When painting a room in your home, one of the things that you need to decide upon is what kind of paint or paint finish you are going to use.
There are many types of paint on the market today but some might not be well suited for the room that you are painting.
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One type of paint that can be used in your home is flat paint.
This type of paint is different than other types of paint as it has a matte sheen but it is not suited for high traffic areas, like a kitchen or bathroom.
You’d always have to worry about stains because this type of paint will not hide most signs of wear and tear that might happen in these areas.
Flat paint is paint that doesn’t have a shine to it.
The main use of flat paint is for painting walls in rooms and areas that are typically just for show.
When you are selling your home for instance. Or rooms that have little to no traffic.
I wouldn’t suggest flat paint in children’s bedrooms because it will show when they draw on it or even touch it.
It is good for areas where you want the wallpaper to go up easily without leaving any sort of residue behind.
In this article, we will tell you all about flat paint, how it can be washed and how it can give your room a unique look.
What Is Flat Paint?
Flat paint is paint that has no sheen once it dries.
It will make rough surfaces look better because light does not reflect from the surface and hides imperfections because of that.
Glossy paint reflects light and only looks good when used on smooth surfaces where the light can bounce off.
Flat paint is also referred to as matte paint and minimally-reflective paint.
What Is Flat Paint Best Used for?
Flat paint is a great option for your walls if you have some imperfections.
It is also good if you do not want the surface of your wall to be reflective since it is a minimal shine.
You can use flat paint on your ceiling because it will not show flaws as much and it will reduce the amount of light shining through it.
Where Should You Not Use Flat Paint?
Flat paint is the perfect paint for accent walls or creative interior design.
Check out these tips to help you prep your space and choose the right colors:
- Avoid using flat paint on walls that are more likely to get dirty.
- Instead, use satin or eggshell finishes. If you do use flat paint in high-traffic areas like entryways or on trim, only use it in bedrooms or other places where there isn’t a lot of dirt and foot traffic.
- Flat paint doesn’t clean easily so if you don’t plan to change the color of your walls often and want something that wears well over time, flat paint is ideal but it will not resist scuffs and stains far longer than glossier paints.
Flat paint is the perfect paint for accent walls or creative interior design.
Check out these tips to help you choose whether flat paint is right for you:
- Avoid using flat paint on walls that are more likely to get dirty.
- Instead, use satin or eggshell finishes. If you do use flat paint in high-traffic areas like entryways or on trim, only use it in bedrooms or other places where there isn’t a lot of dirt and foot traffic.
- Flat paint doesn’t clean easily so if you don’t plan to change the color of your walls often and want something that wears well over time, flat paint is ideal but it will not resist scuffs and stains far longer than glossier paints.
Related Article: Is It Ok To Use Ceiling Paint On Walls?
I there such thing as washable flat paint?
Flat paint may be washable if it is the right brand but you need to be careful when cleaning walls painted with flat paint.
I have found one flat paint that is actually durable enough to clean and still has a true flat sheen.
Sherwin Williams Emerald Designer Edition is what I’m talking about.
You are still going to have to clean with a gentle method of washing.
What Types of Paint Can Flat Paint Cover?
Flat paint works well for painting over glossier paint.
You must wash your walls before painting them with flat paint if they are painted using satin paints.
If they are semi-gloss or higher in sheen ten I would lightly sand them first using a fine sanding sponge or 220-grit sandpaper.
You are still going to have to clean with a gentle method of washing.
If you have a dirty wall that needs mild scrubbing, try damping it with a sponge and a few drops of water.
Just apply the spongy side of the sponge directly to the wall, then lightly rub in a circular motion, until it is all clean.
Do not use anything that would remove paint – only mild materials like soapy water and gentle sponge are necessary.
Remember to dry the wall.
What if my flat paint changes colors?
Don’t worry if it appears to be discolored when doing so – any excess water will dry.
You should make sure that you are dusting your walls at least once each month.
This is recommended if you would like to keep the longevity of the paint.
You should also make sure that you are immediately cleaning up any smears, dirt, or stains on your walls.
Tips for Cleaning Walls with Flat Paint
If you want to make a fairly easy job of cleaning walls, test the laundry detergent or dish soap you are using on a small patch in an area that will not be noticed.
It is best to do this first so that if your paint starts to peel off you will have time to touch it up before it is seen.
It’s best to clean your walls from top to bottom. By cleaning from top to bottom you might just be able to catch things like drips as they happen.
Why Do Builders Use Flat Paint?
Flat paint is used by many builders because it is easy to touch up the walls when they are finished painting.
It does not have a shine, so it can blend with other paint.
When touching up a wall it does not need to be painted from edge to edge.
When the house is being built there are many contractors and subcontractors that come into the home to do work, so it makes it easy to fix the walls when using flat paint.
With flat paint, homeowners can have a uniform look in their home.
Is flat paint easy to paint?
The flat paint is easy to use and doesn’t have to be applied with a high degree of special skills.
Flat paint is used to cover up imperfections instead of fixing the issue.
If the framer or drywall contractor does not do a good job, there could be imperfections that pop out.
In that case, flat paint will hide those errors.
It’s always the cheapest option to use flat paint.
Is It Okay to Use Flat Paint in a Bathroom?
No, it is not because of the high moisture in a bathroom that you should use satin or semi-gloss paint. Flat paint just absorbs the moisture from the air and from your walls.
It will also start to grow mildew and mold faster.
The paint does not resist stains that well either so if you find soap scum, shaving cream, or other stains on the walls, it will be harder to clean.
If you want a flat finish for your bathroom that is moisture-blocking and mildew resistant then I would suggest using Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa paint.
It is specifically designed for bathrooms and only comes in a matte finish.
Check out this article if you want to know more about Aura Bath And Spa Paint.
Can I Use Flat Paint in the Kitchen?
If you are thinking of painting your kitchen with flat paint, think again.
Flat paint is not good for kitchens because it is not easy to clean and it doesn’t hold up well to washing and cleaning.
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In Conclusion
Flat paint or sheen can be washable, but you need to be careful. The first thing that you need to know is that flat wall paint can never be directly exposed to water. You will want to make sure that you take extra care when doing things such as mopping up spills or even washing the walls down with a damp cloth. Your washcloth should never be soaked in water.