Choosing The Right Paint Finish
You know your color! Time to buy paint, right?
Nope, not yet. You have one more decision to make. Finish.
There used to be a rhyme that helped us to remember “The higher the sheen, the easier it is to clean.”
Now, with advances in paint technology, most paint is durable and easy to clean, so that washing no longer the biggest concern. The more important matter to consider is the surface you are covering. The higher the sheen, the more surface defects will show. Unfortunately, that doesn’t rhyme as well.
Here are the basics of what you will need to understand to make your decision.
FINISH OPTIONS:
Flat – Matte, no shine, great at camouflaging imperfections as it does not reflect light. Commonly used in dining and living areas, great for ceilings.
Eggshell – Named for the very low sheen of the shell of an egg. Less matte with a bit of reflective property, shows fewer fingerprints than matte. This is a popular choice for children’s bedrooms and playrooms.
Satin – Middle of the road. A smooth look that is more glossy than eggshell, less shiny than semi-gloss. Harder to touch up without leaving a noticeable mark. Good choice for window or door trim.
Semi-gloss – Requires careful surface preparation as defects can show. Provides a protective barrier to water or grease. Difficult to touch up. Excellent choice for areas exposed to water and grease. Often used for cabinetry.
High-gloss – Shiniest, most laquer-like finish choice. Careful surface preparation is essential. Highlights all surface imperfections, showing all dents as shadows. Extremely difficult to touch-up without leaving a noticeable mark. Creates a lovely dramatic look for cabinets, trim and furniture.
Still confused? The concept of finish/sheen is well explained in this Benjamin Moore video. While you are there, enjoy browsing our extended product line.
As with all things in the design field, personal preference is going to be the biggest factor in your decision. Come in today and let the paint experts of Goedecke Flooring and Design Center help you choose the perfect product for your project.