Most paint callbacks are a selection problem, not an application one: a flat finish in a hallway that gets scrubbed, an eggshell on trim that shows every brush mark, or a big-box line chosen for a job that needed a pro-store enamel. This section is built to settle those choices before the first can is opened.
Pick in three passes. First the sheen, because it decides how a surface cleans and how much drywall texture shows. Then the product line for the surface (walls, trim, cabinets, ceilings, bathrooms each have their own guide). Then the brand and store, which mostly changes price, color matching and contractor discounts rather than whether the job can be done well.
The sheen comparisons go head-to-head one step at a time, from flat vs eggshell up to semi-gloss vs gloss. If you only read one page, start with the paint sheen guide, which lays the whole ladder out on one chart.
SELECTION GUIDES
9Lime Wash Paint Guide
Mineral finish for brick and plaster: when it suits, how it ages, which products
Best Paint for Cabinets
Enamels that cure hard enough for doors that get opened all day
Best Paint for Bathrooms
Bath-rated lines that hold up to shower steam and mildew
Best Neutral Paint Colors
Whites, greiges and beiges, read by undertone and light direction
Best Paint for Interior Walls
Wall paint tiers by hide, washability and what you pay per gallon
Best Paint for Trim
Hard, self-leveling trim enamels that hide brush marks
Best Paint for Ceilings
Ceiling paints that roll on flat without lap marks or flashing
Paint Sheen Guide
The whole sheen ladder on one chart, with room-by-room picks
Types of Primer
Water, oil or shellac, then bonding, stain-blocking or masonry
BRAND & SHEEN COMPARISONS
16Satin vs Semi-Gloss
The trim and door decision: softer glow or harder, wipeable shine
Eggshell vs Satin
The busy-room wall decision for hallways, kids' rooms and dens
Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin-Williams
The two pro-store brands: tiers, dealer vs company store, pro pricing
Behr vs Sherwin-Williams
Home Depot value line against the pro-store brand, tier by tier
Flat vs Eggshell
Hide drywall flaws or gain washability on low-traffic walls
Semi-Gloss vs Gloss
The two shiniest finishes and when full gloss is worth the prep
Eggshell vs Semi-Gloss
Walls vs trim: the two-sheens-apart pairing pros use in one room
Matte vs Eggshell
Scrubbable matte against eggshell, by product tier and room
Flat vs Satin
Opposite ends of the wall range, inside and on exterior siding
Paint vs Stain for Decks
Deck coatings by lifespan, upkeep and what is already on the boards
Oil-Based vs Latex Paint
Alkyd vs acrylic, waterborne hybrids, and covering old oil safely
Spray vs Roll Painting
Production speed, paint waste and finish quality, sprayer vs roller
Benjamin Moore vs Behr
Independent-dealer premium vs Home Depot value, by tier
Cabinet Refinishing vs Painting
Refinish, paint, reface or replace: which fits which kitchen
Sherwin-Williams vs Valspar
One owner, two storefronts: pro store vs Lowe's lines
Airless vs HVLP Sprayer
Fluid pressure vs low-pressure air, by job and finish
WHICH PAGE ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION
Ten common paint-selection questions, the short answer, and the page that settles it.
Walls in a bedroom or formal living room?
Low traffic: a flat or matte hides patched drywall best. Step up to eggshell only if the room gets touched or scuffed.
Flat vs eggshellModern scrubbable matte, or stick with eggshell?
Premium matte lines now wash far better than old flats; the choice turns on the product tier more than the sheen name.
Matte vs eggshellHallways, kids' rooms and family rooms?
These take hand marks and bumps, so the decision is usually between eggshell and satin.
Eggshell vs satinTrim, doors and cabinets?
Semi-gloss is the default for trim; satin reads softer on cabinets and modern doors. The trim and cabinet guides name the enamels that level out.
Satin vs semi-glossPainting walls and trim in the same room?
The usual pairing is two sheens apart: eggshell walls with semi-gloss trim, so edges read crisp without the walls going shiny.
Eggshell vs semi-glossA front door, railings or cabinets that need a furniture-like shine?
Full gloss shows every flaw in the prep, so it only pays off on smooth, well-sanded surfaces.
Semi-gloss vs glossBathroom with a shower?
Moisture and mildew resistance matter more than sheen alone; pick a bath-rated line first, then satin or semi-gloss.
Best paint for bathroomsPro-store or big-box brand?
Sherwin-Williams sells through its own stores, Benjamin Moore through independent dealers, and Behr mainly through The Home Depot. Each brand comparison weighs tiers, price and color matching.
Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin-WilliamsRepainting over old oil-based trim?
Latex over glossy oil peels unless the surface is deglossed and primed with a bonding primer first.
Oil-based vs latex paintDeck boards: paint or stain?
What is already on the boards usually decides it, because switching from paint back to stain means stripping.
Paint vs stain for decks
PAINT SELECTION FAQ
What is the order of paint sheens from flattest to shiniest?
Flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, then gloss (high-gloss). Each step up reflects more light, cleans more easily and shows more surface flaws. Brands do not measure sheen the same way, so one brand's eggshell can look like another's satin; check a sample board before committing a whole house.
Does a more expensive paint really cover in fewer coats?
Often, but not always. Premium lines carry more solids, which helps hide and washability, yet a big color change still usually needs two coats. Our interior wall paint guide compares the tiers by what they actually do on the wall.
Should a contractor standardize on one brand?
Many do, for the pro-account pricing and a single store relationship. The Benjamin Moore vs Behr and Behr vs Sherwin-Williams pages cover how the three main brands differ on tiers and color matching.
Is it worth refinishing cabinets instead of painting them?
It depends on the cabinet boxes and the look you want. The cabinet refinishing vs painting comparison walks through refinish, paint, reface and replace side by side.