Eggshell Paint vs Emulsion Paint: A Homeowner’s Guide

Are you looking for a way to update the look of your home? Painting is one of the most popular ways to do this. However, it can be difficult to decide on which kind of paint to use. This blog post will help you compare eggshell and emulsion paints to figure out which type suits your needs best! If you’re not sure what these paints are, don’t worry. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about them below.

What is eggshell paint?

Eggshell paint is a flat type of paint that offers low sheen and good coverage. It can be used on walls, ceilings, doors, woodwork, trim, or any other surface in your home. Eggshells typically have to be applied over primer as they are not designed for use straight onto drywall or plasterboard surfaces. Unlike eggshell paint though, emulsion paints do work without the need for primer if you’re only painting one coat.

If you want an even more matte finish with eggshell, you’ll need to apply three coats instead of two, which will take much longer than using emulsion. This might seem like a drawback but it’s worth noting that once it has been done correctly, eggshell paint will last a long time, look beautiful, and will need very little repainting. That means you save more money in the long term! On average, eggshell paint costs $24-40/gallon.

What is emulsion paint?

Emulsion paint is a type of water-based coating that’s applied to drywall, plasterboard, or any other surface in your home. Emulsion paints do not need a primer before being applied and are available as both gloss (overcoat) or matt finishes. Unlike eggshell paint though, emulsions will require two coats for the best finish if you’re applying it over old painted surfaces.

The main differences between the two come down to how many times they have to be applied for a good effect and how they appear. Eggshell paint has a noticeable texture that can add contrast and style to your home. Emulsion paint, on the other hand, has a variety of finishes but normally is matte or satin. Emulsion paints cost $1-3/liter.

Pros and cons of eggshell paint

The three main benefits of eggshell paint are durability, low maintenance costs (which means less time painting!), and the fact that it’s easier to clean. For the best application, eggshell will require two coats for an even effect if you’re applying it over old painted surfaces whereas emulsion only needs one coat.

Eggshell also has more rough texture than other types of paints so there’s no need to apply any type of primer before going ahead with the process as long as these kinds of textures work well on your property.

The downside is that your walls may have a shiny or textured look which can be off-putting for some people. However, it comes down to personal taste.

Pros

  • It’s a very durable paint that will last for many years. Don’t worry about having to make more money out of your pocket to constantly repaint it.
  • Eggshell paint requires little maintenance as it’s easy to clean and take care of.

Cons

  • Because of its natural sheen, it can be hard to touch up if something does happen. Adding new layers of paint, even very small, will be visible to the eye. Unless, of course, you hire professional painters like Earl’s Paintworks to handle it for you.

Pros and cons of emulsion paint

The main pro of emulsion paint is the price. It’s cheaper than eggshell and has a more affordable cost, making it an option for homeowners on a budget. The downside to this type of paint is that it doesn’t last as long as other types and can easily peel or chip. Emulsions do not need a primer before being applied which saves time during the application but may cause them to last shorter than eggshells because they absorb more moisture from the air.

Pros:

  • Less expensive.
  • Easier to install because the liquid dries quickly.
  • Wider colour options.

Cons:

  • Do not have the same life expectancy as eggshell paints so they need frequent repainting or sealing applications which will increase costs over time.
  • It’s more expensive than eggshell paints and other types so it requires a good upfront investment for the quality you’re receiving.

Final thoughts on eggshell vs emulsion paint

Choosing the right paint for your property can be a difficult decision. There are many factors to consider, such as how long you want it to last and what kind of surface it will cover. Emulsion paint will be more affordable than eggshell paint. However, eggshell will offer more durability and less maintenance. if you’re on a budget, choose emulsion. If you want to invest more and get the most bang for your buck, choose eggshell.

If you’re unsure which type of paint is best for your project or if you have any questions about our services, please contact us today. We understand that clients may not know much about painting but we make sure that they get all their answers before deciding on anything too quickly.

I recently hired Earl's Paintworks Inc. for the interior of my home, and I couldn't be happier with the results! From start to finish, their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly detail-oriented. The painters arrived on time, were respectful of my space, and worked diligently to ensure a flawless finish. The entire process was smooth, and they even made sure to clean up thoroughly after the job was done.

I highly recommend Earl's Paintworks Inc. to anyone looking for top-notch painting services. They exceeded my expectations in every way!
Have you ever heard of a contractor delivering quality work, ahead of schedule? That was our experience with Earl's. He and his crew painted our 1,400 square foot townhouse (wall colour change) in less than the time estimated and the work was outstanding, including the attention to detail that separates professional painting from amateur. We'd recommend Earl's for any job.
We hired Earl to repaint our kitchen cabinets. It's a tough job to do well, and Earl delivered. He was also good at coordinating some carpentry work and installing a new hood fan for us.
I just hope the cabinet paint is durable enough to stand regular wear and tear over the coming years, as we already had a knick that Earl generously resprayed for us.
I was incredibly impressed with Earl and his crew! I typically don’t hire contractors without a personal recommendation, but after getting three different quotes, Earl stood out. He took the time to understand exactly what I needed, offered a fair price, and confidently estimated the entire job would take just four days.

In January 2025, Earl and his team repainted my entire four-bedroom home, and they delivered exactly as promised—completing the job in just four days. The team were professional, personable, and went above and beyond, even taking care of extra details that weren’t part of the original quote. Earl’s efficiency, attention to detail, and commitment to quality were evident from start to finish, including a thorough cleanup at the end.

