When it comes to painting your home, choosing the right paint finishes and paint sheens is just the beginning. The paint finish or sheen you select can significantly impact the overall appearance and functionality of the painted surface. With various types of wall paint finishes available, it’s essential to understand their characteristics and uses to make the best choice for your project. This blog explores different paint finishes and sheens, their benefits and drawbacks, and where they work best.
Before you begin to do some interior painting by yourself or with the help of professional painters, you should know what are the best paints for walls. There are many different paint finishes, so preparation is key. If you decide to get on help from an interior painting company, they will know exactly what types of paint finishes to choose for you. They will complete the job quickly and efficiently. With that being said, what are the different paint finishes and paint sheens?
Furthermore, what exactly is a paint sheen and paint finish if we want to get super technical? We’re going to get into all that! As well as where these types of paint sheens and paint finishes are best for interior painting. So, let’s dig into different paint finishes and paint sheens!
What Exactly is a Paint Sheen?
There is so much to consider before beginning your interior painting (as well as exterior painting) than just paint colour. Have you ever walked into a friend’s home and noticed how smooth their interior paint worked looked? Or perhaps the woodwork and trim really stood out with its shine and glossy look. All that comes down to paint sheen and types of paint finishes.
Sheen refers to the gloss level of the paint. So, the higher the gloss level, the shinier the appearance of that particular paint will be. Practically speaking, high gloss or shinier paint finishes are typically easier to clean and scrub. So, that’s always something to consider when picking out your paint sheen for the room you’re painting. Also, thinking about aesthetics, paint sheens or glosses can also draw attention to surfaces. If you use a high gloss or super shiny interior paint on a surface with many flaws, they will show up in abundance. So, all of these criteria are important when considering paint sheens and types of paint finishes.
Latex vs Oil-Based Paint Finishes
Before painting, you should ask yourself: what are the best paints for walls?
Oil-based paint is more durable, while latex paint can also be long-lasting. While it’s not quite as durable as oil-based paint, latex paint is much easier to work with because it dries faster than oil-based paint. When you use oil-based paint vs. latex, you must wait an entire day (sometimes more) for your first coat of paint to dry. So, often, oil-based paints aren’t as practical anymore. Oil-based paints are banned in some areas due to not being environmentally sound.
Latex paint is suitable for painting projects like walls and ceilings, while oil is better for wood-based projects. Applying a coat of primer before painting will help you significantly when working on unfinished walls. If you plan to use latex paint, use a latex-based primer. Oppositely, if you use oil, use an oil-based primer. It is best to paint latex paint for walls because they don’t turn yellow over time, dry quicker, and have lower VOCs. VOC stands for “Volatile Organic Compound,” and interior and exterior paints with low or zero VOCs are better for the environment. To learn all about low-VOC paint, visit this blog here!
Thinking About Rooms In Your Home & Paint Sheen
When thinking about different paint sheens and what rooms or spaces to put them in, remember a basic rule of thumb. This can depend on the materials you’re painting, but the higher the sheen, the more shine, which often means it will be a more durable finish. Remember, though; it’s not always that simple. So, let’s break things down further for different parts of your home.
• Kitchen & Bathroom: High gloss paint is suggested for kitchen cabinet painting and door painting, and trim work.
Benjamin Moore’s Ultra Spec SCUFF-X Pearl is our recommendation for kitchen cabinet painting and trim work. Semi-gloss paint will do the job fine for the interior wall painting in your kitchen. It’s easy to clean and stain-resistant and you can find specialty paints, like Benjamin Moore’s Kitchen & Bath Paint which are also mildew resistant.
- Family Room: For many families, the family room is where daily living occurs. For that reason, you want to be sure that your interior painting on the walls is durable and can be easily scrubbed. You can go for a satin finish if you want something super rich and velvety looking. The Ultra Spec SCUFF-X Pearl Satin will be a nice paint sheen for this room. Also, an eggshell or flat paint works well in this area because it hides imperfections.
• Bedrooms: Bedrooms are typically a low-traffic area. It’s usually recommended that you go with a flat or matte finish. You can get the Regal Select line in flat and matte paint sheens.
• Ceilings: An eggshell or flat paint is often recommended for ceilings.
Sherwin Williams Eminence High-Performance Ceiling Paint in a flat sheen will do the job well.
Understanding Paint Finishes & Paint Sheens
How to Pick the Right Paint Sheen?
Now that we know what is best between latex and oil-based paints for walls, you should start thinking about sheens. Sheen refers to the glossiness of a paint finish. So, what are the 5 types of paint finishes?
1. High Gloss Paint: In terms of shininess, high gloss paint offers the highest level of reflection. If you’re looking for something that will give a high-shine, almost glass-like finish, high gloss paint can be a good choice for cabinets, doors, moulding, and trim.
2. Semi-Gloss Paint: For paint sheen, semi-gloss paint offers up a sleek and radiant finish. This type of sheen is highly suggested for interior painting. This is because it is slicker, durable, and stain-resistant. It is great for children’s play areas and kitchen and bathroom walls.
3. Satin Finish Paint: This paint finish has the most velvety of textures. Satin finish paint possesses an almost soft pearl-like appearance. It is less lustrous than semi-gloss paint, so it will appear flat and glossy. In reality, though, it depends on the room’s lighting.
