Interior Paint Finishes |
Flat or Matte Interior Paint Finish
Matte finishes (also known as flat) are the least glossy of all finishes. They have a porous and non-reflective surface. Matte paint finishes are smooth and dull in appearance and they possess a consistent color profile making them good at covering existing colors, hiding surface imperfections, and hiding imperfections in application (such as brush strokes). Flat (or matte) paint absorbs light and is great for covering up and hiding defects on walls and making rooms appear larger. Flat paint finish is easy on the eyes since it does not reflect light. Their porous surface makes them susceptible to stains, scuff marks, and moisture damage. Their delicacy also means they do not hold up well to scrubbing or cleaning products.
When to use Flat or Matte Paint Finishes :
Matte paint finishes are most commonly used on ceilings, walls in low traffic
rooms, and to cover surface imperfections. It is often used for formal rooms and
elegant settings. This finish is ideal for the family room, living room, dining
room, bedroom, hallways, ceiling, and the home office as well as many other
living spaces.
When not to use a Flat or Matte Paint Finish :
Never use Matte or Flat paint finishes in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms,
kid’s rooms, high traffic areas, or on wood trim around doors and windows (base
boards, shoe molding, chair molding, crown molding, door casing, etc.).
Eggshell or Pearl Interior Paint Finish
Eggshell or Pearl paint finish gives a surface the appearance of an eggshell, with more shine than flat paint and greater resistance to cleaning. Probably the most widely used finish; Eggshell finishes have just a touch of sheen making them more durable and resistant to scrubbing than Matte finishes. Their slightly glossy appearance also adds a sense of depth and warmth to surfaces. This paint is also recommended for high-traffic areas. Ideal for the family room, living room, dining room, bedroom, kids’ room, kitchen and bath, and office.
When to use an Eggshell or Pearl Interior Paint Finish :
Both Eggshell and the slightly glossier Satin finish (discussed next) are
considered well rounded finishes offering durability without excessive sheen.
Because of this Eggshell is appropriate on virtually all interior walls,
although particularly high traffic areas which require more frequent and
vigorous scrubbing such as the bathroom, kitchen, trim, or kid’s room often make
use of the glossier Satin or even Semi-gloss finishes
When not to use an Eggshell or Pearl Interior Paint Finish :
Consider using a glossier finish for high traffic areas or areas that will be
subjected to frequent or vigorous cleaning..
Velvet or Satin Interior Paint Finish
Satin or Velvet paint finish has the lowest level of shine and also works well to hide defects. They are widely used because of their durability and moderate glossy appearance. Satin finish has a washable surface and is good for cleaning dirt or stains from heavy traffic. Satin tends to be glossier and more durable than Eggshell, but when comparing different brands you may find that the Eggshell of one brand offers virtually the same gloss as the Satin from another.
When to use a Velvet or Satin Interior Paint Finish :
Satin finishes are typically used in bathrooms, kitchens, kid’s rooms, and on
trim.
When not to use a Velvet or Satin Interior Paint Finish :
Like Eggshell, Satin is appropriate for most applications; however, some may
prefer the less glossy Eggshell for interior walls, or the glossier Semi-Gloss
for high traffic areas or trim.
Semi-Gloss Interior Paint Finish
Semi-gloss interior paint finishes offer, you guessed it, even more durability and more gloss than Matte, Eggshell, and Satin finishes. These finishes provide a medium to a high level of shine for interiors, making rooms feel smaller and in turn more welcoming with the increased shine. Semi-gloss is a durable finish for heavy cleaning. Semi-gloss is generally considered to be too glossy for general application and is reserved for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, doors and windows, shutters, molding, utility areas, and all of the woodwork and trim, as well as other high traffic areas.
When to use a Semi-Gloss
Interior Paint Finish :
Semi-gloss paint interior paint finishes are applied almost exclusively to
bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, doors and windows, shutters, molding,
utility areas, and all of the woodwork and trim or other areas which have heavy
traffic, exposure to moisture, or might require frequent and vigorous cleaning.
When not to use a Semi-Gloss
Interior Paint Finish :
Semi-gloss is generally considered too glossy for use outside of the bathroom
and kitchen; too much gloss reveals surface imperfections and can give walls an
inconsistent color appearance.
