PAINT FINISHES, WHICH IS BEST?
Winter is a great time to update your surroundings since more time is spent inside. So why not have a DIY painting project? But before we discuss finishes for your walls, make sure your surface is ready to paint. To get the best results out of your paint’s finish, priming the surface is essential. Not only does it help ensure that you will get the look you want, but it also makes your paint job as durable and long-lasting as it can be. Primers seal up porous surfaces and prevent stains and previous colors from showing up underneath your paint job.
By now you’ve probably decided color schemes, but have you decided which finish is best? Let’s review them.
A Certified Color Expert at Longenecker’s hardware store can help you choose the correct color and finish for the surface on which you’re working. Here is a general overview:
• Flat – Provides a smooth look and hides surface imperfections. An ideal choice for living rooms, dining rooms, dens and home offices.
- Eggshell – Has a soft, washable sheen that looks great in living rooms, dining rooms, dens and home offices. Should not be used for exteriors.
- Satin – Offers a slightly shiny appearance that holds well to washing. Use in heavily trafficked areas, such as hallways, kid’s bedrooms and playrooms.Semi-Gloss – Has a higher sheen level than satin, but not as shiny as gloss. Use in kitchens and bathrooms or on trim and windows.
- Gloss – Highest sheen level. Perfect for use on doors, cabinets and trim areas that are washed often.
Flat Finishes
Flat or matte sheens get their name from the lack of reflection from the painted surface. Flat finishes absorb more light and so reflect it less. This lack of reflection is one of the benefits of a matte finish. The flat sheen is good at hiding surface imperfections, such as dents, nail holes, patches and other surface flaws in new construction. It is also a good choice for ceiling painting. Flat finishes are ideal for low-traffic areas such as formal dining rooms and master bedrooms. Flat finishes are not very washable. They often absorb more dirt than other finishes and so dirt and scuffs begin to show more over time. They are also not as durable.
Eggshell and Satin Finishes
Eggshell finishes are low-gloss, but more reflective than flat sheens. This finish gets its name from its distinctive effect that gives a painted surface the texture of an eggshell when viewed at an angle in the light. Eggshell is more easily cleaned than a flat finish and is more durable. It is good for general-purpose rooms, such as living rooms, family rooms and hallways. Satin finish paints are probably the most used finish, on both interior and exterior surfaces. The term “satin” sheen is often used interchangeably with eggshell. However, satin finishes are typically glossier than eggshell. As with eggshell, this finish is good for high-traffic areas like kids’ rooms, hallways and family rooms. They resist mildew effectively and are easier to clean than flat or eggshell finishes and can be wiped down or scrubbed lightly.
Semi-Gloss and Gloss Finishes
Semi-gloss and gloss finishes provide walls with a shiny appearance and brighten a room’s appearance. Off-whites and pale shades of lighter colors are punched up and made brighter by the glossy effect created with these finishes. They are ideal for use in areas with high humidity such as bathrooms and kitchens, particularly semi-gloss, because of a high moisture resistance. They are also the easiest to clean, compared to other finishes, with light scrubbing or wiping.
The downside to a gloss finish is that it shows almost every imperfection on a wall or ceiling. Gloss finishes are best used on trim, molding and other woodwork, cabinets, doors and in the kitchen or bath, where surfaces may require frequent cleaning.
The advantage of semi-gloss, compared to gloss, is that this finish often can be used on walls in high-traffic areas, but also is a good choice for the same surfaces as gloss: woodwork, cabinets or in the kitchen.
Stop in Longenecker’s True Value for paint inspiration and samples. We are here to help you!