Interior Painting 101: Making Sense of Finishes

Nothing beats a fresh coat of paint for making any room feel fresh and renewed. Even subtle shifts in color can vastly impact the look and feel of your home. Whether you like to use brushes and rollers yourself, or are planning to hire a professional painter, it’s up to you to decide what color is right for you. As you take a trip down to the local home improvement store to pick up some color squares, you might quickly realize- there’s a lot more to this decision than just colors! In fact, there’s another key factor that some homeowners may entirely overlook.

Paint finish, also known as paint sheen, refers to the reflectiveness of the paint. A more reflective paint finish will mean more light reflection. Not only can this impact the look of your space, but it can also be a factor in terms of how durable the paint will be as it ages. Each finish has its own properties, so understand the differences before you decide which is best for you.

• Matte or Flat- These finishes offer no reflective qualities, but do provide a smooth appearance that is effective at hiding surface blemishes like patches or nail holes. They are also easy to touch up. These surfaces are great for low-traffic areas like a bedroom, office, or dining room. They’re also a good choice for ceilings (although there’s a lot more to consider when you’re painting a ceiling!) Matte paints will generally require fewer coats, which can mean less time and money spent to make the space look its best. These surfaces will clean easily with a damp sponge, but be certain to avoid using cleaners- these will eat away at the paint.
• Eggshell- With a slight reflective finish that is low sheen and soft, eggshell finish paints offer more durability against stains and scuffs, making it a good choice for hallways and living rooms.
• Stain- If you’re looking for an elegant and durable look, satin finishes are your go-to. Satin paints work well both indoors and outdoors, as they are tough enough to resist mildew and fading while also being easy to clean. These paints are great for busy areas like a children's playroom or bedroom, and can also be safely used in utilitarian spots like a laundry room or home gym. You can also use them outdoors to help cover trim, shutters, or siding.
• Semi Gloss- Popularly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and on doors, semi gloss paint offers an attractive shiny appearance. Unfortunately, these finishes do show dirt and blemishes and must be cleaned more often. The finish is durable, so it can withstand lots of cleaning.
• High Gloss- Bold and brilliant, high-gloss finishes reflect the most light. They require a lot of maintenance to keep them looking their best, and are the most difficult and time consuming to apply. However, their heavy finish makes them ideal for extremely humid environments like a bathroom, or even outdoors. When combined with their bright, light catching appearance, high gloss paint can provide a big curb appeal boost when applied as an outdoor accent.

While these are the most common finishes, there are a few other considerations you’ll need to make- especially if you plan on doing the painting yourself.

• Mixing Finishes provides an opportunity to fine tune the look of a space. Adding a bit of high gloss paint to a less reflective option can help brighten an area.
• Some paints and primers come as a single product, making it easier to apply an attractive, even coat to your surface. Paints that require a primer, but aren’t used with a primer, will require much more paint and will commonly result in blotchy patterns.
• Primer or primer/paint combo products should be used to help finish and protect surfaces that aren’t drywall or sheet rock.
• Understand the differences between indoor and outdoor paints. While outdoor paints are designed and formulated to be durable, they may contain chemicals you don’t want inside your home!

                Paint can make or break the look and feel of your space. Whether you love bold tones or something more neutral, color shouldn’t be your only consideration. Selecting the right finish can help protect your home and keep it looking its best for years to come- or, at least until you decide its time for another fresh coat of paint!