If you’re someone who’s thinking of painting their house for the first time, the job might seem like an exciting one. So many colors, so many possibilities! However, painting your room can be a tedious job when you come to discover the various kinds of wall paints to choose from. A change in textures can transform the look and feel of a room entirely. To make it easier for you, here’s our take on the different types of paint finishes.
Before we start, the first step is to choose a color scheme. Secondly, it’s good to understand that there are typically two types of paint. Oil-based paint is popular for its high durability and flexibility; meaning, it can be used on almost any surface. However, it’s more useful if you use it on high-moisture areas such as in a bathroom or kitchen. Oil-based paint comes with an attractive gloss and a rich finish and because of these, they are good for hiding wall fixes that you’d rather have tucked away.
Water-based paint on the other hand is not as durable as Oil-based but they are definitely easier to use. This type of paint does not need any pre-treatment, has low levels of toxic emissions, dries easily and remains stable over time. If you want to use water-based paint on a surface that would normally need an oil-based finish, nowadays more companies are making water-based paint that looks and behaves like oil-based paint that comes with smooth interior paint finishes.
Matte
Matte finishings are popular for having the most pigment and the highest coverage. There’s no shine or sheen to this kind of paint. This makes it a suitable option for common interior wall paints. Matte wall paints are great for covering wall imperfections but you might need more than a single coat to create a good, solid color. However, one of the downsides of a matte finish is that it needs retouching once in a while which makes it a rather expensive choice.
High Gloss
High gloss is perfect for highlighting specific areas in your home. It is best to apply it in corners or wood surfaces because of its high shine. High gloss wall paints tend to reflect light. However, one of its disadvantages is that it takes quite a while to dry up. Glossy paints are best for low-traffic areas such as the living room.
Semi Gloss
Semi gloss offers a hard finish. Hence, it’s best if you use on trims and corners rather than an entire wall. Semi gloss paints is an exceptional choice when you want to make a statement since they have the most reflective sheen. Therefore, they look great on window trims, doors and accent walls. It’s all about how you want to set the atmosphere of a room. For instance, a matte finishing gives a room more of a feeling of serenity. However, a semi glossy wall has textural elements that can instantly induce excitement and make a room appear glamorous.
Satin
The finish of this paint is somewhere between matte and gloss, which creates the perfect, soft and low sheen for a wall. This makes it the best choice for your walls where you need to clean on a regular basis. However, you should refrain from using these types of paint finishes on walls where you want to hide imperfections since the finishing might end up making them more apparent.
Eggshell
Eggshell is one of the best among the types of paint finishes because it has a smooth finishing with an extremely subtle sheen over it. This makes its durability higher than any other kind of interior paint finishes. Since it’s only slightly shiny, it is great for hiding visual imperfections. Plus, its finishing gives great coverage with just a single coat! Eggshell is a great option for the demanding areas of a house such as bathrooms and kitchens, where regular cleaning is necessary.
What did you think of our list of types of paint finishes? Let us know in the comment section below!
