Paint Finishes: How to Find Your Way Around?

There’re thousands of paint colors out there, as you will notice if you’re planning to repaint your home.

But beyond the colors, there are also the finishes and the types of paint, which are just as much to be considered when the time comes to choose your paint.

Most homeowners in Washington MI don’t consider paint finish as much as paint color.

Many things can dictate the type of paint finish you choose, and here are some of them;

  • The type of room in which the paint will be applied
  • The function you assign to the room (playroom or bedroom?),
  • Lighting style
  • Lighting in the room
  • Your personal preferences for a type of finish.

This reflection should ideally be done before going to the store since this information must be given to the person who will help you with your choice.

Remember that some finishes require more precision and finesse in the application and are not necessarily within the reach of beginner painters

To an informed choice, here is a quick look at the various possibilities available to you, for paint finishes.

The different paint finishes

As mentioned above, the choice of finish is first made according to the type of surface to be covered, as well as the area and type of the room where you want to apply the paint (wall, ceiling, floor, bedroom, kitchen, etc.).

Depending on the areas and their usefulness, certain finishes will be preferred over others.

The paint finish or luster expresses its appearance and the amount of light it reflects.

A high sheen finish, which therefore reflects a lot of light, will be called glossy and a very low sheen, which reflects little light, will be called matt.

Between the two are various sheens which more or less reflect the light.

Since the finishes can vary from one manufacturer to another, it is important to inquire before purchasing.

For example, for some paints, the velvety finish will be made from 5% to 10% sheen at 60 °, while for others, this finish will be made from 15% to 25% sheen, but at 85 °.

The difference in degree is explained by the fact that for low-gloss paints, the degree of gloss will be higher (85 °) than for more glossy paints (60 °).

In addition, with some manufacturers, it will be called eggshell, and with others, it will be called satin.

The glossy finish (more lustrous finish) is stain-resistant and makes cleaning easier than the more matte finishes, but at the expense of enhancing surface imperfections

Here is a quick look at the most common Paint finishes and their characteristics.

Matte finish

Characteristics

  • Consistency in application
  • Hide imperfections
  • Absorbs light
  • Hold the dust
  • More difficult to clean

Best for:

  • Ceiling
  • Dining room
  • Living room
  • Bedroom
  • Low maintenance walls

Velvety/Eggshell

Characteristics

  • Sleek, low-shine finish
  • Uniform appearance of the surface
  • Washable, but stains more easily

Best for:

  • Living room
  • Dining room
  • Bedroom
  • Office
  • Entrance hall
  • Corridor

Satin/Pearl finish

Characteristics

  • You can easily wipe off stains on the surface
  • Soft sheen that reflects light
  • Ideal for busy rooms
  • Very versatile

Best for:

  • Fits all rooms
  • Doors
  • Woodwork and moldings
  • Staircase
  • Floor

Semi-gloss finish

Characteristics

  • You can lightly scrub the surface to remove stains
  • Ideal for places more exposed to frequent traffic and dirt

Best For:

  • Fits all rooms
  • Doors
  • Woodwork and moldings
  • Staircase
  • Floor

Glossy/High Gloss finish

Characteristics

  • Tenacious and durable, can be fired hard for cleaning
  • Easily maintained with minimal effort
  • Provides a very shiny and uniform luster
  • Highlights surface imperfections

Best For:

  • Cooked
  • Bathroom
  • Bathroom
  • Laundry room
  • Woodwork and moldings
  • Doors
  • Cabinets
  • Staircase
  • Floor
  • Places with high humidity
  • Surfaces requiring frequent cleaning

Well, I hope that the quick overview of different paint finishes was useful.

If you need professional help with your home office repainting project, Eason Painting can help.

Our home interior painting services are available in Washington Township, Rochester, Romeo, Shelby Township, Harrison Township, and Clinton Township, MI.

Call us today on 586-465-5081 for a FREE painting estimate.

 

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