by Heather Shoning
Different sheens and materials can make choosing the right paint for your project a challenge
Consider hiring a professional for quick project completion and less disruption to your home. A professional painter will have the know-how to pick the perfect paint for your home project, but if you’re DIYing it, the numerous paint options might be perplexing. Making the right choice can make all the difference in the outcome. From the perfect walls to creative cabinetry to contrasting millwork, choosing the right paint finish and type (latex, oil, acrylic) is as important as selecting the color, as it affects the look and functionality of the painted surface. Here’s a breakdown of standard paint finishes and their ideal applications:
Flat or Matte Finish
Matte finish paint has no sheen and provides a smooth, even appearance. It’s excellent for hiding surface imperfections like cracks or dents and is ideal for ceilings and low-traffic areas such as bedrooms or living rooms. However, matte is less durable and more challenging to clean, so it’s best not to use it in high-traffic or moisture-prone areas.
Eggshell Finish
Eggshell has a slight sheen, offering a balance between a matte look and some light reflectivity. It’s more durable and easier to clean than flat paint, making it great for dining rooms, living rooms and hallways, but it’s not the best option for high-touch areas such as kitchens or bathrooms.
Satin Finish
Satin provides a soft, pearly sheen. It’s more moisture-resistant and durable, making it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic areas like kids’ rooms. It’s also easy to clean, which adds to its practicality.
Semi-Gloss Finish
Semi-gloss has a noticeable shine and reflects light, giving surfaces a sleek appearance. It’s highly durable and moisture-resistant, so it’s an excellent selection for trim, doors, cabinetry and bathrooms. The shiny surface is also easy to clean, though it can highlight imperfections.
Gloss and High-Gloss Finish
High-gloss paint provides a mirror-like shine and is the most durable of all finishes. It’s ideal for furniture, trim and areas that require frequent cleaning, such as kitchen cabinetry. However, it is the most reflective and can emphasize flaws on uneven surfaces. If you opt to paint these areas with a high-gloss finish, plan for proper prep work—sanding, sanding, sanding—for a perfect finish.
Relatively speaking, the higher the sheen, the more likely you need an oil-based paint. Oil-based paint is the traditional choice for cabinetry and furniture because of its hard, durable finish and professional look. However, with this optimal selection comes longer drying time, higher VOCs (so adequate ventilation is required), and the paint requires solvents for cleaning brushes and other painting supplies. Water-based paints have improved significantly in recent years to offer better durability but still can’t match oil-based for certain high-traffic uses. However, they off-gas less and offer much easier soap-and-water cleanup. Also, for many projects, water-based enamel or hybrid paints—a combination of oil- and water-based— can strike a balance between durability, ease of use and environmental considerations. Finally, don’t skimp on your tools—high-quality brushes and rollers are a must.
