Seven finishes, one job each. Tell us what you are painting and we will
tell you which one to reach for — or scroll down and compare all seven
side by side.
Still not sure? Call our sales team on
01258 841310 and we will talk it through.
Finish finder
What are you painting?
Pick the surface closest to your project. We will show you the finish we
recommend, why, and whether anything needs to go on first.
Choose a surface
We recommend
Matt Emulsion
Our flattest finish, at 2–5% sheen. It absorbs light rather than bouncing
it back, which hides imperfections in the plaster and shows the colour at
its richest. Ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and ceilings.
Before you paint: sound, previously emulsioned walls need
nothing. Fresh or bare plaster wants a coat of
Primer & Sealer first.
Rooms with steam in them need a paint that can cope with moisture and be
wiped down. Soft Sheen is more water resistant and harder wearing than
Matt, with about 12–15% sheen — enough to look opulent without looking
shiny.
Before you paint: nothing needed over sound emulsion.
Fresh plaster wants
Primer & Sealer first.
Don't let the name put you off — this is our hard-wearing wall paint, and
a hallway takes more knocks and scuffs than any other wall in the house.
It is washable and durable, which is also why it is the one we point
commercial customers at.
Before you paint: nothing needed over sound emulsion.
Fresh plaster wants
Primer & Sealer first.
Eggshell sits between matt and satin — a subtle 12–15% sheen that wipes
clean and stands up to hands and hoovers. The right finish for skirting
boards, door frames, panelling and doors.
Before you paint: bare wood, MDF, or anything currently
in oil-based gloss must be sanded and given one coat of
Primer / Undercoat.
The two are designed as a two-part system, and we cannot guarantee the
finish without it.
The same water-based eggshell does metal as well as wood, so radiators and
pipework can be painted to match the trim in the room — or disappear into
the wall colour behind them.
Before you paint: sand the surface and apply one coat of
Primer / Undercoat
— its stick-to-anything formula is what makes a water-based paint hold on
to metal and to old oil-based coatings.
Formulated to take sun, wind and rain while keeping the same low 12–15%
sheen as the interior version. This is the one for a front door, window
frames and exterior trim.
Before you paint: sand, then one coat of
Primer / Undercoat.
Paint in dry weather only, and never below 10°C.
Fences, gates and garden furniture get the same weather-resistant eggshell
as the front door — durable, long lasting, and available across the whole
colour range rather than the handful of shades garden paint usually
comes in.
Before you paint: sand, then one coat of
Primer / Undercoat.
Dry weather only, above 10°C.
A breathable exterior coating for concrete, render and treated brick. The
breathable formula lets trapped moisture escape instead of pushing the
paint off the wall, which is what causes cracking and flaking.
Before you paint: dry weather only, above 10°C. Two
coats.
New plaster is thirsty. Left unsealed it drinks the first coat unevenly
and the colour dries patchy. Primer & Sealer, diluted three parts
water to one part primer, seals the surface and gives the paint something
consistent to sit on.
Then: two coats of
Matt Emulsion for walls and ceilings, or
Soft Sheen if the room is a kitchen or bathroom.
Sheen is how much light a dry paint film bounces back. The lower the
number, the flatter and softer the finish, and the better it hides a wall
that isn't perfectly smooth. The higher the number, the tougher and more
wipeable it is. Everything we make sits at the quiet end of the scale.
For comparison, a traditional oil gloss sits at the far right of this
scale. We don't make one — a flat or low-sheen finish is both kinder to
a room and far easier to touch up later.
Side by side
Compare all seven finishes
Every number we publish, in one place. Touch dry and recoat times are the
same across the range, so the things that actually differ are sheen, VOC
content and what each one is for.
"Not published" means exactly that — we only list figures that appear on
the tin. Ring the office on 01258 841310 if
you need a number that isn't here. How far a tin goes always depends on how
absorbent the surface is and how the paint is applied, and a few of our
deepest colours need an extra coat —
see which ones.
Durability
Class 1 rub resistance — and why you should care
It is the least glamorous number on the tin and the one you will be most
grateful for in three years' time.
Class 5
Class 4
Class 3
Class 2
Class 1Our emulsions
Least washableMost washable
BS EN 13300
Measured to BS EN 13300, the European standard for
water-borne coatings for interior walls and ceilings. It grades wet
scrub resistance in five classes, and Class 1 is the toughest.
Every wall gets touched. Hallways get scuffed, kitchens get splashed,
and children happen. The usual problem is not the mark — it is what
happens when you try to remove it. On a paint that cannot take a
scrub, wiping the mark off burnishes the surface and leaves a shiny
patch exactly where the mark used to be.
Our Matt Emulsion and
Kitchen & Bathroom Soft Sheen are both
rated Class 1, the top of the scale. You can wash
them, repeatedly, and the wall still looks like the wall.
