Halls Quality Painting

A paint’s finish, also known as its sheen, is a measure of how reflective the paint is. A coating with a higher sheen will reflect a lot of light, and a coating with a lower sheen will absorb most of the light that hits it. The type of finish you choose for your home painting project is almost as important as the color when it comes to the final result of the job. The exact same shade can look completely different with a flat finish compared to a high-gloss finish, so you should be careful when selecting the sheen for your paint.

Some finishes tend to be better for certain areas of a home or for certain types of surfaces. Knowing the qualities of each option will help you make an informed decision. Here are the main types of paint finishes you and your painting contractor can choose from for your Fernandina Beach FL home:

Flat

Flat finish is the least reflective paint available. It consists of 0 to 5 percent sheen, which means it absorbs almost all of the light it encounters. While it isn’t as visually striking as high-gloss paint, it applies to the wall very consistently and does a great job of hiding imperfections in the surface. If the walls you’re painting have a lot of chips or cracks, you could use a flat finish to save time and money on repairing the flaws. The biggest downside to a flat paint, though, is that it can be difficult to wash without the coating smudging or fading away.

Matte

Matte finishes are slightly more reflective than flat paints. They have 5 to 10 percent sheen, so they reflect a small amount of light while absorbing the rest. You must be careful when cleaning matte surfaces, too, as scrubbing aggressively could cause the paint to wear away. Matte paint is best suited to low-traffic areas, like bedrooms or home offices.

Eggshell

Eggshell coatings have a 10 to 25 percent sheen. They’re similar to matte finishes, but they have slightly more polish. For many spaces, eggshell can offer a great balance of coverage and shine. The finish is easier to keep clean than lower-gloss paints, but it still provides fairly consistent coverage.

Satin

Satin paints offer a 25 to 35 percent sheen, so they’re somewhat shiny and reflective. They’re easy to clean, and they’re fairly durable compared to lower-gloss options. However, once you reach 25 percent sheen, imperfections in the walls start to become more noticeable. Satin paint may not cover up all the cracks or chips in the walls, which isn’t ideal for some homeowners.

Semi-gloss

Semi-gloss paint is quite reflective at 35 to 75 percent sheen. If you love the look of shiny paints and vivid colors, a semi-gloss coating may suit you well. This finish can add great depth to any room. It also is easy to clean, so it’s an excellent option for kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas of your home. Unfortunately, though, semi-gloss paint does little to cover up flaws in the walls. You may have to do some extra work repairing chips or cracks in the surface before you paint with a semi-gloss coating.

High-gloss

High-gloss paint is long-lasting and easy to clean. It has the highest percentage of sheen, so it’s very bright and reflective. However, it may be too shiny to coat an entire room. High-gloss finishes work better on trim or on high-touch surfaces, like cupboards or door frames. You can wipe down a high-gloss coating time and time again without wearing away the paint. Expect imperfections to show through the finish, though.

While finishes with a lower sheen are better for hiding imperfections, glossy paints are easier to keep clean and can be more visually striking. The best option for your project depends on the area you’re painting as well as your personal preferences. Some homeowners value flat and matte paints because they apply more consistently, and others like coatings with a higher sheen because cleaning them is simpler. What’s most important is that you make an informed decision on the matter. Consider the aesthetic you want to achieve for the room you’re painting as well as the amount of dirt or moisture that could accumulate in the space. If you have any questions or concerns about which finish is best, you can consult with a painting expert. Halls Quality Painting provides residential interior painting services in Fernandina Beach FL. Our painting contractors are reliable, professional, and knowledgeable in a wide variety of styles. We pride ourselves on completing every job on time and on budget but with great care and attention to detail. To schedule your project or to get an interior painting estimate, you can call us today.