How to Choose an Interior Paint Finish You’ll Love

Almost all homeowners have been there. Roaming around the local paint store, contemplating which color is best suited for each room, holding the cautiously chosen paint swatch… convinced they have found the ideal color of paint for their room that will match the new furniture. Everything seems all dandy and fine, until the store clerk asks, “What paint finish will you be using?” – The confidence slowly evaporates, pressure builds, homeowners hem and haw.

“Oh, I don’t know, semi-gloss will do just fine I guess”. Then they get home, begin painting the rooms, and after a few hours when the job is done – there is a feeling of utter disappointment. Most people are surprised to find that their beautiful new room now has walls that are so shiny that they show every possible drywall flaw. Frustrating to say the least! However, there is a way to avoid disasters like these. Take a look below to learn the difference between different paint finishes available.

Matte Finish

Also popularly known as “Flat Paint”, matte finish is widely used in interior decoration projects. It has the least amount of shine, as compared to other paint finishes. Since it does not reflect light, it can prove to be extremely handy in hiding your aged walls that have accumulated a lifetime of cracks, bumps, tears, and other imperfections. The downside though of this finish is that it can be difficult to maintain. They do require a certain level of maintenance and care. However, there are plenty of matte cleaning solutions available to ensure your paint stays smooth and consistent for years.

Eggshell Finish

This finish is a step up from matte in terms of shine. It tends to be a little brighter than matte, but as compared to other paint finishes, has very low reflective qualities. One of the best qualities of the eggshell finish is that it is a little more forgiving when it comes to cleaning. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about constantly maintaining the paint. This makes it perfect in situations where you have young children and old walls, as the eggshell finish offers an interesting balance between washability and showing imperfections.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paint finish is usually preferred for doors, windows, baseboards and other trims in your rooms, which include picture framing and chair rails. These areas have it rough due to the foot traffic in your house. As a result, semi-gloss paint is perfect, as it makes frequent cleaning a breeze. The paint offers a silky and shiny appearance, but requires a bit of prep work as it may highlight previous surface imperfections almost immediately (due to the highly reflective qualities). The finish is rarely used on full walls, as it doesn’t offer the same level of sophistication like eggshell or matte.

High-Gloss Finish

High-gloss paint finishes are also rarely used for covering full walls and prove to be perfect for the trims in your rooms. The durability of this paint is really high as it is akin to enamel. Therefore, the finish is best suited for areas that sticky fingers touch, which includes doors, trims, cabinetry, and windows. High-gloss finishes require extra attention while painting, so it’s best you hire a professional for the job.

So, now that you are familiar with the different types of paint finishes available, choosing the right one for each of your rooms won’t be a problem.

Jeff Sommers

Jeff Sommers is a vibrant and experienced professional, having been at the helm of ESP Painting, Inc. for 27 remarkable years. As President, he has become an esteemed leader in the Commercial & Residential Construction industry in Oregon, United States. His experience has seen him gain valuable insight and knowledge, making him an invaluable asset to ESP Painting and its customers. With a bubbly personality and upbeat attitude, Jeff always looks ahead to the future as he continues his leadership journey toward success.