Home Improvement 101… Part 3 Choosing the right paint finish

A fresh paint of coat is one of the least expensive home improvements you can make that has the biggest impact to your home.

When choosing a paint color for a room, the selection does not just stop at the choice of color. The finish also plays an important role. Surprisingly, there are 5-6 different paint finishes to choose from. Each finish has its own pros and cons and can change final outcome of the home painting project. Here are a few of the most popular.

Matte Finish

This type of interior paint has a matte surface. It is sometimes called flat finish or wall paint. This paint finish is usually used on interior walls. It’s especially good if you have to camouflage small wall bumps, cracks, or other imperfections, this finish does not reflect light. While some flat paints are advertised as washable, be sure you keep some on hand after you’ve finished painting, you might need to touch up scratches or marks.

Eggshell Finish

It looks like the very low sheen of the shell of an egg. With only a slight hint of shine or gloss, it’s good for walls and holds up better with cleaning than flat or matte finish paint.

Satin Finish

Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. It is most often used for windows, doors, trim, or ceilings, but can also be used as wall paint. This is particularly suitable for kids’ rooms, kitchens, or bathrooms, or in areas with a lot of traffic. Paint with a satin finish is formulated to hold up to cleaning and light scrubbing.

Semi-Gloss

A semi-gloss paint finish is a wonderful choice for doors, cabinets, and trims in places like the kitchen and bathrooms. Semi-gloss can be easily cleaned and offers a delicate shine.

To have to best outcome with any paint finish type, it is recommended that the surface be thoroughly prepared before paint application. This process includes sanding out groves and puttying holes and indentations and sometimes applying a primer to cover previous wall treatments.