Choosing the Best Interior Paint Finish for a Job: Building Moxie
Choosing the Best Interior Paint Finish for a Job :: Jennifer D’Angelo
The last time you painted a room, I can pretty much guarantee that
you spent a lot of time and energy trying to decide on the color.Should it be something subtle like a tan or an off-white? Or more
dynamic like red, green, or purple? And then … after you pick the basic
color, which one of the 30 or so different shades fits best with what
you want.
Now think about the paint finish.
I’m betting that decision was made on the fly. Either you didn’t think
about it at all, or your decision was made based on the offhand advice
of the clerk at wherever you purchased your paint.

via lifeofanarchitect.com
But your choice of finishes (aka sheen) is incredibly important. It
will determine things like whether the color stands out or fades into
the background, and if you have to repaint every time it gets too dirty
and/or even if you can wash it.
Learning a little bit about each of the different kinds of paint
finishes can help you make an informed decision when buying paint and
can even help you avoid more work down the line.
-Matte or Flat –
Got a few small cracks, bumps, or other unsightly features on your
walls? Well, matte or flat might be the way to go. Because it doesn’t
reflect light like glossier paints, it’s easier to hide imperfections.
What’s the negative? It’s not known for washability. If you get
scratches or other marks on your walls, you might be forced to cover
them with more paint.
-Eggshell - A
very slight step from matte finish, in both shine and washability, this
finish tends to hold up better than matte but not hide imperfections as
well. People sometimes use it when they want to give their room or
furniture a more rustic quality. The name? Well, that comes from the
fact that it has the textural appearance of an egg, of course.
-Satin – If
eggshell doesn’t quite hold up as well as you’d like, the next step up
in shine is a satin finish. Got a room that sees a lot of traffic and
wear and tear like, say, your kid’s bedroom? The velvety smooth look of a
satin finish can be cleaned repeatedly without harming the paint, but
it’s not as shiny and reflective as other glossier paints.
-Semi-Gloss –
Generally speaking, semi-gloss is the vanilla of finishes – and I don’t
mean that in a bad way. Typically recommended for kitchens, bathrooms,
doors, and trim, it gives off a great shine without overdoing it.
Semi-gloss will also hold up to moisture (hence its use in the kitchen
and bathroom) and can be easily wiped clean. The only thing you need to
worry about is making sure the areas you’re going to use it on are
smooth and well-prepared. If you leave imperfections, the shine of
semi-gloss will only highlight them.
-Read More On BuildingMoxie! Tips For Choosing The Best Paint Finish
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