinyl matt paints that are on offer from trade brands. These trade paints are the higher quality trade versions of retail paints that are readily available in large DIY stores. They offer higher coverage, better durability and overall much better value for money, which is why professional decorators would never opt for a retail version of a paint.

While all major paint brands offer a matt paint finish, we would highly recommend one that stand out from the rest for us. Crown Trade Vinyl Matt, is a hugely popular matt finish amongst professional decorators as it simply offers everything you could hope for in a paint. It has an excellent coverage, achieves a beautifully professional finish in two-coats and is one of the best value for money vinyl matts on the market.

Other excellent vinyl matts include Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt & Armstead Vinyl Matt, that are all popular choices and offer excellent value for money depending on your budget.

Like all of the vinyl matt paints that we stock here at Painters World, Crown Trade Vinyl Matt can be mixed in almost any colour. No matter whether you are looking for a designer shade or a RAL, British Standard or Crown shade, we can mix almost any colour. All have have to do is either type in the name of the shade you would like or select a shade from one of our colour palettes.

The Best Silk Emulsions

Vinyl silk is slightly less common than vinyl matt, with two leading runners for the best silk paint, again from Dulux Trade Paint. Dulux Vinyl Silk offers up to 16 square metres coverage per litre, has a great opacity & is a sure-fire way to achieve beautiful results that last.

Durable Matt Emulsions

If you would like a flat matt finish, but want to use it in a higher traffic area or a high condensation area, then there is a solution. Many paint manufacturers have developed durable matt emulsions that help to combat the lower durability of matt paints. While standard trade vinyl matts contain vinyls that mean they can be wiped over without affecting the paint, these emulsions are not scrubbable. That is where durable matt emulsions come in, such as Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt & Dulux Trade Diamond Matt, that offer added durability in a matt finish.

This added durability allows them to be repeatedly wiped without causing damage to the paint, which is perfect for hallways, bathrooms & kitchens. While they do cost slightly more than the standard vinyl matt emulsions, if you are looking to use a matt finish in any of these rooms, we would highly recommend them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can you paint silk over matt?

Yes, you can paint silk over the top of a matt emulsion, as you can with any water-based paints.

Q. Can you mix matt and silk paint?

Yes, you can mix these paints if you want to make full use of the paint you have, but this will not give you a sheen exactly in the middle of matt and silk. as the mixed paint will become a matt paint.

Q. Is matt or silk paint better quality?

There is not a particular difference in the quality of matt and silk finishes, especially between paints developed by the same paint manufacturer. As we have discussed in this guide, there are differences in the paint with advantages to using both. If you are a DIY'er, the chances are you can achieve a better finish with a matt paint.

Q. Should I use matt or silk paint on new plaster?

The choice is completely down to your preference in finish. As long as the new plaster is suitably primed using a primer, you can apply silk or matt paint. Why not read our full guide to painting plaster where we answer all the most frequently asked questions?

Q. Should I use matt or silk paint for ceilings?

Using different paint finishes for different areas can be beneficial. Using a matt finish on a ceiling can reduce glare, achieving a more pleasant lighting in a bathroom. You could then use either a matt finish on the walls or use a silk, it is completely up to you.

Q. Is silk paint washable?

Yes, silk paints are washable, meaning that you can wipe walls down with a damp cloth without marking or scuffing the paint. This makes cleaning up after any spillages, water marks or general dirt quick and easy, especially as you don't have to patch up the paintwork.

We hope this has answered any questions you may have had regarding matt and silk paint. If you require anymore help, just send an email to the team at hello@paintersworld.co.uk. At Painters World we have a wide range of paints & decorating supplies available, so no matter the job, we've got the right tools for you.