The Five Types of Paint Finishes and Their Importance

If you want to repaint your home’s interior, you should think about the paint finish before picking a color. That’s because the finish refers to the paint’s texture after it dries and how much light reflects off the wall, which can impact the color and bring out or hide imperfections.

While there are hundreds of paint colors to choose from, there are only five paint finishes, making the selection process a lot less daunting. You’ll need to consider which room you’re repainting to ensure you’re choosing the right finish.

To help make your decision, here are the five types of paint finishes:

• Flat paint

Flat paint is non-reflective and works best in low-traffic areas. While the appearance may be smooth and uniform, it can get scuffed up easily. That’s why you should use it in rooms like an office or primary bedroom. It’s also suitable for covering bumpy areas, like nail holes and pops, and the ceiling.

• Eggshell 

Eggshell is one of the most popular paint finishes and is perfect for rooms that don’t get too much traffic. When used, it provides a soft, smooth finish and is more resistant to stains and scuffs compared to flat paint. Try it in the living room, bedroom, or hallway.

• Satin finishes 

One of the most versatile and popular paint finishes is satin. A satin finish is highly durable and perfect in rooms that get a lot of traffic, like the kitchen, family room, and bathroom. Satin finishes have a subtle glow and reflect more light than eggshell ones. When used, it produces a smooth surface and quality results.

• Semigloss 

If you want a sleek and shiny-looking room, you should choose a semi-gloss finish. These finishes are more reflective than satin and can make a dark room appear brighter when paired with light paint. Use semi-gloss in rooms prone to moisture, like a kitchen or bathroom, and on your trim and doors to make them pop.

• Gloss

The shiniest and most durable paint finish is gloss. Aside from giving off the highest level of light reflection, gloss is stain-resistant, easy to clean, and adds a stunning finish to cabinets, molding, and doors. However, gloss finishes will show any imperfections in the area you’re painting, so you might want to hire a professional painter to complete the job.

Have more questions about paint finishes? Contact us today for your free estimate!