Residential Paint Finishes

Home Paint Finishes

So, if you're new to the painting, you probably may be wondering, "What's a finish?" Simple Finishing is a certain kind of "look" that the paint has once dried. Some paints have a great finish, and some have a smooth finish, others have a muted finish. The best part is that it depends on the type of finish you want.

A paint finish, or “sheen” refers to the texture of the paint surface as well as the amount of light that is refracted from the painted surface, and both can affect the way the eyes perceive the color.

Therefore, paint color, the finish, as well as the surface, must be considered before painting. Some end up working better than others on certain surfaces in specific and especially bright colors.

Here is a general description of each type of finish and where each one works best.

Flat:

Provides a smooth and uniform look - an ideal option for more formal rooms of your home, such as living rooms and dining areas. Flat or "matte" finishes get their name due to the lack of reflection of the painted surface. This is one of the major benefits of matte finishing because it helps to masks surface irregularities, such as dents, nail holes, or patches. Matte is also a good choice for ceiling color. Flat finishes often require fewer layers of semi-gloss and gloss paints, and it is also easier to retouch because there is less contrast between the touch-up paint and the rest of the painted surface.

Eggshell:

If you are in doubt, the eggshell is always a safe bet. It has a soft, washable look that works well in living rooms, family rooms, and corridors. It gets its name from its recognizable effect that gives the painted surface the texture of the eggshell that is visible from the corner to the light. Eggshell finishes are not very bright, but more reflective than flat sheens.

Satin:

Satin finish paint is probably the most commonly used on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. As with eggshell, this is good for large traffic areas such as children's rooms, corridors, and family rooms. The satin finishes are highly resistant to mildew and are easier to clean than flat or eggshell finishes and can be easily cleaned or scrubbed. On exterior surfaces, satin is ideal for painting the siding that is in good or excellent condition.

Semi-gloss:

This finish is reflective than satin, but not as shiny as gloss. Semi-gloss and gloss finishing gives the walls a great look and improves the look of the room. Off-white and pale shades of light colors are perforated and enhanced by the brilliant effect created by these team finishes. They are ideal for use in high humidity areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens, particularly semi-gloss, due to their high moisture resistance. They are also simpler to clean (with slight scrubbing or wiping) compared to other finishes.

Gloss:

this finishing has the highest level of reflection. Perfect for use on doors, cabinets, molding, and trim that are often washed out. Outside, gloss is good for door frames, windows casing and shutters. Semi-gloss and gloss sheens often require more layers than less glossy finishing and often require more preparation, such as sanding.

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