4. Eggshell or Flat Paint: Eggshell or flat paint also possesses a soft appearance similar to the satin finish paint. Only these paints have the least amount of sheen and glossiness. They are a good choice if you are hiding any wall imperfections. Eggshell or Flat paint is best for walls or ceilings. Ideally, you should not use them for kitchens or bathrooms, like other paint finishes.
5. Matte Paint: In terms of matte paint finish, this sheen possesses a very low lustre reflective sheen. Matte paint is durable and easy to clean, and you can touch it up nicely. It can also hide imperfections on walls as well. You might choose matte paint for moderate-traffic areas in your home, such as your bedroom or dining room.
Paint Sheen Guide
• Satin vs Flat paint:
Satin paint has a slightly higher sheen than eggshell paint finishes. Unlike flat paints, they are warmer and provide more depth in their appearance. Satin paint is also more stain-resistant than flat paint. While flat paints are used on walls or ceilings, satin paint is better off in family rooms.
• Satin vs Semi-Gloss paint:
Satin and semi-gloss paints are the most compared paint finishes, but semi-gloss has much more sheen than satin. This means that light from windows will bounce off semi-gloss paint more easily than satin and eggshell paint.
• Semi-Gloss vs High Gloss paint:
Semi-gloss paints are a little more glossy in appearance compared to gloss paint. Also, semi-gloss is less reflective than gloss paint. Semi-gloss and high gloss paints are easier to clean and are used on cabinets and doors. So they are exposed to dirt and oil. High-gloss paint emphasizes surface imperfections, and semi-gloss paint is easy to clean.
• Flat vs Matte:
Flat paint contains more pigment than any other paint finish. It is known as concealer paint or matte paint. It is non-reflective, meaning the paint will soak up any light. Flat paint is more accessible to apply than other finishes, and based on budget, it is a less expensive option than the rest.
Choosing the Right Paint Finish for Your Project
Different paint finishes work best in specific areas and applications. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right finish for your project:
1. Flat/Matte Finish
Best for: Ceilings, bedrooms, living rooms, and low-traffic areas.
Benefits: Hides surface imperfections, minimizes glare, and provides a uniform appearance.
Drawbacks: Less durable and more challenging to clean than other finishes, making it less suitable for high-traffic or high-moisture areas.
1. Flat/Matte Finish
Best for: Ceilings, bedrooms, living rooms, and low-traffic areas.
Benefits: Hides surface imperfections, minimizes glare, and provides a uniform appearance.
Drawbacks: Less durable and more challenging to clean than other finishes, making it less suitable for high-traffic or high-moisture areas.
3. Satin Finish
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, family rooms, and children’s rooms.
Benefits: It provides a smooth, velvety appearance, is moderately durable, and is easy to clean.
Drawbacks: These may show application flaws, such as brush or roller marks, more readily than lower-sheen finishes.
4. Semi-Gloss Finish
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, doors, window trim, and high-traffic areas.
Benefits: Highly durable, easy to clean, and moisture-resistant.
Drawbacks: Can highlight surface imperfections due to their reflective nature.
5. Gloss Finish
Best for: Doors, trim, cabinetry, and furniture.
Benefits: Offers a high level of durability, is easy to clean, and provides a sleek, polished appearance.
Drawbacks: Highly reflective, which can accentuate surface imperfections and application flaws.
Some Last Few Suggestions on Paint Finishes and Paint Sheens
You should have an idea as to what are the best paint finishes for walls before beginning to interior paint, First, start off by using an excellent primer, like Benjamin Moore’s Fresh Start Primer. It is low on VOCs, it dries fast, and it is easy to apply. If you want interior latex paint, look no further than Ultra Spec Scruff-X. It is great for painting walls and any woodwork. Lastly, you can never go wrong with Regal Select Interior Paint. It’s one of the most top quality interior paints you can find. It’s also a 2-in-1 paint and primer. Plus, it is splatter-resistant and very smooth to apply. Not to mention that it dries fast and leaves no brush strokes. For kitchen and bathroom projects, you should consider Benjamin Moore Kitchen & Bath Paint. It is perfect for high humidity and moisture areas.
Preparation is Vital!
Before you start any painting project, you should always prep your walls. This means cleaning your walls with soap and water. A clean surface will always be more accessible to paint on than a dirty one. Also, fill any holes you notice with a suitable filler.
To ensure a smooth surface, you should possibly sand your walls too! None of this would be possible without suitable painting materials and tools. This includes paintbrushes, paint rollers, trays, and many more. Your room needs to have proper ventilation.
Even if you paint during the colder seasons, you can open your windows to allow proper dry airways. If you forget these tips, don’t forget that an interior painting service is here for you. They can complete the job for you quickly and efficiently.
In conclusion…
Selecting the right paint finish is crucial for achieving your painted surfaces’ desired look and functionality. By understanding the characteristics and uses of different paint finishes and paint sheens, you can make informed decisions that will result in a beautiful, long-lasting paint job. So, consider your project’s specific needs and choose the finish that best suits your requirements for a stunning, durable result.
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