You have a huge painting project ahead of you. You have selected all of the colors for each room – now it is time to purchase the paint. This is where the hard part comes in: selecting the finishes (or sheens) for each room. From the least to the most amount of shine:
Flat Finish
A flat paint finish has no shine. It reflects no light, so it conceals flaws more easily. A flat finish provides excellent coverage for most adequately-prepared surfaces. It is easy to maintain. Flat finish paints should only be used in areas with very little traffic (people touching/hitting the walls), as they are not as washable or durable as paints with more shine.
Matte Finish
“Matte” finish is often used synonymously with “flat”. However, depending on the paint company, a matte finish may have a little more shine than a flat paint. A matte finish has less shine than a satin paint. Matte paints are semi-washable, so they should be used in rooms where little shine and some wash ability is desired.
Eggshell Finish
Again, it depends on the company, but an eggshell finish is either going to have the same amount of shine as a matte or a satin finish. An eggshell finish has a low amount of shine and reflectivity. The more shine the finish has, the more durable the paint is going to be.
Satin Finish
Paint with a satin finish has just enough shine to softly reflect light in a room. It gives the walls a soft glow. However, the light will detect any flaws in the wall, so dents and cracks should be fixed beforehand. A satin finish is fairly washable and durable so it may be used in rooms with a higher amount of traffic.
For high-traffic areas, as well as high-moisture areas, a semi-gloss is a fine finish. The kitchen and bathroom are examples of both. A semi-gloss finish is very durable, as well as scrubbable (able to be scrubbed). Semi-gloss finish paint is fairly shiny, however, and it will accentuate flaws in the walls.
Gloss Finish
A gloss, or high-gloss, finish is both the shiniest and the most durable paint finish of all these. It works well for painting trim because of its extreme durability. If you do not like a lot of shine on your walls, however, a glossy finish may not be the right choice for you.
Choosing the right paint finish does not have to be a complicated matter. In selecting a finish, first you will need to decide whether you like a little more shine on your walls or none at all. Then you will need to determine the amount of durability and wash ability needed for the finish of each room.
In a kitchen and bathroom, it is usually best to use an eggshell finish or higher due to the extreme moisture buildup. In children’s bedrooms and playrooms, the finish should also be fairly durable, but does not need to be very shiny. And in low-traffic living areas and bedrooms, a flat or matte paint finish may be desired. If you need more help with choosing a paint finish, visit with someone at your local paint store.
