There are a number of paint finishes to choose from for your home. You can choose from matte, satin, high-gloss, eggshell, and even flat. But which finish is right for you? Painting specialists will usually include finishes in their price and packages for painting service but ultimately, you will have to decide on the details.
Eggshell
If you’re looking for a good balance of durability and washability, eggshell paint is an ideal choice. However, this type of paint isn’t for every room in your home. The best places for eggshell are bedrooms, hallways, and family rooms.
Eggshell can be an excellent choice for older homes because of its high level of durability. It’s also a great choice for novice DIYers who want to tackle their own woodwork.
Eggshell paint is water-based, so it’s easy to clean. You can use it on cabinets, skirting boards, fireplace surrounds, window sills, and bannister rails.
Eggshell is a durable paint that can last for many years. This makes it an ideal choice for areas that aren’t constantly tamed.
Although eggshell is more expensive than flat finishes, it’s still a cost-effective option. It doesn’t need to be repainted as often as flat paint. And it’s also scuff-resistant.
Unlike glossy or satin, eggshell can be applied to uneven walls. That means that you don’t have to worry about covering up large drywall imperfections.
One of the most important parts of any painting project is choosing the right finish. You’ll want to choose one that’s appropriate for your home and your style. There are several different finishes to choose from, and they all come with their own advantages and disadvantages. But choosing the perfect one can make all the difference in your next paint job.
One of the best things about eggshell is its silky shine. Its low luster and low reflectivity help hide minor flaws. Depending on the brand you buy, you’ll find that it’s able to last for decades.
It’s easy to see why eggshell is so popular. Whether you’re staging your home for sale, updating a room, or simply doing a refresh, an eggshell sheen is an ideal choice.
Satin
Satin paint finish is one of the most popular finishes, both by professional painters and DIYers. It’s a nice way to add a soft glow to your walls and is less likely to damage your wall’s finish than higher-gloss counterparts. However, it does require some prep work.
First, consider the type of room you’re painting. For example, you can use satin in a kitchen or kids’ room, but it’s not suitable for a dining room or living room.
Satin also makes it easier to wash away dirt. This is especially important for a kitchen, since maintaining it is important. Also, the higher the gloss, the easier it is to clean the finish.
Another good reason to choose satin is that it will not hide brush strokes. In fact, it will show them up. You can even highlight trim and shutters in your home by using this type of paint.
The satin paint finish also has an elegant look. The shine is more subtle than that of other finishes, and it does a better job of reflecting light.
Depending on your goals, the right finish for your room can be a challenging decision. If you’re not sure, ask a painting expert for their opinions. They should be able to help you decide on the best options for your situation.
A satin finish may also be a good choice if you live in a house with high moisture. Because it’s more resistant to moisture, it will last longer. On the other hand, it’s not recommended for rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight.
Whether you choose satin or another finish, make sure to take care of the prep work. This includes cleaning and scrubbing your walls, but it also requires a bit of preparation.
High-gloss
Gloss paint finishes add shine and elegance to your home. They also bounce light around a room and give the impression of depth. For this reason, many top designers choose glossy walls for their interiors.
High-gloss paint finishes are durable and easy to clean. However, there are some downsides to using gloss products. First, the finish is very shiny, so it will show off imperfections on the wall. You also have to use multiple thin coats to achieve a high-gloss finish. This can lead to an overly shiny surface.
The other disadvantage is that glossy surfaces require a lot of maintenance. In order to keep them looking pristine, you must be careful about cleaning. If you don’t wash it well, it can build up dirt. And even after you clean it, you might still have some dust or scuff marks.
Choosing the right color for your glossy walls is important. You want a color that will go with your furniture and trim. Also, make sure to choose something that you like.
Gloss paint is also ideal for woodwork. It will create a lacquer-like look on cabinets and accent furniture. When used on doors, it can give them a striking look.
However, you should always use a high-quality product. This will help ensure that the paint has better durability and pigment levels.
Lastly, you will need to prepare your walls for the paint. To make sure that the finish adheres to your walls, you will need to sand the area carefully. Once you are satisfied with the preparation, apply primer. Swedish Putty is a good oil-based primer.
Whether you are using high-gloss paint to accent your furniture or to paint the entire exterior of your home, you will need to follow the proper steps to get the job done.
Flat
If you’re planning to paint your home, consider a flat or matte finish. These finishes are more resistant to stains and light. They are also easier to clean. The best way to clean a flat finish wall is to wipe it down with a damp cloth and warm water. A magic eraser sponge can be used to remove stubborn stains.
Flat paint is best for ceilings and walls that will be exposed to minimal traffic. It can cover up flaws such as textured walls and drywall.
For kitchens and bathrooms, choose a higher sheen. This will give more light a chance to bounce around the room. However, it will be more difficult to remove stains. You may need to paint more often.
A flat or matte finish may save you time from having to do a second coat. You can use leftover paint to touch up smaller areas. Some flat paints are even advertised as washable.
Eggshell is another popular flat finish. It offers the best coverage. Unlike some other low-grade flat paints, eggshell has the most pigment.
It’s best to avoid builder-grade flat paint, which wears quickly and easily. It’s also easy to scuff. Despite its name, it’s not very durable.
While some people like flat paint, it’s not necessarily the right choice for every home. It’s best to pick a paint finish that will best fit the room you plan to paint. Consider the room’s traffic and the amount of work you need to do.
If you’re unsure about what finish to choose, consult a guide. It will explain the strengths and weaknesses of different paint finishes. Remember, you can always paint over a poorly-done job.
Matte
Matte paint is a finish that conceals imperfections in the surface. They are usually used on interior walls. However, they can be used on exterior surfaces.
Unlike glossy finishes, matte finishes do not have a high gloss percentage. This allows them to be easy to clean. You can also touch up a matte finish with just a bit of extra paint.
Matte finishes are ideal for areas with low traffic. However, they should not be used in kitchens, bathrooms or playrooms. Besides, they can be difficult to keep clean. Also, they have little shine, which means they do not reflect light. If you choose to use a flat or eggshell finish, make sure to check for scratches.
A high gloss paint will reflect light. It will provide a bright sheen when dry. These types of paint are more durable than matte. However, you will need to spend a bit more to purchase the proper paint. The higher the sheen, the easier the paint will be to clean.
Flat and eggshell paint are good for areas that have little traffic. Some homeowners prefer them for hallways or adult bedrooms. Although they are more durable, they are not great for children’s rooms.
Choosing a matte or satin finish can help you maintain your aesthetic. However, you should always test a paint hue in the room you are considering before committing.
While these finishes are excellent at hiding surface flaws, they are not as easy to clean as glossy paint. You may need to do a little extra prep work to ensure the finish is smooth. Luckily, some manufacturers are offering scrubbable versions of these paints.
For a more formal look, you can try a dark hunter green in a gloss finish. It will give your library a cozy midcentury feel.