Choosing the right paint finish is essential to achieve the perfect look and durability of your painted surfaces. The different types of paint finishes, also known as paint sheens, can impact the overall appearance, maintenance, and longevity of your walls and surfaces. You can find all the information you need to make the best decision for your home in this article.
Understanding Different Types of Paint Finishes and Sheens
You have a choice of several different paint finishes, each with its own distinctive qualities. Let’s explore them in more detail:
- Flat Paint Finishes: Flat paint finishes, also known as matte finishes, are ideal for covering up wall imperfections. The surfaces have a low gloss, so they do not reflect a lot of light and are suitable for areas with less foot traffic. On the other hand, they lack durability and can be challenging to clean.
- Satin Paint Finishes: Satin paint finishes are great for areas with high foot traffic, such as hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms, due to their soft and velvety appearance and texture. They are moderately durable and can be cleaned relatively easily.
- Eggshell Paint Finishes: Eggshell finishes have a low sheen and a pearl-like appearance. They are perfect for walls that have minor surface imperfections and are great for areas with low to moderate traffic. Eggshell finishes offer more durability than flat or matte paint finishes.
- Semi-Gloss Paint Finishes: Semi-gloss paint finishes are more durable than flat, matte, or eggshell finishes and have a higher sheen. These are suitable for use in areas with high levels of moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. They are also great for trimming and molding. Semi-gloss finishes are relatively easy to clean.
- Gloss Paint Finishes: Glossy paint finishes have the highest sheen of all paint finishes and reflect a lot of light. They are perfect for highlighting architectural details and accents but can be overwhelming if used on large surfaces like walls. The durability and ease of cleaning glossy paint finishes are high.
How Paint Finishes Can Hide Surface Imperfections
Different paint finishes have the ability to conceal surface imperfections, which is one of their most significant advantages. Here’s how each finish can help:
- Flat Paint Finishes: Flat finishes are perfect for covering up wall imperfections. The surfaces have a low sheen, so they reflect less light and reveal fewer imperfections.
- Satin Paint Finishes: Satin finishes can help hide minor surface imperfections and offer a smooth, uniform look.
Eggshell Paint Finishes: Eggshell finishes have a soft, subtle sheen that can hide minor imperfections while offering more durability than flat or matte finishes.
- Semi-Gloss Paint Finishes: Semi-gloss finishes have a higher sheen that can hide surface imperfections, making them a great choice for trim and molding.
- Gloss Paint Finishes: Glossy finishes have the highest sheen, which can help hide surface imperfections and make a surface look smoother.
Choosing the Right Paint Sheen
In addition to the type of paint finish, the paint sheen can also impact the overall look and durability of your painted surfaces. To help you choose the appropriate paint sheen for your project, I have provided you with some helpful tips.
- Durability: Please take into account the level of traffic and humidity that the painted surface will endure. High-traffic and high-moisture areas require more durable paint sheens like semi-gloss or glossy.
- Surface Imperfections: If your walls have minor surface imperfections, eggshell or satin finishes can help to hide them.
- Lighting: Take into account both natural and artificial lighting levels present in the room. Glossy finishes can be overwhelming in rooms with a lot of natural light, while flat or matte finishes can make a room feel dull if not paired with the right paint color or decor.
- Maintenance: Consider how often the painted surface will need to be cleaned. Glossy finishes are easy to clean, while flat or matte finishes can be more difficult.
- Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best paint sheen for your needs depends on your personal preferences and the overall look you want to achieve.
Tips for Painting with Different Paint Finishes
Now that you’ve selected the right paint finish and sheen for your project, it’s important to know how to paint with it effectively. These tips will help you when painting with various paint finishes:
- To ensure good results, use a high-quality roller or brush when applying the paint. Additionally, make sure you avoid overworking the paint or applying too much pressure.
- For flat finishes, use a flat paint roller or brush to achieve an even look without visible brush strokes.
- For satin, eggshell, semi-gloss, and glossy finishes, use a high-quality brush to apply the paint, and work in small sections to avoid visible brush strokes.
- Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times.
Industry Terms to Learn:
High Gloss Paint
Paints with a glossy finish that reflects a lot of light
Interior Walls
The definition of interior walls refers to walls that are located within a building, whether it’s a residential home, office building, or any other type of structure. They provide visual separation within the interior space and help divide the room from room.
Flat Finish
Flat finishes have the lowest sheen of any paint finish and provide a matte look that does not reflect much light.
Satin Paint Finish
Satin finishes have a low to medium sheen, providing more durability than flat finishes while still hiding some surface imperfections.
Reflect Light
The light that is reflected or bounced off of a surface.
Eggshell Covers Wall Imperfections
Eggshell finish paints are a great choice for hiding minor surface imperfections, as they have a soft sheen that can help to camouflage them.
Paint’s Sheen
Paint’s sheen is the level of shine or gloss in a paint. The sheen will depend on the type of paint and its finish. The greater the sheen, the more light the surface will reflect, giving it a shinier and smoother appearance.
Flat paints have no sheen, while satin and eggshell finishes have a slight sheen, and semi-gloss and gloss paints have a higher sheen. The right sheen will depend on the surface type, light conditions in the room, and any imperfections that need to be hidden.
Chalk Paint
Chalk paint is a variety of paint that has gained popularity due to its ease of use, coverage, and matte finish. A common use for it is to give furniture, cabinets, walls, and other surfaces a rustic or vintage appearance. The chalk finish allows for easy distressing of the painted surface with sandpaper or steel wool.
Semi Gloss Paints
Semi-gloss paints are shinier than satin and eggshell finishes, and they are a good choice for areas with a lot of foot traffic because they are stronger and simpler to clean. A semi-gloss paint will reflect much more light than a flat or matte finish, making the room appear brighter and shinier.
High Gloss Finishes
High gloss finishes have the highest sheen of any paint finish and will reflect the lightest. They are great for making a room look brighter but can be overwhelming in rooms with a lot of natural light. High gloss finishes are ideal for high-traffic areas since they are very easy to clean and maintain.
Conclusion
Choosing the right paint finish and sheen is an essential step in any painting project. To make an informed decision about the paint finishes and sheens for your painted surfaces, it’s important to know their respective impacts on appearance, durability, and maintenance. Remember to consider factors like traffic, lighting, and maintenance when selecting the right paint finish and sheen for your project, and use high-quality tools and techniques to achieve the best results.
References
https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/painting-lighting/paint-sheen-guide/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/painting/21097095/a-guide-to-paint-finishes