When it comes time to paint your home, picking the right paint is crucial to the feel of the room. Color plays a big part in the feel, but the type of paint is important to functionality and can help or hurt in the future depending on if you chose the right type of paint. Here are the basic types of paint explained to help you figure out which one works best for you.
Flat Paint – The instant benefits of flat paint is the lower cost and more saturated colors. This paint is great for a budget and allows for fixes to it if the paint chips or the wall is damaged. It also absorbs light, so imperfections blend in and are less noticeable. The downsides are the lack of durability as flat painted walls can lose their finish and chip with cleaning or high-traffic. Flat paint is best on ceilings, accent walls, or low-traffic areas. It also works as the least costly paint for bedrooms, as they will see fewer guests.
Eggshell Paint and Satin Paint – There is very little difference in appearance between eggshell and satin paint as eggshell has about 10%-25% gloss and satin has 25%-35% gloss. They both are a nice mix of flat color with a slight sheen from the gloss and can give the walls a subtle glow. Eggshell paint works well in places like bedrooms or living rooms, as well as low-dirt, high-traffic areas like dining rooms. Satin paint should be applied carefully as it shows imperfections easier, but can be used in hallways, guest rooms, trim, kitchens, or other areas that are high-traffic and have a higher chance of getting dirty.
Semi-Gloss and Gloss Paint – These paints are harder to apply as they show most imperfections and cannot be touched up well, but reflect light, resist moisture and damage, and create a sleek, stylish look. Semi-Gloss is better for doors, kitchens, and bathrooms, as well as cabinets. Gloss should be used sparingly, is the easiest to clean, is long-lasting, and should always applied by a professional, but can be used on trim or moldings, and woodwork.
With a better understanding of how each type of paint works best in your house, you can make a better decision on which type to buy. Do you have a painting project which has been on your honey do list way too long? Give us a call.