Matt Vs. Silk Paint: What's the Difference?
The difference between Matt and Silk paint are: Matt paint has a flat, non-reflective finish that hides imperfections but is less durable. Silk paint has a mid-sheen finish that’s more durable, moisture-resistant, and easier to clean, making it ideal for high-traffic areas and kitchens.
Planning a project and wondering what paint finish would be best for the space? Want to know what the labels on the paint mean? This article will help you understand the different paint finishes, whether silk, matt, vinyl matt, gloss, or satin, their differences as well as pros and cons.
Different Types of Paint Finish
Matt Paint: Matt paint has a flat, non-reflective finish that’s best for ceilings, living rooms, and bedrooms. Matt paint has a low level of sheen because it absorbs light instead of reflecting it like high-sheen paint finishes do.
Silk Paint: Silk paint has a mid-sheen with a soft shine that’s lightly reflective. This finish has a higher level of sheen than matt and reflects light instead of absorbing it. They’re ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways.
Vinyl Matt Paint: This type of paint is similar to matt, but with added durability. It’s recommended for living rooms, bedrooms, and feature walls.
Gloss Paint: Gloss paint is a high-sheen, very reflective type of paint. It’s used for accent details, woodwork, trims, and doors.
Satin Paint: Satin paint, also called eggshell in some cases, has a low to mid-sheen with a soft glow. It’s suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and woodwork.
What's the difference between matt and silk paint?
Matt and silk paint finishes are the most popular types in the market because of their versatility across different surfaces. Let’s learn about the difference between these two types to determine which finish to choose for your space.
Appearance
One of the main differences between matt and silk paint is the appearance of the paint finishes. Matt paint has a flat and velvety appearance, so it’s great for giving off an understated, elegant look. The best way to picture a matt finish is to imagine a clean chalkboard with its soft and untextured appearance.
On the other hand, silk paint has a slightly more glossy look than matt paint. Since light bounces off silk finishes, they give off a reflective finish. The best way to visualise silk paint is to think about silk fabric. Just like silk, it has a low sheen, creating a bright and elegant look.
Durability
There’s a difference between matt and silk paint in terms of durability. Generally, higher-sheen paint produces a more durable finish. That’s because the shine in paints comes from additives like gloss or semi-gloss, which act as a protective coating on the finish.
Matt paint has the least amount of sheen of all finishes. So, as you can guess, matt is the least durable type of paint finish. As a result, scuffs, scratches, and fingerprints show up easily on a matt finish. So, if you paint your property with a matt finish, avoid leaning on your walls with dirty hands – unless you’re aiming for that authentic ‘abstract art’ look.
Silk paint comes with higher durability than a matt finish. As silk can reflect light and has a slight sheen to it, scratches and scuffs won’t show up as much on a silk finish. That makes it better suited to high-traffic areas, such as hallways. So, when it comes to durability, silk paint is the clear winner.
Application method
There’s not much of a difference between matt versus silk paints when it comes to application methods. You can apply matt paint with rollers, a spray gun, or a brush. Similarly, silk will paint beautifully with brushes, rollers, or when you spray it.
How easy it is to clean
In terms of cleaning, the difference between matt and silk is minimal. Cleaning matt walls is relatively straightforward. Most dirt marks will come off using a soft sponge and warm, soapy water. But you need to be careful, as matt finishes wash off easily, so don’t apply too much pressure when cleaning.
Similarly, silk paint is washable. You can easily remove dirt marks, scuffs, or fingerprints with a soft cloth and soapy water. So, when you use silk paint, you can quickly wash the surface and have it look as good as new without having to repaint the area.
Pros and Cons Between Matt vs Silk Paint
So far, we’ve covered what matt and silk paint are and the main differences between the two.
Now, let’s compare the pros and cons of satin and matt paint finishes
Pros of Matt Paint
- Matt paint has a slightly dull appearance. As a result, it’s great at hiding imperfections in the surfaces you’re painting.
- With a matt finish, touch-ups are easy. That’s because matt paint can blend more easily with the surrounding surface. So, matt paint saves you from having to repaint an entire room whenever you want to get rid of a few scuff marks.
Cons of Matt Paint
- Matt paint isn’t the most durable type of paint finish. Certainly it’s less durable than silk paint. So, if you use it for your interior walls, be prepared to regularly touch-up the painted surfaces.
- Matt paint isn’t as easy to clean as silk paint. Therefore, if you choose matt over silk, you’ll need to spend extra time and care when you clean your walls.
Matt Paint Brands to Try
At Millennium Contracts, we’ve tried and tested hundreds of matt paints. So far, we’ve found the best matt paint on the market is Optiva Matt by Tikkurila. It contains zero VOCs and has encapsulation technology, making it more resistant to dirt. However, if you’re on a budget and want to paint your space with a matt finish, we recommend Crown Trade Vinyl Matt.
Pros of silk Paint
- One advantage of silk over matt is that it’s more moisture-resistant due to the sheen in its finish. As a result, you’d want to choose silk paint over matt for high-moisture environments like a kitchen or bathroom.
- Silk paints have a better resistance to stains than matt paint.
Cons of silk Paint
- Silk is a mid-sheen paint, which gives it reflecting properties. A negative of this is that imperfections in the surface will appear more easily with silk paint.
