Selecting the right paint finish is as important as choosing the right color. Applying the wrong paint finish to a specific surface or area can ruin your paint job. That’s why helpful to have painting contractors near me to help you select the right paint finish.
What is a paint “finish”?
The term “finish” refers to the paint’s glossiness or sheen, determined by its chemistry. High-gloss paints have more resins and less pigmentation, while flat paints have more pigmentation and fewer resins. This amount of resin explains why glossy paints often require more coats, while flat paints can cover a surface adequately with a single coat.
Both latex (water-based) and oil-based paints are available in all finishes. For most people, latex paints are often preferred because they allow easier cleanup and emit fewer fumes than oil-based paints.
The different types of paint finishes
Each paint finish has advantages. This section also lists the best areas to apply them.
1) Flat or matte
- It has a matte finish with no sheen.
- It has a slightly chalky feel to it.
- It is best for covering surface imperfections.
- However, it is the least durable of all the paint finishes as it can be easily scuffed or smeared and doesn’t offer easy cleanup.
- It is best for low-traffic areas, such as the bedroom and ceiling.
2) Eggshell
- It has a very low sheen, like the sheen you see on an eggshell.
- It is suitable for most walls.
- It is more durable than flat paint but still less durable than glossier paints.
- It can hold up to cleaning better than flat paint.
- It is suitable for hiding imperfections, such as uneven brushstrokes.
- It is best for low to moderate-traffic areas, such as the bedroom, living room, dining area, nursery, and children’s playroom. You can also use it to paint ceilings.
3) Satin
- It has a smooth and velvety appearance, just like satin.
- It is often used for painting doors and trim.
- It can also be used as wall paint. Consider using satin paints on accent walls, for example.
- It is more resistant to moisture and dirt than a flat or eggshell finish.
- It can hold up to cleaning and light scrubbing.
- However, satin paint’s glossiness prevents it from hiding imperfections, such as wall cracks or patched areas.
- It is most suitable for children’s rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and other areas of the home that receive a lot of traffic.
4) Semi-gloss
- It has a higher degree of sheen than eggshell and satin.
- It is more durable.
- It repels moisture and dirt.
- It holds up to cleaning and scrubbing.
- However, it could be better at hiding surface flaws.
- It is often used on doors, trim, cabinets, railings, and high-traffic and humidity areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
5) Glossy
- It has the highest degree of sheen of an almost reflective quality.
- It is the most durable of all the paint finishes.
- It repels moisture and dirt.
- It holds up to cleaning and scrubbing.
- However, it could be better at hiding surface flaws.
- It is commonly used to paint doors, trim, cabinets, railings, and areas with high traffic and humidity, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Essential (and some interesting) points to consider when choosing paint finishes
- While semi-gloss and glossy paints aren’t usually used for home interiors, they can create a dramatic look on walls, ceilings, and furnishings, especially if you know how to apply them correctly.
- If you choose a semi-gloss or glossy paint, prepare the surfaces carefully before painting. A poorly prepared surface will show its flaws and incorrectly patched areas through the paint.
- Semi-gloss and glossy paints are usually more versatile than flat paints as they can be used in every area of your home – yes, even your bedroom. When applied correctly, semi-gloss and glossy paints can create a “wet” effect on walls, an aesthetic feature that is appealing to some homeowners.
- Semi-gloss and glossy paints are best used for areas with low outdoor light.
- Go for flat paints if you want a rustic or “shabby-chic” look.
- Most manufacturers claim that all paint finishes, including flat ones, can be cleaned and scrubbed. But the general rule is that the glossier the paint, the better it will withstand scuffing, scraping, dings, wiping, and scrubbing.
Selecting the right sheen involves both aesthetic and practical factors. From most people’s aesthetic and practical standpoint, sheen creates visual interest and simultaneously helps prolong the life of a paint job. If you can’t decide which paint finish you should use, painting contractors near me will help you choose the right one.