Glossy Interior Paint Finish
Glossy interior paint finishes is the least used of all finishes, used so rarely in interior painting that many brands do not even carry an interior gloss finish paint. Extremely durable and stain resistant, gloss paints will dry to an almost laminated look.
When to use a Glossy Interior Paint Finish :
It is sometimes used for artistic embellishment on cabinets or trim.
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Exterior Paint Finishes
Flat or Matte Exterior Paint Finish
Flat (or matte) paint finish absorbs the light as opposed to reflecting it, therefore it is good for covering up and hiding defects on walls. This finish is great for main bodies such as stucco, masonry, brick walls, wood siding, aluminum and vinyl siding. Flat (or matte) paint finish is recommended for painting accents, trims and accessories such as soffit, fascia and eaves, wood fences, and garage doors as well as gutters.
When to use a Flat or Matte Exterior Paint Finish :
Flat/Matte exterior finish is great for main bodies such as stucco,
masonry, brick walls, wood siding, aluminum and vinyl siding. It is also
used for painting accents, trims and accessories such as soffit, fascia and
eaves, wood fences, and garage doors as well as gutters.
Velvet or Satin Exterior Paint Finish
Velvet or Satin paint finishes have similar uses as that of the flat or matte paint finishes. Velvet paint has the lowest level of shine and it also works very well to cover up and hide defects. Velvet paint finish is also known as a satin finish. Velvet or Satin paint finish has a washable surface which is good for cleaning dirt or stains. It is ideal for main bodies such as stucco, masonry, brick walls, wood siding, aluminum and vinyl siding. Recommended for painting accents, trims and accessories such as soffit, fascia and eaves, wood fences, garage doors and gutters.
When to use a Velvet or Satin Exterior Paint Finish :
Use Velvet or Satin paint finishes for main bodies such as stucco,
masonry, brick walls, wood siding, aluminum and vinyl siding.
Eggshell or Pearl Exterior Paint Finish
Eggshell or Pearl paint finishes give a surface the appearance of an eggshell, they have more shine than flat paint and they have a greater resistance to cleaning. These finishes are ideal for the main bodies such as stucco, masonry, brick walls, wood siding, aluminum and vinyl siding. These finishes are recommended for painting accents, trim and accessories such as doors and windows, soffit, fascia and eaves, shutters, garage doors, gutters and metal gates.
When to use a Eggshell or Pearl Exterior Paint Finish :
Use Eggshell or Pearl paint finishes for main bodies such as stucco,
masonry, brick walls, wood siding, aluminum and vinyl siding.
Low Sheen Paint Exterior Finish
Low sheen paint finishes are similar to eggshell paint, but with moore shine. They are ideal for accents, trim and accessories such as doors and windows, soffit, fascia and eaves, shutters, garage doors, gutters, and metal gates.
When to use a Low sheen Exterior Paint Finish :
Low sheen finish is ideal for accents, trim and accessories such as doors and
windows, soffit, fascia and eaves, shutters, garage doors, gutters, and metal
gates.
Semi-Gloss Paint Exterior Finish
Semi-gloss paint finishes provide a medium to high level of shine. It has similar uses as those for low sheen paint finishes. They are ideal for accents, trim and accessories such as doors and windows, soffit, fascia and eaves, shutters, garage doors, gutters, and metal gates.
When to use a Semi-Gloss Exterior Paint Finish :
Semi-Gloss exterior finish is great for ideal for accents, trim and accessories
such as doors and windows, soffit, fascia and eaves, shutters, garage doors,
gutters, and metal gates.
Gloss Paint Exterior Finish
Gloss paint finishes are best when used to highlight details and it is very easy to clean. Gloss paint finishes have similar uses as those for low sheen and semi-gloss paint finishes. These finishes are ideal for accents, trim and accessories such as doors and windows, soffit, fascia and eaves, shutters, garage doors, gutters, and metal gates.
When to use a Gloss Exterior Paint Finish :
Gloss exterior finish is great for accents, trim and accessories such as doors
and windows, soffit, fascia and eaves, shutters, garage doors, gutters, and
metal gates.