A paint finish is the amount of light that a paint reflects from its surface. It is an important element of house painting in San Ramon because it impacts how the color looks and how durable your paint job is. That is why choosing the correct finish is as essential as choosing the right color.
Common paint finishes are flat (or matte), eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss (or glossy). They have different degrees of sheen and durability, so picking the right one for your application is important.
There are go-to guides when choosing a finish. For example, eggshell finish should be for walls, semi-gloss for doors and woodwork, and flat for ceilings. However, the choice is up to you and the look you’re after.
In this article, we’re putting up the definition of each paint finish and the suggested applications for each.
Flat (or matte)
A flat or matte paint finish is the dullest and least reflective of all the finishes. When the paint dries, it forms a porous surface and a chalky texture.
Flat paints are also the least durable and don’t stand up to wiping, scrubbing, and washing, as well as the other paint finishes do. That’s why they are best recommended for low-traffic areas like ceilings.
That said, flat paints are very popular. They are actually quite versatile as they are commonly used in bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, etc. Flat paints are the best choice for hiding surface imperfections.
Several paint manufacturers offer flat or matte paint finishes that are specifically formulated to be more durable. Flat enamel is a variation of a flat finish. It can withstand occasional cleaning, so flat enamel is recommended for areas such as powder rooms, nursery rooms, and entryways. But again, flat paints are generally recommended for low-traffic areas.
One of the great things about flat or matte paints is that they can create a calm and cozy atmosphere without the distracting sheen that glossy paints offer. If you live in an older home, choose a flat paint finish that can help make the walls and ceilings appear smoother.
Flat paints are generally good for:
- Ceilings
- Any surface with many scratches, dents, cracks, holes, etc.
- Low-traffic walls (such as bedroom walls)
Eggshell
Most professional and DIY painters recommend an eggshell finish for walls. This type of finish has the perfect combination of beauty and durability and is commonly used throughout homes.
The eggshell finish gives off a slight sheen. Compared to flat or matte, eggshell is durable and can stand up to cleaning and washing. Eggshell can also resist staining and scuffing, making it great for homes with kids and pets.
Eggshell paints are generally good for:
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Living rooms
- Hallways
- Home offices
- Study rooms
- Finished basements
- Nursery rooms
- Ceilings
Satin
Despite the name, a satin paint finish gives off a velvety sheen. It has a higher gloss and durability than eggshell. Satin is a popular choice for many spaces in a home, so it works well for most interior spaces. Being highly washable and scrubbable, satin is ideal for high-traffic areas with frequent exposure to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
But like other finishes on the glossy side, satin cannot be relied upon to hide surface imperfections. Cracks, holes, and poorly patched areas show through a coat of satin paint. This is why a good and proper surface preparation is required before applying satin paints.
Satin paints are generally ideal for:
- Doors
- Door casings
- Door and window trim
- Crown molding
- Baseboards
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Laundry rooms
- Hallways
- Children’s playrooms
- Hallways
- Home offices
- Garages
- Finished basements
- Woodwork
Semi-gloss
Situated between satin and high gloss, a semi-gloss paint finish has more sheen and greater durability than flat, eggshell, and satin. However, it tends to reveal surface imperfections that other glossy paints do, so clean and prep your walls properly before applying this paint finish.
The reflective quality of semi-gloss helps cramped and dark rooms feel bigger and brighter without distracting the eye as a high gloss paint finish does.
Semi-gloss is a popular choice for surfaces that tend to take a lot of beating and moisture. They can resist moisture, oil, grease, and grime, making them easy to wash, scrub, and clean.
Semi-gloss paints are perfect for:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Laundry rooms
- Garages
- Finished basements
- Storage areas
- Hallways
- Railings
- Trim
- Doors
- Cabinets
- Banisters
- Woodwork
High gloss or glossy
This finish gives off the greatest degree of sheen and durability. The highly reflective quality of high gloss paints resembles that of enamel or plastic. High gloss can repel all external elements – moisture, stains, scuff marks, oil, grease, and frequent cleaning and scrubbing.
However, high gloss is not ideal for hiding surface flaws. This type of paint finish is also very difficult to apply, so brush marks, lap marks, and streaks are tricky to avoid. If you want a sleek and shiny effect on your surfaces, careful preparation is crucial to achieve a smooth, shiny, and flawless finish.
Due to their high amount of sheen, high gloss paints are rarely used on all four walls. Its mirror-like appearance is too much of a distraction. When it is hit by natural light, it can give off an excessive glare that can hurt the eye. That’s why high gloss paints are preferred for accent walls.
However, some designers use high gloss paints on all four walls, and even the ceiling, to add a bold and dramatic effect. High gloss paints can work well for areas lacking natural lighting, as their high sheen can make them appear brighter and larger.
High gloss paints can also be used to draw attention to areas that are otherwise normally ignored or neglected.
High gloss is ideal for the following areas and surfaces (same as semi-gloss):
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Laundry rooms
- Garages
- Finished basements
- Storage areas
- Hallways
- Railings
- Trim
- Doors
- Cabinets
- Furniture
- Banisters
- Woodwork
Here are some things to consider while choosing a paint finish. These are all suggested applications; however, you may also choose your preferred finish.
- The best finish for interior walls – Water-based latex in eggshell or satin finish.
- The most versatile paint finishes – Eggshell, satin, and flat.
- The best finish for ceilings – Flat or semigloss.
- The best finish for bathrooms – Semigloss or high gloss.
- The best finish for doors and trim – Semigloss.
- The best finish for cabinets – Semigloss or high gloss.
Does a paint finish really change its color?
The paint finish does change the color, but the difference is only subtle. Semi-gloss and high gloss paints tend to make the colors look more vibrant and saturated compared to flat, which softens the colors a bit. Satin, on the other hand, gives off a smooth and gentle glow to colors. Satin paints have more sheen than eggshell paints and can make the colors look brighter.
Experts suggest testing samples of the paint on an inconspicuous section of the wall and how it will look under various lighting conditions. This will help you determine which paint finish works best for you.
Choosing a paint finish for your home is only your first step. Color selection, materials selection, cleaning, and repairs are the other few things you’ll need to do before applying the first coat of paint. If you would want to leave the job to professionals, Custom Painting, Inc. is a locally owned painting company specializing in residential painting. Our skilled, licensed, and fully insured paint crew can handle any house painting in San Ramon project! Contact us at 925-294-8062 for a free consultation or free quote.
