PAINT FINISHES EXPLAINED
22nd August 2018
High Gloss
The most durable and easiest to clean of all paint sheens, high-gloss paint is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting.
High gloss is a good choice for areas like cabinets, trim, and doors. High-gloss however is too shiny for interior walls. Beware high gloss shows every bump and roll, so don’t skimp on prep work.
Practical application: kitchens, doors, and window trim
Top Tip: Apply multiple thin coats to achieve the smoothest finish.
Semi Gloss
Good for rooms with high moisture. Also great for trim work that takes a lot of abuse.
Practical application: Kitchens, bathrooms, trim, hand rails
Top Tip: Apply multiple thin coats to achieve the smoothest finish.
Flat or Matt
A friend to walls that have something to hide, flat/matte soaks up rather than reflects light. It has the most pigment and will provide the most coverage, which translates to time and money savings. However, it’s tough to clean without taking paint off with the grime.
Practical application: Adults’ bedrooms and other interior rooms that won’t be roughed up by kids.
Satin or Silk
Satin has a soft pearl like appearance and this finish would be more associated with woodwork, it helps to hide imperfections and gives the colour a softer appearance.
Silk however is known for showing up imperfections, so make sure you have a good surface to start with but easy to wipe clean.
Practical application: Hallways, playrooms & kids bedrooms
Eggshell
Between satin and flat on the sheen (and durability) scale is eggshell, so named because it’s essentially a flat (no-shine) finish. Eggshell covers wall imperfections well and is a great finish for gathering spaces that don’t get a lot of bumps and scuffs.
Practical application: Dining rooms, living rooms