Flat, Satin
or Semi-gloss Paint? It Depends On Your Objectives
Interior
painting is one of the simplest ways to improve the appearance
of your home. But some of the decisions involved can be confusing.
One
of the most common of these decisions is the level of paint
sheen - or glossiness - to use when painting interior walls
and ceilings. Should you apply a non-reflective "flat" paint,
an "eggshell" finish with a bit of sheen, a "satin' or "low
lustre" with a higher sheen, or a "semigloss" paint that has
a glossier appearance?
The
answer, according to experts at the Paint Quality Institute,
is a matter of personal preference, taking into account not
only aesthetics, but also such practical matters as the condition
of your wall surfaces, the configuration of your family, and
your lifestyle.
Being
non-reflective, flat paints tend
to conceal imperfections in walls, ceilings and other surfaces
better than paints with higher sheen levels. As a result,
if your walls are banged up or otherwise rough, a flat paint
will help hide some of these problems.
Flat
paints also are invaluable when painting over new drywall
where the tape job is not perfectly uniform or carefully sanded,
or where very porous joint compound has been used. In these
cases, flat paints can help make the surfaces look more smooth
and uniform. (For new construction or repair work where unpainted
drywall or joint compound is involved, use
an
interior primer before applying the paint for the best uniformity
of appearance.)
Despite
their advantages, flat paints do have a somewhat porous texture
that can hold onto dirt and make cleaning more difficult,
especially when compared to paints with a higher sheen. So,
it's wise to use flat paints only in areas that are not frequently
soiled.
Eggshell
,
and especially satin or low
lustre paints, are more lustrous than flat finishes.
Because of this, they tend to impart more warmth and depth
to a room than do flat paints... and they resist stains better.
Even so, they are not as effective as semi-gloss paints in
terms of stain resistance.
Semi-gloss
paints
are
a popular choice for walls in homes where there are young
children. The reason? They offer good stain resistance and
are much easier to clean than either flat paints or even eggshell
or satin finishes. Keep in mind, however, that the glossier
the finish, the more the imperfections in your walls will
show.
A
final note on ceilings: While eggshell finishes work well
for kitchen ceilings, it is generally best to use paints that
have little or no sheen when painting ceilings. Flat and eggshell
finishes are often the best choice.
Armed
with this general information, you should be able to pick
the perfect paint for your interior walls and ceilings. But
if you are still undecided, ask your paint salesperson for
advice. Or, visit the Paint Quality Institute's extensive
Web site at www.paintquality.com;
it's full of useful information on interior and exterior painting.
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