Should I Use Flat Or Eggshell Paint In My New Home?

There are many reasons that builders use flat paint to paint their new homes. You have a brand-new home and it is beautiful. It is your largest investment. Your family has saved for years to be able to afford this. You thought through every detail of the layout, furniture, and every nook and closet. While the movers are carrying your sectional sofa into your basement, they leave marks on the walls all the way down. Now this is a problem. You just signed off on your home and you are very happy with it.

Our Indianapolis painters offer four major reasons why you should go with flat paint. Keep on reading for more!

Reason #1 for Why Builders Use Flat Paint – Builders use flat paint so that they can touch-up the walls easily. Flat paint, although it is inferior in many ways, is the best at touching-up. The lack of shine make the paint blend better with the previous paint. Builders do not like to have to paint walls edge to edge, so they use flat paint. During the building process, there are many trades that come into the home and damage the paint job. This makes it easier to fix.

Reason #2 for Why Builders Use Flat Paint – Some builders use flat paint because it is just easy to remember and dictate to their homeowners. There is no confusion if all paint is flat.

Reason #3 for Why Builders Use Flat Paint – Some builders use flat paint because they just do not build a very good home. Poor quality of some trades, like drywall contractors, or framers, can make imperfections pop out if there is a sheen in the paint. Using flat paint keeps imperfections from being so noticeable. Unfortunately, there are some builders that really do not do a very good job.

Reason #4 for Why Builders Use Flat Paint – Flat paint is the cheapest paint. Cost is always a thought in the building process. Flat paint costs significantly less than eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss.

If I were building a new home, I would want eggshell painted on my walls. Eggshell is wipeable, and is also stronger on the walls than a flat paint. You can see drywall imperfections, but there really should be very few drywall imperfections in a new home.

In review, there are many reasons that builders use flat paint. It could be that they are lazy, they want to save you money, they do not do a great job, or it could just be that unless there is a discussion…. they use flat paint by default. The best builders give you an option to upgrade your paint for a certain cost. If flat paint is dictated, I would recommend that you keep looking for builders.

Bonus content about why builders use flat paint:

In the world of home construction, the choice of paint finish is a big part of how a living area looks and works as a whole. Flat paint is a popular choice that makers often think about. This piece goes into detail about the pros and cons of using flat paint in home building.

What’s Good About Flat:

Flat paint has a smooth, non-reflective surface that hides small flaws on the walls. This smooth finish makes the room look nice and goes with many different kinds of decor.

Subdued Elegance: The matte look of flat paint gives rooms an understated elegance that’s great for bedrooms, living rooms, and other places where relaxing is most important.

Hides Wall Flaws: One of the best things about flat paint is that it can hide wall flaws. This saves time and effort when getting ready to paint and cuts down on the need to smooth the surface a lot.

Color Depth: Flat paint can make colors look richer and deeper, giving a room’s design an extra layer of life. This feature is especially appealing to homes who want their color choices to make a strong statement.

Reduced Glare: Because flat paint doesn’t have a sheen, it cuts down on the glare from lights and windows. This makes the room more comfortable, especially in areas that get a lot of sun.

The Bad Things About Flat Paint:

Concerns about durability: Flat paint is less resistant to spots, scratches, and general wear and tear than paint with a glossier finish. This makes it less good for places like halls, kitchens, and bathrooms where there is a lot of foot traffic.

Limited Cleanability: It can be hard to clean flat-painted surfaces. Because the paint is porous, it can soak up dirt and moisture, making it hard to get rid of spots without damaging the finish.

Touch-up Challenges: Because flat paint is matte, it can be hard to touch up. If you paint over an existing surface, the new paint might not fit in perfectly, which could make patches that are easy to see.

Less reflective: The fact that flat paint doesn’t reflect light can be a good thing, but it can also make a room feel darker and less lively, especially if it doesn’t get much natural light.

Moisture Sensitivity: Paint with a flat finish is more likely to get damaged by water than paint with a glossy finish. It’s not a good idea for places with high humidity or a lot of water splashing around.

Both Pros and Cons

In conclusion, there are both pros and cons to using flat paint when making a house. Even though its ability to make a smooth, elegant, and forgiving finish is very appealing, makers need to be aware of the fact that it is not very durable, easy to clean, or resistant to moisture. In the end, the choice between flat paint and other styles comes down to what the space needs and what the homeowners want. Finding the right mix between how something looks and how it works is the key to getting a good paint finish when building a house.

Elite Pro Painting is a family-owned painting business that serves people in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment with our team, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 317-406-9599 !