The finish describes how you want the wall to look. Permitted cleaning and use must be checked for the specific product.
To choose the appearance, compare samples labelled matt and satin. Jotun describes the minimal reflection of Majestic Resist as part of its matt finish. That visual difference alone does not indicate what cleaning the paint can withstand.
Note where the painting will take place and how the wall is used: chairs rubbing against it, splashes, fingerprints or frequent cleaning. Ask for a proposed product suited to that use; the finish name alone is not enough to know its performance.
What to compare beyond the finish name
| Detail | What to specify |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Matt, satin or another finish, identified on the product. |
| Wall use | What contact or dirt is expected in that zone. |
| Cleaning | Method and conditions specified for that paint. |
| Substrate | Material and coating that the company needs to check. |
| Reference | Full product name and applicable documentation. |
On its Majestic Resist page, Jotun presents a matt finish and declares class 1 scrub resistance according to ISO 11998. This is an example of how a matt appearance and cleaning performance can coexist in one product. It does not make all matt paints equivalent or certify how your wall will turn out.
If a proposal uses a technical classification, ask where it is documented and which product it applies to. If another only says “quality paint”, you still do not have enough information to compare that part. The manufacturer's name does not resolve the differences between products in its own range either.
Choose by zone without multiplying decisions
Make a short list of the surfaces that need a different choice. You can agree on one product for the living room walls and another for a wooden element, if the professional considers it appropriate. What you should avoid is changing products without knowing which zone each one will be applied to.
Example: in a dining room, chairs rub against two of the four walls. Mark those zones and ask for their resistance to cleaning to be assessed. This does not mean two paints are needed; the company must propose a solution for the whole space.
- Mark the walls that are cleaned and what is usually removed from them.
- Note the finish you prefer and whether you have already seen a physical sample.
- Ask for the full reference of the proposed product.
- Ask when and how the manufacturer allows that surface to be cleaned.
Check the sample and quote
If a range offers both finishes, compare samples of the same colour from that range, labelled matt and satin. Looking at different colours or products at the same time would leave you unable to tell which difference comes from the finish. If you have only chosen from a colour chart, ask for a sample representing the final option and check what remains undecided.
Ask for the quote to identify the product and finish. “Matt white” or “washable” leave the reference unspecified. If an alternative is proposed, confirm it before work begins.
Preparation must still appear as a separate task. Choosing a finish does not confirm that the existing paint is well bonded or that repairs are complete. If there are damaged zones, indicate their location for the substrate inspection and ask whether they affect the proposed choice.
What “washable” means for your decision
Do not test a freshly painted wall with whatever cleaning product you have to hand to check a marketing term. Ask for the applicable instructions and when cleaning can begin. If you do not know which product is already on a wall, explain that limitation to the professional.
Choose the performance that matches the zone's use. For a wall that is hardly ever cleaned, an additional claim may not change your choice; for another with frequent contact, ask about the specific performance and conditions.
In the calculator, standard and washable are estimate options. The paint reference offered by the company must then appear in its proposal.