- Silk paint doesn’t blend as well with surroundings as matt paints do. As a result, painting and decorating with silk paint requires a skilled decorator to avoid brush marks on the finish.
Silk Paint Brands to Try
Our professional painting and decorating team has tried too many silk emulsion paints to count. One of the best silk paints available is Berger Silk Emulsion. However, if you want to paint your property and need a silk interior paint that offers excellent value, Dulux Trade Vinyl Silk paint is also a great choice.
When to Use Matt Vs. Silk Paint?
Choosing between matt versus silk paint is like deciding between a cosy sweater and a sleek blazer, both have their charms, but which one suits your style? So, while it’s ultimately up to you what paint finish you choose, here are our recommendations.
Living Room
As professional painters and decorators, we’ve found that matt paint works better in living rooms than silk paint. Why? For starters, matt finishes give a soft and understated look, which makes them perfect for creating an elegant look.
When you paint your living room with matt paint, it’s like choosing a classic black dress–it’s timeless. Also, living rooms usually have a lot of natural light, so using a non-reflective paint reduces glare in the room. Not only that, but matt paint will easily cover any imperfections on your surface when you are painting.
Bedroom
In our day-to-day practice, we always recommend clients use matt paints for their bedrooms.
Matt paints are great for bedrooms because they give rooms a smooth and soft finish, which is perfect for creating a soothing and relaxing effect. And since bedrooms are not high-traffic rooms in a house, you won’t expect your walls to get that dirty.
So, you don’t need to worry about the lack of durability with matt paints. But, there’s a caveat to this piece of advice. If you’re painting your child’s bedroom, silk finish is a better option.
The simple reason is that silk brings an extra layer of durability from scratches, dirt, and crayon marks that are likely to find their way to the walls.
Hallway
We recommend using silk paint for hallways because they tend to be high-traffic areas and are more likely to get scuffed and dirty. When you use silk paint for your hallway, it will hold up better against these marks. Additionally, silk paint gives a hallway a brightening effect.
Kitchen
From experience, we’ve found that silk paint works better for kitchens. High-traffic areas like kitchens need a paint finish that offers better durability and protection against scuffs and dirt.
So, if you use silk paint for your kitchen, you’ll be spared the hassle of having to repaint your kitchen every so often. Also, silk paint has better moisture resistance than matt paint.
Kitchens are high-moisture environments, so using silk paint here prevents paint from bubbling or peeling as a result of moisture damage.
Ceiling
You can paint the walls of the room in any finish you like, however flat matt emulsion is the best option for the ceiling because it won’t reflect light in the room. This will prevent your ceiling from having a glare that can cause eye strain.
Choosing the Right Paint Finish
Choosing the right paint finish is more than about colour. It’s also about how the finish will perform under different conditions. Factors to consider when choosing a paint finish for your space:
- Foot traffic: High-traffic areas like hallways or commercial entrances benefit from the durability of silk paints.
- Moisture exposure: Rooms with a lot of moisture, like kitchens and bathrooms, require washable finishes like silk.
- Lighting: Matt paint reduces glare in brightly lit rooms, while silk paint enhances light in dimmer spaces.
- Surface condition: Matt paint can conceal flaws better than silk paint. This is ideal when painting children’s rooms.
- Cleaning needs: Silk paint is easier to wipe down, making it ideal for common, frequently used spaces in the office and family homes.
- Aesthetic goals: If you’re looking for a traditional and elegant effect, choose matt paint. If you prefer a more modern, luminous finish, silk paint is the way to go.
Choosing a Professional Painter and Decorator
While DIY painting may seem simple, professional painters and decorators bring years of experience that significantly impact the quality and durability of the final results. Firstly, professionals prep the surface and area to be painted properly. They will thoroughly clean, sand, fill, and prime the surfaces to ensure a flawless look.
You can rely on experienced painters to know which paint colour and finish will work best for your space. Get professional advice, even down to the brand to use to achieve the effect you desire. Do away with wasted time, effort, and resources from trial and error. Professionals can provide more efficient timelines and faster completion of projects to minimise disruption, whether you’re painting a home or business.
When you choose a reputable painting and decorating service, you can rest assured you’ll get quality results for your residential or commercial space. Millennium Contracts is dedicated to giving you peace of mind, even providing a 2-year workmanship guarantee to ensure you’re fully satisfied with our work.
We’ve been painting and decorating residential and commercial spaces across London for over 35 years. Our team is ready to get the job done the right way. Contact us for a free quote and expert guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paint finish is best for walls?
The best paint finish for your walls will depend on your personal preferences and what you want the rest of your interior to look like. After discussing the advantages and disadvantages that come with each type of paint finish, consider the following before making a decision:
- What is the room used for?
- How much natural light is there in the room?
- What does the rest of the interior look like?
- Is the room likely to get dirty?
Can You Paint Silk Over Matt?
It’s totally possible to paint silk over matt. However, you’ll need to complete a few preparation tasks before painting to ensure a good-quality finish. The prep work will involve sanding down the surfaces and applying a primer. Similarly, you can paint matt over silk.
Can You Mix Matt and Silk Paints?
Yes, you can mix silk paint with a matt. However, you probably won’t get the results you expect. Instead of the mixed paint having a sheen finish somewhere in between matt and silk, the paint will just become matt paint.
