Understanding the 5 Most Common Paint Finishes | Sovereign Construction

Understanding the 5 Most Common Paint Finishes

Walking into the paint supply store to buy paint for your next do-it-yourself home improvement project seems like a simple enough task – especially if you already have a color in mind. Choosing your color, however, is only the beginning. When it comes to selecting paint, the type of paint finish is just as, if not more, important than the color. Armed and knowledgeable about paint finish basics, you’ll be able to select just the right type of paint so that your project ends up looking like it was done by a professional.

To determine the best paint finish, you should first answer these questions: What are you painting – a bathroom or kitchen? A ceiling? An accent wall? How much sheen do you want the walls to have? Does the paint need to be washable? How durable should it be? What look do you want to achieve? Once you have the answers, you can proceed in selecting just the right type of paint finish for your project.

Types of Paint Finish

There are five common types of paint finish: matte/flat, eggshell, satin, semigloss, and high-gloss/gloss. Let’s consider the best uses for each type as well as the pros and cons.

  • Matte/Flat: Matte, or flat, paint is a commonly used type of interior wall paint. This type of paint provides good coverage, but you may want more than a single coat for the best coverage. Matte finish, as its name implies, has little to no shine to it. In terms of durability, this paint is not washable, and you cannot use cleaners on it. For that reason, flat paint is mostly used on walls and ceilings and in low-traffic areas. If the paint gets a mark on it, a simple touch-up takes care of it.
  • Eggshell: The appearance of this type of paint finish is, as its name suggests, similar to the slight sheen of an eggshell. While not entirely smooth, this paint covers imperfections and is more durable than matte finishes and can be easily cleaned. This type of paint works well in areas of low-to-medium traffic, such as a hallway, closet, or living room, and often covers an area with a single coat. Eggshell paint is not, however, recommended in areas where there are children and pets, as these areas tend to get dirtier and you might need to clean and/or touch up these areas more than usual.
  • Satin: Satin paint is another common type of interior wall paint. This finish has a pretty sheen and is quite durable, allowing for you to clean walls covered with this type of paint. Satin paints are an excellent choice for areas of high traffic, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and family rooms. One drawback is that brushstrokes are often visible with this type of paint, which can result in a less-than-perfect touch-up of a marred area.
  • Semi-gloss: Semi-gloss paint, with greater sheen than satin paints, is the perfect paint for several very specific uses: high-traffic rooms that are subject to wear and tear, such as bathrooms and kitchens that require frequent cleaning, and areas where durability is important, such as wall trim. Semi-gloss paint is also known for its resistance to mildew. This paint leaves a shiny, hard finish and, thanks to its durability, can be cleaned easily with just soap and water. Semi-gloss paint provides good coverage with one coat, but it is more likely to show imperfections, especially spackled areas, due to its high shine. For that reason, it is recommended that you first prime spackled areas with a flat paint the same color as the semi-gloss paint.
  • High-gloss/Gloss: Gloss paint, while common as an interior wall paint, gives off a high shine, which makes its use preferred on woodwork such as trim (stair railings, base trim, fireplace mantels), doors, and cabinets. This paint can also be used outside the home, for example, on window shutters. Gloss paints are durable and will take a daily cleaning, but their high shine means they show imperfections and often require a second coat.    

Once you understand the differences between paint finishes, you are left with just picking the color, which can sometimes be the hardest decision of all!

Steve Rush is owner of Sovereign Construction Services, a full-service home construction and remodeling company. He has years of experience and is familiar with all types of paint and paint products. To request a consultation with Steve or learn more about the best type of paint for your home improvement project, visit Steve’s website at www.sovereignconstructionservices.com or call him today at 610-639-2986.