That toughness comes from the binder. We use an
acrylic resin, chosen for its
flexibility, longevity and resistance to wear — which is what lets a
virtually VOC-free, vegan, ultra low odour paint also be one you can
take a cloth to. Eco paint has a reputation for being delicate. This
one is not.
Washable, hard-wearing and low-marring — our own words, and they are on both interior wall finishes.
Built for heavy traffic — hallways, stairwells, family kitchens, rental properties and commercial spaces.
No trade-off — the same paint is Indoor Air Comfort Gold and under 1g/litre VOC.
All seven are water-based, virtually VOC free and low odour. Here is what
each one is for.
Interior walls & ceilings
Matt Emulsion
Flat matt finish · 2–5% sheen
Our flattest finish, and the one most people want. Exceptional
opacity, high durability and a rich, luxurious look. Virtually VOC free, so no
harmful chemicals or toxic substances, and with no solvents in it the
odour is ultra low. Best where you want to minimise reflection and let
the colour do the talking.
Where to use it: bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and ceilings.
Best feature: absorbs light, so it hides imperfections in the wall.
2–5%Sheen
14m²/LCoverage
30 minTouch dry
4 hrsRecoat
<1g/LVOC
Class 1Rub resist
Shop this finishPick Matt Emulsion from the finish menu on any colour.
Coverage and emissions
14m² per litre per coat, depending on how absorbent the surface
is and on application technique. The opacity is good enough that
one coat will often do it — we recommend two for the best
professional finish.
For any interior wall or ceiling in a room with more moisture in the
air. More water resistant and more durable than matt, with a subtle
sheen that looks opulent without looking shiny. The one to use in
high-traffic areas at home and in commercial spaces.
Where to use it: kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
Best feature: washable and hard-wearing, so it copes with traffic.
12–15%Sheen
30 minTouch dry
4 hrsRecoat
<1g/LVOC
Class 1Rub resist
Shop this finishPick Kitchen / Bathroom Emulsion from the finish menu.
Water-based eggshell for wood trim inside the house — door frames,
skirting boards, panelling and doors — and for metal surfaces such as
radiators and pipes. Eggshell sits between matt and satin: enough
sheen to wipe clean, not enough to look glossy.
Where to use it: panelling, wood trim, woodwork, radiators and doors.
Best feature: washable and hard-wearing, a good balance of style and durability.
12–15%Sheen
30 minTouch dry
4 hrsRecoat
<1g/LVOC
Shop this finishPick Interior Wood / Metal Eggshell from the finish menu.
Priming — please read before you start
We provide no guarantee for wear or finish unless our Primer /
Undercoat has been used first. Oil and water do not mix, so where
you are painting over an existing oil-based surface the primer is
what makes the paint hold.
Not recommended for kitchen cabinets — please
contact us for other
recommendations.
Exterior wood & metal
Exterior Wood / Metal Paint
Eggshell finish · 12–15% sheen
The same low-sheen eggshell, formulated to withstand the elements. A
durable, weather-resistant coating that protects against sun, wind and
rain, for outdoor wood trim and metal.
Where to use it: exterior wood trim, windows, doors, fences and garden furniture.
Best feature: long-lasting protection, in a range of beautiful colours.
12–15%Sheen
30 minTouch dry
4 hrsRecoat
<30g/LVOC
Shop this finishPick Exterior Wood / Metal Eggshell from the finish menu.
Weather, priming and the guarantee
We provide no guarantee for wear or finish unless our Primer /
Undercoat has been used first, and it is essential over any
existing oil-based surface.
Water-based exterior paint is affected by weather and temperature
both in the tin and on the wall, so keep it at an ambient
temperature, apply in dry conditions only, and never paint below
10°C.
Render · Concrete · Treated brick
Masonry Paint
12–15% sheen
A high-quality water-based coating for exterior masonry. Durable and
strongly weather resistant, and breathable — the formula lets moisture
escape rather than trapping it, which prevents water ingress and
reduces the risk of cracks and damage. Vibrant colours, easy to apply,
minimal maintenance.
Where to use it: exterior walls, render and treated brick.
Best feature: long-lasting protection in a range of beautiful colours.
Apply in dry weather conditions only, and do not paint when the
temperature is below 10°C.
Preparation · Wood & metal
Primer / Undercoat
Interior & exterior · adhesion primer
A water-based adhesion primer with a stick-to-anything formula, for
unprimed wood, metal and MDF and for any existing oil-based product.
Sand the surface first, apply one coat, and use it as a two-part
system with our Wood / Metal Eggshell for the best result.
Water-based primer and sealer for walls and ceilings. It gives high
quality adhesion, seals porous surfaces and improves both coverage and
durability of the paint that goes over it — ideally used on fresh
plaster. It has low opacity and is translucent by nature, so it is a
base coat rather than a white-out.
Find your surface in the row below. Priming is the single most common
reason a paint job fails, and it is the one thing our guarantee depends
on.
