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Emulsion is the wall-paint category; matt and silk are its finishes. Eggshell, satinwood and gloss describe lower-, mid- and high-sheen finishes usually chosen for woodwork, although a labelled eggshell product may also be suitable for walls. The right choice depends on the sheen you want, how even the surface is, the substrate and the exact product label—not the finish name alone.
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Paint tin terminology mixes two ideas: the type or category of paint and the amount of light the dried film reflects. In Dulux UK’s guidance, emulsion is the wall-paint category discussed here, while matt and silk are emulsion finishes. Eggshell, satinwood and gloss are finish descriptions most commonly associated with interior woodwork.
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That shorthand is useful, but it is not a universal substrate rule. Dulux describes eggshell as a classic woodwork finish and also notes that some eggshell products can be used on walls for a heritage-style appearance. A product called satinwood or gloss still needs the correct primer, preparation and approved surface stated on its own label. Read the individual tin or product page before buying.
Dulux’s paint-finish guide attributes this concise description to its Dr Dulux advice: “Matt emulsion is smooth, velvety and helps to hide imperfections on less-than-perfect walls.” That is the central practical distinction: flatter finishes disguise more, while increasing sheen generally makes a surface easier to wipe but more likely to reveal defects.
How the finishes compare at a glance
| Finish | Typical Dulux use | Appearance and practical point |
|---|---|---|
| Matt emulsion | Interior walls and ceilings | Velvety, very low reflection; helps disguise minor wall imperfections and keeps colour appearance more consistent between lighting conditions. |
| Silk emulsion | Interior walls | Mid-sheen and easier to wipe; reflects more light and can show lumps and bumps that matt conceals. |
| Eggshell | Woodwork; some labelled products also suit walls | Lower sheen than satin or silk; a classic, relatively subdued finish and a possible heritage-style wall look. |
| Satinwood | Skirting boards, window frames, doors and other woodwork | Mid-sheen; a subtler alternative to high-shine gloss. |
| Gloss | Interior woodwork | High-shine and highly reflective; creates strong contrast with matt walls but needs a well-prepared surface. |
The table describes finish-level characteristics, not a promise that every product in a category is washable, hard-wearing or suitable for a particular material. Those claims belong to the exact product label.
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Matt emulsion dries with little reflection, producing the soft, velvety appearance most people associate with modern painted walls and ceilings. Because it does not throw highlights across the surface, shallow dents, old roller marks and slight plaster variation are less conspicuous than they would be under silk or a glossier coating. It is the sensible starting point when the wall is sound but not perfectly flat, or when you want the paint colour to read calmly rather than sparkle under lamps and windows.
Dulux says flat matt reflects very little light, which helps colours look more similar in different lighting conditions. That does not make the colour identical in every room: daylight direction, artificial lamps and the surrounding décor still affect perception. It does mean the finish itself contributes fewer bright patches or glare changes.
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When matt is the better choice
- Walls with minor imperfections that you do not want to emphasise.
- Rooms where a low-reflection, velvety appearance is the priority.
- Large wall areas where consistent-looking colour matters more than a reflective highlight.
Do not infer a particular scrub rating, stain resistance or number of coats from the word “matt”. A washable matt and a basic matt can have different instructions; compare the individual product specifications.
Silk emulsion: a wipeable-looking, more reflective wall finish
Silk emulsion has noticeably more sheen than matt. Dulux presents it as a practical wall finish because it can be wiped easily, making it attractive in areas where fingerprints or splashes are likely. The same reflection that gives silk its brighter appearance can also pick out bumps, filled cracks and uneven plaster, especially when light from a window runs across the wall.
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View the surface in strong side light. If you can see ridges, patchy filler or trowel marks before painting, silk may make them more obvious. Extra filling, sanding and spot-priming can improve the result; changing to matt is another option when the underlying wall cannot be made fully even.
“Wipeable” is not a universal technical rating for every silk emulsion. Use the exact tin’s cleaning and durability claims, and follow its curing guidance before washing the wall.
Eggshell: low sheen with more body than matt
Eggshell sits at the lower-sheen end of the woodwork finishes in Dulux’s descriptions—below satinwood and silk. It gives skirting, doors and other timber a restrained appearance rather than a mirror-like shine. Dulux also says an eggshell product can be used on walls when the label allows it, creating a tougher, heritage-style look. That is a product-use decision, not evidence that every eggshell tin is suitable for plaster or previously painted emulsion.
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Where eggshell makes sense
- Traditional-looking interior woodwork where gloss would be too bright.
- A wall scheme that specifically calls for a low-sheen, heritage-style coating and where the chosen product approves wall use.
- Projects where you want some reflected light without the stronger highlight of satinwood.
Confirm the substrate, primer requirements and recoat time on the specific eggshell product. Dulux’s interior listing includes Quick Dry Eggshell among its named finishes, but listings, stock and ranges can change.
Satinwood: the mid-sheen woodwork compromise
Satinwood is Dulux’s mid-sheen woodwork finish, commonly used on skirting boards, architraves, window frames and doors. It sits between eggshell’s quieter reflection and gloss’s high shine. The result is visible enough to make trim stand apart from a matt wall without producing the strongest highlights of a gloss system.
Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood specifications
Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood is a concrete example of the category. On the product page checked in 2026, Dulux describes it as a mid-sheen satin finish and lists these product-specific specifications:
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Up to 16 m² per litre |
| Drying time | Six hours |
| Recommended coats | Two coats |
| Formula and claims | Water-based, low odour, quick drying, non-drip and designed to stay white |
Those figures and descriptions apply to that named product page, not to every satinwood paint. Temperature, ventilation, colour, substrate and application can affect practical drying and coverage. Check the current label and availability when purchasing.
Gloss: maximum reflection and maximum surface scrutiny
Gloss dries to a shiny, highly reflective film and is traditionally used on interior woodwork. Its brightness can create deliberate contrast against matt walls, making doors, trim and architectural details stand out. It also acts like a visual spotlight: ridges, brush marks, dents and poor filling catch the light, so the final appearance depends heavily on preparation.
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Why preparation matters more with gloss
Remove loose or flaking paint, fill defects, sand smooth and remove dust before priming as directed. A gloss topcoat cannot flatten a ridge that remains underneath; it will often make the ridge easier to see. Use the product’s stated primer and undercoat system, particularly when changing from a dark or glossy existing coating.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose a finish for your room and surface
Work through these four questions rather than choosing by colour-card appearance alone:
- How much sheen do you want? Choose matt for the quietest reflection, silk or eggshell for moderate reflection (depending on the product and substrate), satinwood for mid-sheen trim and gloss for a high-shine effect.
- How even is the surface? Matt is the most forgiving of minor wall irregularities. Silk, satinwood and gloss need progressively more care where reflected light will expose defects.
- What are you painting? Start with products approved for walls, ceilings, wood, previously painted trim or another stated substrate. Do not assume that a finish name alone makes the paint suitable for bare timber, metal, plaster or plastic.
- What cleaning and durability performance is required? Treat wipeability, hardness, coverage, drying time and coat count as claims for the exact product. Finish names are not independent performance ratings.
Quick decisions by situation
- Uneven living-room wall: matt emulsion is usually the safer visual choice because its low reflection disguises minor defects.
- Smooth wall needing easier wiping: consider silk emulsion, provided the surface is prepared well and the label supports the cleaning performance you need.
- Traditional low-sheen skirting or doors: choose a labelled eggshell woodwork product.
- Contemporary mid-sheen trim: satinwood provides more reflection than eggshell and less than gloss.
- High-contrast, shiny woodwork: use gloss only when you are prepared to make the substrate smooth enough for the reflected finish.
Preparation and application: Dulux’s practical guidance
Dulux’s preparation and tools guidance links roller choice to the finish. For matt emulsion, it recommends a medium-pile sheepskin roller. For silk emulsion, it recommends a short-pile mohair roller. Dulux cautions that spongy foam rollers can cause bubbles with regular emulsion. These are the manufacturer’s recommendations, not independent performance tests.
Prepare before opening the tin
- Identify the substrate and read the exact product’s approved-surface, preparation, primer and ventilation instructions.
- Clean the surface and remove grease, dust, loose material and flaking paint.
- Fill holes and cracks, then sand repairs so they transition smoothly into the surrounding surface.
- Prime bare or problem areas when the label calls for it, and allow the stated drying time.
- Protect floors, fittings and adjacent surfaces; plan a continuous wet edge so joins do not dry visibly.
Choose a brush for detail work
Dulux’s decorating glossary describes synthetic brushes as suitable for water-based interior finishes. Use a suitably sized brush for cutting in and narrow trim, then follow the product instructions for loading, spreading and recoating. Avoid assuming that one brush or roller works equally well for every finish.
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Confusing category with sheen
“Emulsion” does not mean one single appearance: matt and silk are different emulsion finishes. Conversely, “eggshell” or “satinwood” tells you more about sheen and intended finish than it does about universal substrate compatibility.
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Choosing silk or gloss for a rough surface
More reflected light exposes defects. Improve the wall or woodwork first, or select a lower-sheen finish that better suits the existing condition.
Generalising a product’s washability or coverage
Even within one finish family, formulas differ. Treat the named product’s cleaning claims, coverage, drying time and coat recommendation as its own specification.
Skipping the label because the colour is right
Two tins with similar colour names can differ in substrate approval, primer system, recoat time and finish. Confirm all four before checkout and again before application.
Ignoring changing product information
Dulux product ranges and listings can change by market and over time. Its interior product listing shows examples such as Quick Dry Eggshell, Quick Dry Satinwood and Quick Dry Gloss, but current stock and specifications should be verified on the live product page.
A buying checklist for Dulux paint
- Is this a wall or woodwork product, and is your exact substrate listed?
- Does the sheen match the amount of reflection you want?
- Will the sheen expose surface defects that need more filling or sanding?
- What primer, undercoat, number of coats, drying time and ventilation does the label require?
- Are the cleaning, durability and coverage statements specific to this product?
- Has the product page or tin been checked recently for current availability and instructions?
For terminology, Dulux’s decorating glossary explains its use of eggshell, satinwood and brush terms. Keeping that terminology separate from the product’s technical instructions prevents the most expensive mistake: buying a finish that looks right on a colour card but is wrong for the surface.
The practical verdict
Use matt emulsion when low reflection and concealment of minor wall defects matter most. Choose silk emulsion for a more reflective wall finish when wipeability is useful and the wall is smooth. Select eggshell for subdued woodwork—or for walls only when the particular product approves that use. Satinwood is the mid-sheen choice for trim, while gloss delivers the strongest shine and demands the best preparation. In every case, let the exact Dulux product label decide substrate suitability, preparation, cleaning claims and application specifications.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
