Are you planning for your next interior painting project and indecisive about the best paint finish? There are different types of paint finish and they vary in appearance. It’s important to give paint sheen careful consideration when planning your painting project. We are going to give you a thorough explanation of different paint finishes to help you choose the best one for your home or office.
Flat
Flat finishes are sophisticated and opaque. They are the least shiny finish but shouldn’t be confused with matte finishes. The flat finish is sophisticated and has an opaque appearance. Although a flat finish is recommended for ceilings and interior walls, it is harder to keep clean if you have small children or pets. Painting over scribbles and fingerprints is the only way to remove them.
Recommended Interior Uses:
- Bedrooms
- Ceilings
- Dining room
- Family room
- Hallways
- Living room
Eggshell
If you are looking for a sheen that requires low maintenance, then Eggshell is recommended. Eggshell finishes are low-luster and its appearance resembles an egg’s surface. They are easier to clean and is also resistant to scuffs and stains. Eggshell finishes are normally used on interior wood surfaces and it is a great alternative if you choose not to use a gloss or semi-gloss finish.
Recommended Interior Use:
- Bedrooms
- Dining room
- Family room
- Foyer
- Hallways
- Kitchen
- Living Room
- Trim
Satin
Satin paint has a glossy sheen but it is less shiny than gloss and semi-gloss. It has become increasingly popular for wooden interior surfaces. Like Eggshell, it is very durable and can withstand regular scrubbing. However, the glossiness will highlight any wall imperfections such as divots, poorly patched areas, and cracks.
Recommended Interior Use:
- Children’s bedroom
- Dining room
- Doors
- Family room
- Guest bathroom
- Kitchen
- Laundry room
- Playroom
- Shutters
- Trim
Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss is primarily used for interior trim and woodwork. Semi-gloss finishes offer great protection against smudges. It produces a nice shiny finish without an appearance of being wet. This is an important factor because it will easily distinguish the trim apart from the walls. For example, if you are painting both interior walls and trim white. Also, it is easy to maintain with water, soap, and a little elbow grease.
Recommended Interior Use:
- Bathrooms
- Cabinets
- Doors
- Hallway
- Kitchen
- Molding
- Trim
Gloss
Paint is more durable when more gloss is present. Gloss paints are indeed the toughest out of all the finishes. Although gloss will add a striking visual effect to your interior, keep in mind that it’s harder to cover imperfections with gloss finishes.
Recommended Interior Use:
- Bathrooms
- Cabinets
- Doors
- Kitchen
- Molding
- Trim
- Woodwork
When you are making the decision of which paint sheen you prefer to use, remember the more sheen, the more intense and darker the color will be. Paints with higher gloss will reflect light which will cause any imperfections to become more visible.
Are you seeking a professional painting company to assist you with your next big painting project and unsure of which option would be best for your home? Give Burnett Painting in Venice, FL a call at 1-800-PAINTING.