The Finish Of Paints Is Just As Important As The Colors You Choose
The finish, or sheen, of your paint can dramatically change the color of the paint you choose. It is important to consider the look, feel, and functionality of the room that you are planning on painting and to understand how the sheen of paint can have an impact. There are many things you should consider when you begin the process of choosing a paint color. We have put together the below guide to help assist you in making the right decision for your home or business.
The Finish Of Paints Is Just As Important As The Colors You Choose
The finish, or sheen, of your paint can dramatically change the color of the paint you choose. It is important to consider the look, feel, and functionality of the room that you are planning on painting and to understand how the sheen of paint can have an impact. There are many things you should consider when you begin the process of choosing a paint color. We have put together the below guide to help assist you in making the right decision for your home or business.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing A Paint And Sheen?
Deciding on a paint finish is easy when you take into consideration the functionality of the room you are planning to paint. You should start by evaluating your space and the type of traffic it gets. How much the room is used and what it is used for can help you decide the level of durability your paint needs to provide. Understanding if the room is susceptible to humidity, grease, or water is also important. Different finishes offer different levels of cleaning ability, moisture control, and other design elements that you may not have thought about. Some paint finishes are not as forgiving to marks or scuffs and cannot be easily wiped away. If the area you are planning to paint is a high-traffic area, or if you have children, you may want to consider sheens that are easy to clean and will wipe away any messes with little to no effort. Considering the natural light, artificial light, and the texture of the walls you are planning to paint can also help determine what is best for your home or business. Different paint will offer different levels of glare or show imperfections more easily. If you are a business looking to paint offices, this is an important thing to consider. Glares are incredibly distracting for employees, especially when they are on online video calls with other coworkers or customers. This small attention to detail can make a huge difference.
Different Finishes Serve Different Functions
Understanding the different finishes of paint that are available to you will help you decide what to choose for the room you are applying it to. Each sheen has a different level of durability and its own unique look. Each sheen also carries unique qualities that can bring different style and functionality to your room. Below is a guide to help you understand the different finishes of paint you can choose from and how they can aid in the functionality of a room.
Flat or Matte
A Flat or Matte paint finish is non-reflective and is very good at hiding imperfections. This type of finish will help create a smooth look and is perfect for low-traffic areas. The most common use of matte paint is on ceilings and on any surface in which you do not want any light glare. This option is less durable and is hard to wipe away scuffs or marks.
Eggshell
A paint with an eggshell finish has a slight sheen that will give your paint a subtle glow. It is slightly more durable than a flat finish and is a great option for walls that are in low to mid-traffic areas. The eggshell finish is washable and provides a good resistance to stains and scuffs. This type of paint is usually used in bedrooms, living spaces, hallways, offices, or basements.
Satin
Satin paint has a smooth, soft sheen that is ideal for most rooms. This finish is very durable and easy to wipe clean. This type of finish is perfect at resisting moisture and great in high-traffic areas. Typically, this finish is used for doors, door casings, windowsills, and general trim. Many people also use this sheen on outdoor grade paint for outdoor trims, shutters, and siding. This type of paint is also known to have a shorter drying and curing time which makes it a great option for projects that need a quick turnaround time.
Pearl
A pearl sheen offers a soft glow effect and has more durability than satin paint. It gives a great polished appearance that is perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. It works well in high-traffic areas since it is very easy to clean and wipe away any scuffs or marks. You typically can’t often find this type of paint in big box stores. It has a very high-end finish and can transform rooms to look sophisticated, while also being practical.
Semi-Gloss
A semi-gloss finish is easier to clean than a satin finish, but it is slightly reflective. This sheen is great for areas that are prone to moisture or are in high-traffic areas. It is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms. Since this finish has a slight gloss, it does have a shiny sheen that does tend to bring out imperfections.
Glossy or High-Gloss
This paint sheen option is the most reflective, the most durable, and the easiest to clean. The gloss this type of paint leaves after drying can create a bold look and will also show imperfections the most compared to your other paint options. This sheen of paint is the most scuff and stain-resistant, and it is great in high-traffic areas. It is also perfect for high-moisture rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens. The gloss will create a barrier between the moisture and your wall which will keep it dry. Typically, a gloss sheen is used on trim, doors, and cabinets. Gloss paints can also be used as a good exterior paint option if you are painting your front door. Gloss will easily wipe away fingerprints, scuffs, and other marks that may appear over time.
Take Into Account Your Style
Aside from functionality and durability, you also want to take into account the style and design of the rooms that you are planning to paint. Depending on what atmosphere, or type of home you have, this may dictate the paint sheen that you will want to choose. For instance, most contemporary or modern-style homes and offices will often use flat and high-gloss paints. More traditional homes and offices often use eggshell or satin paint which helps give it a more classic appeal.
Test Your Paint Before Committing To Painting A Whole Room
We suggest always testing the paint you are considering using before completely committing to it. Applying test swatches in different areas of the room can help you see how the lighting changes the paint throughout the day. Both the natural light from windows and your artificial lighting can affect the color and the reflectiveness of the sheen you are considering. Sampling paint colors and test swatches will help you be 100% sure of your choice and won’t leave you questioning your decision after you have spent time and money on a color you were hoping would work.
Need Help Deciding What Sheen Would Look Best In Your Home Or Business?
If you still find yourself wondering what paint color and sheen you should use in your home, give Prim Painting a call. We are a Columbus, Ohio based painting company who offers a variety of paint services, and we can show you all of the paint options that are available to you. We offer free quotes, and we have the best team that can help guide you in making the best decisions for your paint needs. We will show you the pros and cons that are based on your home and project. Our high attention to detail is what sets us apart from our competitors and we take pride in working with our customers to make sure they love the results. Give us a call today and let us know how we can help. We provide honest and high-quality work that leave all our customers satisfied. Our services range from both residential and commercial projects. We have experience in interior and exterior paint services that will leave any project we work on looking great. Give is a call today and get a free estimate! We are excited to work with you and make your home or business look amazing.