Do you intend to renovate your place and are uncertain about the best paint finish to use for your project? You might be searching for a finish that will last long, or you may want to choose one that will enhance the character of your space.
Selecting the paint color may seem like the most crucial step in determining the overall design of the space, but choosing an appropriate finish is also significant. The level of sheen or gloss upon drying affects the durability of a paint, its capacity to conceal flaws, and how the color appears to the sight. Wallpaper Fixing has got the perfect guide for you to decide on ideal paint finishes for your needs.
An Overview Of Different Paint Finish Types
To extend the life of your paint, it is important to know what all wall painting services Dubai offer, even if you have already chosen the ideal hue for a room in your house.
Matte Or Flat Paint
The most common option for painting interior walls is flat paint finishes, sometimes referred to as matte finishes, which offer a consistent, smooth appearance. They are great choices for older walls and ceilings with flaws you need to conceal, such as dents, patches, and nail holes. Their name comes from the fact that they are completely devoid of shine. These paints can be easily applied using a roller or brush.
The ease of marking up flat finishes is one drawback associated with them. While you can get rid of such stains through wiping with a damp cloth, you will need to refinish walls having a matte finish regularly.
Where Is It Better to Use Matte or Flat Paint?
Because flat wall finishes are the hardest to maintain, you might want to avoid them if you have kids or pets. But since this paint sheen’s inherent property is to absorb light; it doesn’t reflect anything. You can conceal wall defects with the help of this feature. Also, this finish is the most cost-effective option for covering vast areas of the house because it needs less effort to apply due to higher pigment content.
Matte finish paint is one of the most economical painting ideas to achieve the ideal look for your house if you don’t want a costly paint job. Flat finishes are most effective in formal settings, such as:
- Dining Room
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Ceilings
- Any location where you do not have to worry about the paint getting damaged
Although external flat treatments were widely used earlier, this is no longer the case. That’s because a flat finish paint is prone to fading and mildew problems. You don’t have to fully rule out flat paint, but if you are like most consumers, you will likely want a paint finish that is more glossy and durable.
Eggshell Finish
The eggshell finish gives wall surfaces a smooth, clean look that appears fantastic in living rooms, corridors, and family rooms. It gets its name from the distinctive texture it imparts to a surface, which, depending on the light and certain viewing angles, resembles an eggshell.
Eggshell finishes lack the smoothness of satin finishes and have a very slight sheen. As a result, it is a good finish option for interior walls because it doesn’t highlight flaws as much as satin. Compared to a surface with a flat finish, it is also easier to clean and more resilient.
Where Can Eggshell Paint Be Used?
Similar to a flat finish, eggshell texture paint works well in places that do not get much traffic and are not prone to filth. Besides, eggshell paint is more difficult to clean if you have kids or pets. Also, take into account the texture of your walls if you intend to use an eggshell finish.
It coats surfaces so effectively that, after being applied, no brush strokes, spray marks, or roller edges are visible. An eggshell finish is a good option if you plan to repaint your home’s siding and want a finish that conceals minor flaws and has minimal reflection. It works well for delicately highlighting trim elements as well.
The eggshell paint finish is ideal for:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Family Rooms
- Hallways
Eggshell paint is suitable for a wide range of exterior siding materials, such as stucco, horizontal wood, and others. It is the most popular exterior paint finish for residential settings. It is also good at hiding little flaws under the coating and is simple to clean with power washing. Additionally, this finish protects walls from snow, rain, and weather variations throughout the year.
Satin Finish
Another great finish choice for both indoor and outdoor uses is satin, which gives the wall surface a gentle, low sheen. It is a wonderful option for surfaces you’ll need to clean frequently because it only requires a light scrubbing or wiping and also resists mildew well. Satin paint, however, should not be applied to surfaces with many flaws because it will make them stand out more, as is the case with glossier finishes.
Where Can Satin Finish Paint Be Used?
Satin can be applied in many places throughout the house because it is glossier and more durable than matte and eggshell finishes. Compared to its less-reflecting rivals, it is also simpler to clean. Because of its greater endurance, it may even be used outside and is perfect for busy rooms too. Do take into account the space where the satin paint will be applied. Satin does not conceal flaws and may reveal an uneven application, in contrast to eggshell or matte paints.
Similar to eggshell finishes, satin finishes are effective in high-traffic areas such as family rooms, corridors, living rooms, and bedrooms. It is also more durable than an eggshell finish.
