There are many different types of interior paint finishes, all of which essentially refer to the final paint finish's reaction to light. Different manufacturers of paint sell paint in any combination of finishes, though generally not all of them. The following descriptions of interior paint finishes refer to interior latex paints.
Flat and matte paint finishes have no real sheen when the paint has dried. Rather than reflect light, flat and matte paint finishes absorb it. Both paint finishes are good for hiding small surface imperfections and imperfections in application, such as brush or roller marks. Flat and matte finishes are good choices for interior walls in rooms that receive little traffic or for painting ceilings. Both paint finishes are generally poor choices for kitchens, baths, and kids' rooms because they do not wash as well as other paint finishes.
An eggshell paint finish is similar to a matte finish but has a tiny amount of sheen to it when dried. It is a good choice for interior walls and washes slightly better than flat wall paint. Eggshell paint finishes are sometimes interchangeable with matte paint finishes in certain brands of paint.
A satin paint finish is often the glossiest paint finish a decorator will recommend for any room save the kitchen and bath. It is not a high-gloss finish, but does have a smooth, velvety shine to it when dried. Satin paint finishes do not hide imperfections in surfaces or application as well as the aforementioned finishes, but they are forgiving enough for novice painters to use. A satin paint finish will reflect more light than eggshell and is a great choice for kids' rooms and trim as it stands up well to washing.
Semi-gloss and high-gloss paint finishes are at the other end of the spectrum and reflect the most light of any paint finish when dried. Semi-gloss is a great choice for kitchens and baths as the finish can stand up to water and frequent cleaning better than other finishes. Many people also choose to paint trim with semi-gloss paint for the same reasons. High-gloss paints are not generally popular choices for walls, but many people choose gloss paint for painting furniture, especially for a modern look or durable paint finish.
Choosing the right interior paint finish is mostly a matter of personal preference; just remember that the higher the sheen, the more durable the paint is in the face of frequent traffic and washing. Keeping in mind the use of the room you are painting will help you to select the right interior paint finish. It's choosing the right color that's the hard part!
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anon302010
Post 9 |
What is costura paint finish? |
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anon287184
Post 8 |
What are the uses for the different types of finishes? |
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anon102815
Post 6 |
I'm going to paint my room black. I was thinking of painting the ceiling black as well, to try and give it a more spacious feel. Do you think this will work? |
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anon79775
Post 5 |
I`m painting over panel in my small bathroom. Would you, just paint it, sponge it or what? Remember it's small. |
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anon50051
Post 4 |
Faux finishes are going out of style, aren't they? |
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anon37712
Post 3 |
If I get a bid to "faux" paint a room what should I expect to get in number of coats? on an average bedroom of 12X12 how many hours would that take to faux the walls? The ceiling is off white and no faux. |
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solomonh
Post 2 |
There are also many types of faux finishes that are good for interior decor. Sponging and ragging or ragrolling involve applying a base coat of paint, then another color or a glaze, either applying it with a sponge or a rag or taking it off a little at a time with the sponge or the rag.
Combing, antiquing, woodgraining, and tortoiseshelling are other faux finishes that provide a unique effect in a room. These are all really fun to perform and make a room look unique. |
