Inside House Painting in Blacksburg VA

Which Painting Finish Is Right for Your Virginia Home?

When you’re planning your next home painting project in Blacksburg VA, the color of your paint is probably your first thought. However, did you know that the finish of your paint is also important? Also called a sheen, a paint finish refers to how glossy or matte the paint is. It can have a huge impact on your paint’s look and durability, so it is important to consult with your painting contractor before selecting a finish. To find the right Parmer & Sons Painting finish, check out this guide.

Flat Finish

A flat finish is the least shiny option you can choose. It usually has somewhere between 0 to 5 percent sheen.

Flat paint can have a look that is slightly soft, powdery, or chalky. Due to a flat finish’s light-absorbing properties, it can end up looking so slightly lighter than the initial paint sample.

Flat paint is usually a little tricky to clean. Since it is not glossy and smooth, you cannot easily clean away dirt and grime. However, a flat finish’s ability to absorb light means that any small imperfections on the wall don’t stand out. Using flat paint can save on your home painting costs, since you don’t have to spend a lot of time preparing your walls.

Matte Finish

Matte is similar to flat, but it has just a little more gloss. This style of paint has around 5 to 10 percent sheen.

At a glance, matte paint does not look noticeably shiny, but the finish does not seem chalky either. Instead, the end result is a plain, classic finish that lets the color shine.

The most popular spaces for matte paint are the living room, dining room, and bedroom walls. Matte does a good job of concealing imperfections, so it can be useful for any room with any wall abnormalities.

Eggshell Finish

With its slightly glossy finish, eggshell is the workhorse paint finish. It has a sheen of somewhere between 10 to 25 percent gloss, so it is noticeably glossy without looking reflective.

The slight shine of eggshell creates an elegant, traditional look. Due to its reflectivity, eggshell can call attention to any uneven spots in a wall. Therefore, it works best on walls what are perfectly smooth or evenly textured.

Eggshell is reasonably easy to clean, though it can still hold onto a little dirt or grime. Overall, eggshell paint is one of the most popular paint finishes for residential spaces.

Satin Finish

Satin finish is another paint finish that’s right in between shiny and flat. With a sheen of 25 to 35 percent gloss, satin is a little on the shinier side.

Satin paint finishes are very true to the color you see on a paint swatch. As the name implies, they have a silky, pearly look.

Satin paints display flaws clearly, but their advantage is that they are fairly easy to clean. Many people like satin paint for children’s rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. It can also work well on trim with a few flaws you don’t want to highlight.

Semi-Gloss Finish

A semi-gloss finish is a paint with around 35 to 75 percent sheen. This type of finish requires a lot of work, since it emphasizes any flaws on your walls or woodwork. However, once it’s applied, it is very durable and long lasting.

Semi-gloss is the classic paint finish to use on wood trim, such as baseboards and window frames. It can also work well on kitchen cabinets, and some people use it for bathroom or kitchen walls.

High Gloss Finish

Any paint with more than 85 percent gloss is a high gloss paint. High gloss finishes have a lot of richness and depth. However, since this paint reflects so much light, it tends to make a color look a little darker than the paint swatch.

The shiny, almost glass-like look of a high gloss paint is usually too much for walls. Instead, high gloss paint is typically a favorite for cabinets and trim.

Though you do have to prepare the surface very carefully, high gloss has the perk of being extremely stain-resistant and easy to clean. Ultimately, the paint finish can affect how dark your paint color looks, and it also impacts how noticeable your paint job is. It can be tricky to figure out the best finish on your own, so it’s a good idea to talk to a trusted painting contractor first. At Parmer & Sons Painting, we are happy to guide Blacksburg VA residents through the steps of picking a finish. Our staff can show you samples and make recommendations for your next painting project. Give us a call now to schedule your free interior painting estimate.

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