In our last article we covered how to properly PREPARE your walls for a fresh coat of paint. Now we are going to start to cover how to PAINT those walls, once prepped. This article is going to explain how to choose the CORRECT PAINT FINISH for the different painting you may be doing. This is vitally important, as you can do all the steps correctly but if you aren’t using the correct product – it’ll go all wrong. Keep reading for more information on how to CHOOSE what type of paint to purchase at your local paint store.
There are different finishes depending on if you are painting the exterior or interior of your property.
EXTERIOR
- Flat
- Satin
- Semi-Gloss
INTERIOR
- Flat
- Matte
- Eggshell
- Pearl
- Semi-Gloss
- Gloss or
- High-Gloss
There are many different finishes of paint for different purposes. Walls have various textures and you may have various desired outcomes.
PAINT FINISHES
FLAT – This finish doesn’t reflect light and is easy to apply. It is commonly used on ceilings. This is partially because it scuffs and dirties the easiest of all finishes, and thus shouldn’t be used on walls that are constantly touched.
MATTE – This finish is very low sheen, hides surface flaws and touches up well but scuffs easier than most. It is great for adult bedrooms and low traffic areas (again, to avoid excessive scuffs).
EGGSHELL – This is medium sheen, low light reflection, resists scuffs and easy to clean. Typically used in dining rooms, halls, bedrooms or living rooms. Some say this is the most popular choice for interior walls.
PEARL – This has a pearl-like appearance with a higher sheen and durability than eggshell. It is easy to clean and perfect for kitchens, bathrooms or any area that needs that higher reflectance or durability. More difficult to touch up however.
SATIN – A medium sheen exterior finish that offers a high surface durability without excessive sheen. The most popular exterior paint finish.
SEMI-GLOSS – Sleek looking, hard and highly durable. This finish is great for kitchen cabinets, trims, doors and anything that gets knocked about. Used when you want to resist scuffs, chips and dirt buildup.
GLOSS & HIGH GLOSS – The shiniest of finishes, great for high-use surfaces like cabinets, trims, doors and ornaments. The shine is over the top and should be reserved for surfaces you want to make a statement with. Difficult to get even application so consult you paint professional if you’re nervous about it.
This covers the main paint finishes you would use on your home. Essentially all quality paint providers will offer all of these finishes of paints. However, a few paint manufacturers may have varying names for their finishes. Be sure to ask your painting contractor or paint manufacturer so you get the finish you want.
Once you choose the colour, know where you want to put it and what finish you are looking for – head over to your paint store and purchase it. In the case that you are unsure or have any questions, we suggest hiring professional painters to ensure you achieve the look you are going for and it lasts long. We would love to help you on your next project! See our contact information below.
For professional painting:
www.larryspainting.ca
(416) 690-3890
sales@larryspainting.ca