I wouldn’t hesitate to hire Earl again for future projects, and I now highly recommend him and his team to family and friends!
Earl and his team did a fantastic job of painting my whole house and it only took 2 days! He gave the sharpest quote and his team provided excellent and professional service. I would recommend his services to anyone.
We got Earl and his team to completely redo our main and upstairs level. Baseboards, window and door trims, as well as paint the entire house, kitchen and bathroom vanity’s. Him and his team showed up on time, completely masked the house in 3 days and completed the work in the time quoted. Very helpful with ideas and problem solving. Earl’s carpenter also came in to do the wood work around the house, also part of the quote with very competitive pricing (best price out of 3 quotes even with extra work added on). Will hire Earl for all my future inside and outside paint jobs. Thanks again guys, you did an incredible job.
Earl and his team were great to work with. They completed the job faster than I could have thought possible, while maintaining top quality. The finished product is exactly what I hoped for. I highly recommend them for any future job.
Earl and his crew did a great job painting the trim on our home. There were challenges in trying to reach the height in some very tight spaces, however Earl provided a solution that no-one else had identified that was efficient, effective and the job was done at a very fair price. We would highly recommend.
Earl did a great job painting our place. We were on a rush since we wanted to get the place painted and the ceiling updated (we wanted to go from a popcorn texture to flat) before moving in and he did a great job accommodating time to finalize the job within the required time with an excellent result. I recommend his services 100%.
Earl and his team did a phenomenal job painting our house. The team was professional, courteous, and completed the work in one day! Highly recommend Earl’s Paintworks for all of your painting needs!
We hired Earl and his crew to paint the baseboards & walls of our basement. He is very good at answering emails and texts. Also is punctual when meeting for quotes and doing the work. I specifically wanted our baseboards lacquered and NOT brush or roller painted. It cost more, but the results speak for themselves. The basement was left clean and the furniture well covered. Great work from this company. Would recommend
Recently Earl painted the exterior of our house. The structure was very challenging and needed an enormous amount of prep work. Earl and his crew showed up every day on time and went full tilt for 4 days to get all the prep and painting done. The paint was all brushed and rolled.
They were very professional and it was obvious that they take pride in their work.

I did have trouble deciding on the colours and after a couple of stressful months, I followed up with a colour consultant that Earl recommended. It was money well spent and we are very pleased with how it turned out.

I would not hesitate to recommend Earl and his crew.
Earl and his team helped me dramatically improve the interior of a recently purchased 1960 Bungalow. They prepped and painted the main level completely (ceiling, walls, windows, door jams, etc.) and did some painting in basement as well. Easy to work with from the start to finish. Great job, on time, and at a reasonable price. I highly recommend Earl’s Paintworks. I will most likely be using their services again soon!
Earl is the best in the business! We hired Earl to paint the exterior of our 106 year-old heritage home that was in disrepair. Our house is a craftsman bungalow that required highly detailed workmanship. Because of the uniqueness of the house, and its heritage value, we were nervous to hire the job out to just anyone. We met with a number of companies and Earl's Paintworks stood tall above the rest. We loved that Earl was an owner/operator and knew after talking to him that he'd take great care with our beloved home. We weren't wrong! Earl and Jeremy were meticulous - sanding every nook and cranny to ensure a perfect finish that would stand the test of time. We wanted a tri-colour scheme to show off the home's craftsmanship, which required a lot of taping, cutting, and intricate work. Our neighbours would stop by to compliment Earl and Jeremy - blown away by the precision and quality of their work. Both my fiancé and I were sad to see them leave. Earl and Jeremy had become fast friends, always making time to stop and visit with us (despite putting in long days of hard labour). Couldn't recommend them enough! If you are looking for a painter, do yourself a favour, and stop here.
We recently hired Earl's Paintworks to repaint the entire interior of a newly-purchased home and could not be more pleased with the quality of the work and exceptional service provided from start to finish. We were on a very tight timeline & Earl (the owner) and Jeremy showed up ready to work 30 minutes after we took possession of the house. They put in long hours to finish the job in only 8.5 days, despite the fact that it was a massive project (3 storey house with over 30 windows/doors to paint around and some 20ft ceilings). The care they took to cover our hardwood floors, carpeting and cabinetry was remarkable - not a drop of paint left anywhere it didn't belong.

Earl was truly a pleasure to work with, responded to our questions in a timely & friendly fashion, and provided knowledgeable (and realistic) advice on different finishes and colour options. He even went above and beyond to point out some small repairs that needed to be addressed around the house which was helpful to us as new owners. We had 4 different companies quote on the job and chose Earl's Paintworks based on a gut feeling that Earl was the right choice. Very happy with our decision - so much so that we're hoping to have them back this summer to do the exterior of our house as well.

We would recommend Earl's Paintworks to anyone without hesitation. If you're looking for a hardworking, locally-owned company to do an efficient, professional, super high quality job, this is it!
We wanted the interior and doors repainted in our home in preparation for selling. We obtained a couple of quotes from painters. We ended up choosing Earl due to our positive interactions with him.

This is a small but very professional company. It was good to work with a smaller company where the person painting your home is the actual owner and therefore, someone who took full responsibility for the work. Earl was very helpful with colour suggestions. He was easy to communicate with via both emails, phone calls and text. Earl was a perfectionist. He finished our 2 level 2000 sq ft home in about 6 full days. He came a few weeks later to do the exterior doors (garage and entry) when the weather was warmer.

I would not hesitate to recommend Earl's Paintworks.