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Picking the right paint finish Go to the hardware store, request a gallon of paint, and in addition to the color, they will also want to know what finish you want. There are five basic paint finishes, and it pays to know the differences between them so you can choose the right one for your needs. Paint finishes vary in sheen. A flat or matte finish is just that – flat with no sheen. It reflects no light and is easy to touch up, making it a good choice for imperfect surfaces. Experts recommend a flat finish for the ceilings and walls in most rooms but bathrooms and kitchens. Cleaning flat paint can be difficult, so you might want to avoid using it in areas like bathrooms and kitchens. If you are looking for a finish with a hint of sheen like the surface of an egg, try eggshell. It touches up easily and holds up better to cleaning than flat, but it can
be delicate. You don’t want to use it in areas with a lot of traffic. For a silky, pearl-like sheen, try a satin finish. It is not as easy to touch up, but it is easier to clean, making it a good choice for ceilings, doors, walls and trim. It can be scrubbed and works well in areas that get a lot of traffic. For kitchens, bathrooms and other areas where cleanup takes place on a regular basis, a semigloss finish is ideal. Not only is it resistant to humidity, staining, chipping and scuffing, but it is super easy to clean. Just wipe it down with warm, soapy water, and watch the dirt disappear. Because of the higher sheen, the durable finish will bring attention to surface imperfections and it can be harder to touch up. Finally, there is high gloss. Experts recommend the shiny finish mostly for furniture, cabinets, woodwork and trim because it reflects so much
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light and magnifies imperfections. Prepwork is essential for creating a good surface for a highgloss paint. Once it is applied, however, it is highly durable and super easy to clean, though hard to touch up. Manufacturers are working hard everyday to make all finishes easy to clean and durable. Generally, the shinier the finish, the better it will stand up to washing and scrubbing. That’s why experts often recommend the use of more than one finish in a room. In a playroom, for example, you might use flat paint on the ceiling, satin on the walls and semigloss on doors, trim and other areas little hands are likely to touch. Selecting a paint color is just one part of the process. You must also select a finish. Think about the purpose and condition of the surfaces you intend to paint, and choose the right finishes. Glossy doesn’t always mean better.