When it comes to paint could someone please tell me the difference between eggshell and satin finish??

I beg to differ with Sex Doctor. . .eggshell IS also a finish. It is the finish I've used in all of the rooms of my house. It is a very subtle difference from satin finish - less sheen but not flat. Gives a professional paint look. I really like it.

I have used it in the kitchen, but don't have painted walls around the stove/sink areas. It's all tiled.

But I do have a 5 year old Grandson who I'm patiently teaching to run down the hall WITHOUT dragging his sweet but grubby little hand along the wall. And it cleans just fine.

Eggshell and satin or very very close to each other..satin has just a slightly shinier sheen to it than eggshell..it is so slight you can hardly tell the difference, depending on the brand of paint... However..eggshell has a tendancy to not touch up well at all and will show everywhere you try to if not thinned for touch up and feathered out properly..I prefer to use satin for it touches up with a better success rate than eggshell finish does..

It has to do with the amount of shine or gloss to the finish. it runs like this I think:

High Gloss (looks wet)

Gloss

Semi Gloss (normally found in bathrooms and kitchens)

Satin

Eggshell (very close to satin)

Flat (no shine at all)

Semi gloss, gloss or high gloss are the most durable for washing and the most water repellent paints for indoor use. This is why you generally find them in baths and kitchens. Flats, eggshells and satin finishes are easier on the eyes which is why you will see them more in the rest of the house. Some rental properties are starting to use semigloss in the entire place. But a higher end property will never do this.

Flat is generally the cheapest.

eggshell is a color and satin is a finish. I only by paint with a gloss finish.

eggshell is alittle shinier than satin.it doesn't clean up as well as semi-gloss,but it has a better looking finish.only problem is it hardly ever touches up!