- Kitchens
- Basements
- Bedrooms for kids
- Dining Rooms
- Bathrooms
- If the satin finish is strong enough, trim
Regarding exterior areas, a satin finish has a better level of UV protection, making it an excellent option for homes in sunny locations. Due to its resistance to mildew, it is also beneficial in humid regions. A satin finish tends to draw attention to dings, dents, ridges, and cratering in older wood siding and trim, so it’s best for areas that you use or touch frequently. This is to say that it works best on siding that is either brand-new or in good shape. Additionally, satin finishes work well in places like:
- Window Sills
- Porch Ceilings
- Trim Boards
- Door Frames
- Soffits
- Eaves
Semi-Gloss Or Low-Gloss Finish
Semi-gloss finishes are less glossy than high-gloss but more lustrous than satin. Semi-gloss finishes are renowned to brighten spaces and give walls a dazzling appearance, much like high-gloss finishes. They work particularly well to enliven off-whites and lighter light hues. Semi-gloss paint typically covers wall surfaces well with only one layer, which is one advantage it has over high-gloss paint.
Where Is Low-Gloss Paint Appropriate?
If you are struggling to decide whether low-gloss paint is the correct choice for you, think about the purpose of the room and the texture of the walls. High-traffic parts of the house are the perfect fit for low-gloss coatings because they are quite durable. Additionally, they offer superior stain and damage resistance.
Semi-gloss finish is considered ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and other humid areas because it is moisture resistant. Surfaces with a semi-gloss finish are easier to clean than those with other finishes because all you need to do is wipe or gently scrub them.
The following interior spaces typically benefit from semi-gloss finishes:
- Windows
- Doors
- Trims
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Kids’ Rooms
The following external features work best with semi-gloss finishes:
- Garage Doors
- Front Doors
- Window Sills
- Trim
- Lamp Posts
- Railings
- Shutters
- Gutters
High-Gloss Finish
High-gloss finishes are frequently chosen for accents because they offer the highest level of reflection. Because of its sheen, many homeowners prefer it for woodwork in addition to walls. However, keep in mind that high-gloss paint highlights every flaw in a surface.
Compared to lower-sheen finishes, high-gloss coatings typically require more coats and require additional surface preparation, such as sanding. Moreover, high-gloss paints take longer to cure, so you will need to give them several hours to dry between layers. A fan can be used to expedite the drying process.
Where Is High-Gloss Paint Appropriate?
The following interior spaces of your home are common candidates for a high-gloss finish:
- Furniture
- Molding
- Trim
- Cabinets with doors inside
- Areas with heavy traffic
High-gloss finishes work well for Woodwork, molding, cabinets, door trims, baths, kitchens, and even for outdoor applications. Since it is the most resilient paint type available, it’s best for painting high-traffic sections of your house that will be subjected to dirt and damage. It is advisable to hire a professional to apply the paint because it is difficult to keep an even application due to its highly reflecting nature. Compared to flat, eggshell, satin, or even semi-gloss finishes, the application flaws will be far more obvious with high-gloss paint.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Paint Finishes
Here are some aspects to take care of before choosing a finish based on appearance.
The Purpose Of Room:
Wall paint in kitchens and bathrooms is prone to moisture, soap, water, and even cooking oil. So it is crucial to select a paint finish that will shield your walls from these factors.
Frequency Of Foot Traffic:
Without a durable paint finish, years of frequent entering and exiting will ruin the luster of your walls.
Texture Of Wall:
Whatever option you choose, the texture of your wall can cause issues when applying paint. The paint will cover up the flaws and subtleties of the texture of walls more if you choose a lighter finish. Choosing a light or matte finish can be the best option for walls that are cracking.
Room Size & Natural Light:
While choosing a finish, think about the amount of light you need for your space and the mood you like to create. Higher-gloss finishes will let more light bounce across the space, while the low reflectivity of lighter finishes can help create the feel of a fading wall.
Choose Paints Of Superior Quality
Generally, high-quality paints are more colorant. As a result, you can cover an entire space with fewer coats of paint. Moreover, high-quality paints have more resins, which increase the paint’s durability. So, go for high-quality paint if your budget allows you.
Consider Ease Of Cleaning
The amount of glossiness in a paint determines its ease of cleaning. As much as your paint is glossy, it is easier to clean.
Apply A Sample:
Try out the color and shine you are thinking about for the best results. To ensure you are selecting the appropriate paint for your application, select a sample and apply it to a tiny portion of a wall.
Remember to include the tint base and colorant:
How much the paint fades over time depends on the colorant. For example, yellows and bright greens tend to fade more quickly than whites and browns. In addition to forming the base of color, the tint base also influences a paint’s hardness and stain and dirt resistance. It also establishes how long it will last after being cleaned.
Conclusion
It is essential to choose the right paint finish to give your place the desired appearance and ensure paint longevity. Depending on the particular requirements of your space, all paint finishes offer distinctive benefits, ranging from the elegant appearance of matte finishes to the glossy, attractive shine of high-gloss options. Whichever type of finish you select for your space, knowing the various finishes will help you make an informed decision. Consider things like the amount of traffic, room lightning, texture of walls, and the intended use of spaces. Moreover, remember that selecting high-quality paint is essential for lasting results. This guide will help you transform your space with assurance that you have selected the right paint finish for each area in your home.
