When it comes to painting the interiors of your home, the choice of paint finish—also known as paint sheen—is just as important as selecting the color. While color adds vibrancy and personality to a space, the finish determines the texture of the painted surface and how easy it is to maintain. Understanding the different types of paint finishes and their best applications can help you select the perfect paint for every room.
Types of Paint Finishes
There are several commonly used paint finishes for interior walls and surfaces. These include:
- Flat finish
- Eggshell finish
- Satin finish
- Semi-gloss finish
- High-gloss finish
- Metal and masonry finish
Each of these finishes has distinct characteristics, advantages, and ideal uses.
Flat Finish for Interiors
Flat, or matte, finishes provide an opaque, non-reflective surface that offers a sophisticated and subtle look. One of its key benefits is its ability to soak up light, which helps hide imperfections like bumps or uneven textures on walls. Flat finishes are highly pigmented and provide excellent coverage.
However, flat finishes are not very durable when it comes to cleaning; scrubbing the surface may remove the paint along with grime. For this reason, flat finishes are best suited for low-traffic areas like interior walls and ceilings. They are generally not recommended for high-moisture or high-use spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens, or children’s bedrooms.
Eggshell Finish
Eggshell finishes offer a low sheen, creating a soft glow on the walls. This finish is more washable than flat paint and does a decent job of covering minor wall imperfections. It is ideal for decorative purposes and for rooms where the walls don’t face heavy wear and tear.
Eggshell finish works well in gathering spaces like dining rooms and living rooms, where some level of durability is needed but a glossy surface is not desired.
Satin Finish
Satin finish is one of the most popular choices for interior paint because it strikes a balance between sheen and durability. It is slightly glossy and washable, making it a good option for woodwork, walls, and doors. Satin finishes are commonly used in bedrooms and dining rooms as well.
One downside is that satin paint can reveal application flaws such as brush or roller marks, so careful painting is required. While washable, satin finishes are not scrubbable. They are suited for family rooms, kids’ bedrooms, and hallways where moderate durability is needed.
Semi-Gloss Finish
Semi-gloss finishes provide a noticeable but subtle shine that reflects light well. These finishes are scrubbable, which means they can withstand more rigorous cleaning without damage. This makes semi-gloss paint perfect for areas prone to moisture, grease, or stains.
Typical applications include doors, windows, kitchens, bathrooms, and molding where durability and ease of maintenance are important.
High-Gloss Finish
High-gloss finishes produce a very shiny, polished surface that is highly stain-resistant and easy to clean. Because of their reflective nature, they can highlight even minor imperfections on walls and may appear too shiny for most interior walls.
High-gloss paint is best suited for surfaces that face heavy wear and tear, such as kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, and trim. The finish allows for easy removal of food stains, fingerprints, and marks, making it a practical choice for high-use areas.
Metal and Masonry Finish
Metal and masonry paints are specialty coatings available in latex or oil-based formulas, designed specifically for tougher surfaces like metal, brick, and concrete. They can come in various sheens but require proper priming to ensure adhesion and durability.
Choosing the Right Paint Finish
When deciding on a paint finish, consider the relationship between sheen, durability, and the room’s function:
- More sheen means more shine and greater durability.
- The order of finishes from least to most shiny: flat → eggshell → satin → semi-gloss → high-gloss.
Recommended Paint Finishes by Room
- Kitchens: High-gloss or semi-gloss to handle moisture and stains.
- Family/Living Rooms: Satin for a balance of sheen and washability.
- Dining Rooms: Eggshell for decorative appeal with some durability.
- Bedrooms: Flat or matte finishes for a soft, subtle look.
Additional Tips
- Dark or vibrant wall colors tend to increase the perceived sheen of the finish. To avoid excessive shine, opt for finishes with lower gloss in darker rooms.
- High-gloss finishes, while durable and shiny, will reveal any imperfections in the wall surface, so surface preparation is crucial.
- Keep in mind that higher-sheen paints typically cost more due to their composition and durability.