Fresh or bare plaster
Primer & Sealer, then your colour
New plaster is thirsty. Left unsealed it drinks the first coat unevenly and the colour dries patchy. Primer & Sealer seals the surface so the paint over it goes on consistently.
Step oneNo primerJust check the wall is clean, dry and sound
Step twoMatt or Soft SheenTwo coats
Bare wood, MDF or metal
Primer / Undercoat, then Eggshell
Bare timber, MDF and metal all need something for the topcoat to grip. Our Primer / Undercoat has a stick-to-anything formula and is designed to work with the Eggshell as a two-part system.
Step onePrimer / UndercoatSand the surface first, then one coat
Step twoWood / Metal EggshellTwo coats
Existing oil-based or gloss paintwork
Primer / Undercoat is essential
Oil and water do not mix. Without the primer, a water-based topcoat has nothing to hold on to — and we provide no guarantee for wear or finish where it has been skipped.
Step onePrimer / UndercoatSand back the sheen, then one coat
Step twoWood / Metal EggshellTwo coats
Please note: we provide no guarantee for wear or finish
unless our Primer / Undercoat has been used prior to paint application.
Where you are overlaying an oil-based surface, the primer is not optional.
Good to know
Before you start
Six things worth knowing before the lid comes off. They apply across the
whole range.
01One to two coatsThe opacity is good enough that one will often do it. We recommend two for the best professional finish.
02Above 10°C, dry weather onlyDo not apply exterior paint when it is below 10 degrees or when rain is likely.
03Keep tins at room temperatureWater-based paint changes consistency in the cold, which affects how it goes on.
04Use within 6 monthsPlease use all paints within six months of purchase.
05Not for kitchen cabinetsRing us on 01258 841310 and we will recommend something suitable.
06Coverage variesHow far a tin goes depends on how absorbent the surface is and how you apply it.
Worth knowing
Our deepest reds and brightest yellows need a little more patience
Some pigments are naturally more translucent than others, and our
richest reds and yellows are the ones to watch. The usual trick for
making a colour more opaque is to add white — but white turns a red
pink and a yellow lemony, and we would rather keep the colour true.
So these build their depth over an extra coat or two instead.
Nothing is wrong if the first coat looks patchy. Order a
£1.50 sample to see it on your own
wall, and allow for the extra paint when you work out quantities.
Sheen, and what they are for. Matt Emulsion is flat at 2–5% sheen and
goes on walls and ceilings. Eggshell is 12–15% and goes on wood and
metal — skirting, doors, panelling, radiators. Eggshell sits between
matt and satin: more durable and more wipeable than matt, without
looking glossy.
Can I use matt emulsion in a kitchen or bathroom?
We would point you at our
Kitchen & Bathroom Emulsion instead. It
is the same kind of paint but more water resistant and more durable,
which is what a room with steam in it needs.
Do I really have to use your primer?
On bare wood, MDF, metal, or anything currently in oil-based paint,
yes. We provide no guarantee for wear or finish unless our Primer /
Undercoat has been used first, because oil and water do not mix and a
water-based topcoat has nothing to grip without it. Over sound,
already-emulsioned walls you do not need a primer at all.
What does Class 1 rub resistance mean?
Rub resistance is how well a dry paint film stands up to being
washed. Under BS EN 13300, the European standard for interior wall
and ceiling paints, it is graded in five classes and Class 1 is the
toughest.
Our Matt Emulsion and Kitchen & Bathroom Soft Sheen are both
Class 1, so marks can be wiped off repeatedly without wearing
through the colour or leaving a burnished patch behind.
More on durability.
How many coats will I need?
Two. Every finish in the range is touch dry in about 30 minutes and
ready to recoat after 4 hours, so a wall can comfortably be finished
in a day.
Can I paint my kitchen cabinets?
Our Wood / Metal Eggshell is not recommended for kitchen cabinets.
Please call us on 01258 841310 and we
will recommend something more suitable.
Can I paint outside in winter?
Only in dry conditions and only above 10°C. Water-based exterior
paints are affected by weather and temperature, which is also why the
tins need to be stored somewhere at an ambient temperature rather
than in a cold garage.
How many coats, and how far does a tin go?
The opacity is exceptional, so most surfaces are covered in one to two
coats depending on what you are painting over. We recommend two coats
for the best professional finish. Matt Emulsion covers approximately
14m² per litre per coat, though that moves with how absorbent the
surface is and how the paint is applied.
The exceptions are our deepest reds and brightest yellows, which are
naturally more translucent and may need an extra coat to build up
full depth — see the list. Our
paint calculator will work out
quantities for you.
How long does the paint keep once I have bought it?
Please use all paints within six months of purchase.
Still not sure which finish you need?
Our sales team know these paints inside out and would far rather talk it
through with you than have you buy the wrong tin. Or order a £1.50
hand-painted sample and see the colour and the finish on your own wall
first.
