The Five Different types of Interior Paint Finishes

When it’s time to tackle that interior paint job you’ve had in mind your first consideration is usually “what color should we choose?” but there is also the question of what paint finish you should choose.

Before you can even make that choice you first need to know what your options are and what the results of your choice are going to look like.

Paint finishes come in five basic types and you can usually get the full range of colors in any finish. What distinguishes each finish is the way it interacts with the light in your room. Finishes tend to basically dictate the amount of reflectivity each paint is going to have once it’s dried.

As we move from lowest to highest reflectivity there is also the issue of how well the finish masks minor flaws in the surface and how easy the finish is to clean if it is subject to marks or scuffs.

Here are your five basic finish choices:

Flat finish (sometimes called a matte finish) – Flat finishes are designed to reflect very little light; they have a very “Dry” look and tend to mask any imperfections in the surface they are applied to. You normally find flat finishes on ceilings (the typical flat white ceiling) where it’s unlikely to ever experience much contact or scuffing. Flat finishes tend to absorb liquid stains even as they mask subtle imperfections in the surface they are applied to. They can be difficult to clean and are best used in areas where they will have minimal contact with normal household traffic.

Eggshell – An eggshell finish has a surface texture that has a very slight sheen to it but is most noted for its slightly “sandy” porous feeling. The irregular finish contrasts with smoother finishes in the way it disperses light. It’s often a good choice for natural finishes and tends to hold up well in higher traffic areas and isn’t that difficult to clean.

Satin – A satin finish has a finer surface than eggshell with a smooth surface. It has a bit more reflectivity than eggshell and works well in rooms where a bit more light is generally needed. It is easy to clean and works well in areas with traffic. You can use it in any interior space from Kitchens to Bedrooms. Satin finishes are less subtle than eggshell but they stop short of being shiny.

Semi-gloss – A semi-gloss finish isn’t exactly a “mirror finish” it’s not intended to be as reflective as the paint on a car but it does have a hard, smooth finish that readily reflects light. It works well on an accent wall, in a kitchen or bathroom, or on details like trim and molding. You can use it on stairs, interior doors, and railings as well. The downside is that it can be scuffed in a way that leaves a flat-looking spot that would require a touchup to fix. It can be a bit trickier to clean than a satin or eggshell finish but it also brings out a lot of light and detail wherever you need it so it’s often worth any tradeoffs.

Gloss – A gloss finish is basically what you would find on solid-colored furniture or a piano, it’s a very shiny, very reflective hard finish that is purpose-built to be bright. Gloss works well on Kitchen cabinets, railings, crown molding, and other architectural details. It’s not normally found on walls but it can be. Recent trends find it employed on dining room walls but even more often on dining room ceilings in colors other than white. It is a fairly unforgiving finish that doesn’t hide much damage and is therefore used sparingly but it can make a dramatic statement out of almost any color. The most important thing to remember when using gloss or high-gloss paint is that the surface preparation must be done at a very high level. Any imperfections in taping, a ripple in your drywall, nail dents, etc. will all be highlighted by gloss finishes.

So, as you get ready with your own painting project remember that mixing and matching colors should be done in concert with mixing and matching finishes to achieve the exact look you want for your interior spaces.

When you’re ready to get started with your interior painting project why not schedule a free meeting with one of the professional color consultants from CertaPro of Ann Arbor they will be glad to help you plan, choose colors and finishes, and get you the transformation you want for your interior without having to become a complete painting expert yourself.