An In-Depth Look At Paint Finishing Options

Sheen, or gloss, refers to the overall finishing touch to a wall’s surface. Choosing the wrong type of finish for your environment can render your efforts useless. As top residential and commercial painting contractors in Boston, our team at Metrowest understands the importance of selecting the right finish for every job. However, it’s important to note that not all paint is suited for all situations. Here is a look at the most common types of sheen and their best application.

Flat

Flat paint describes a mixture of paint that contains no reflective properties, thus having no sheen. Flats are best used in low traffic areas and on ceilings. While this option is an excellent choice to mask imperfections, it is also one of the hardest to clean without damaging the surface.

Matte

Another low traffic finish is matte. As a step up from flat, mattes provides a bit more durability and can be used in more areas throughout the home. Places like the living room, bedroom, and dining room are great locations for this shine-free option.

Eggshell

Perhaps one of the most commonly selected finishes is eggshell. With a low reflective property, this option is the most durable of the three mentioned. Easy to clean, an eggshell finish works well in hallways and living rooms.

Semi-Gloss

If you prefer a bit of shine to your walls, semi-gloss is the next step up in sheen. Although there are a few options between eggshell and semi-gloss, this finish is available in most interior paints. However, semi-gloss provides the perfect ratio of flat and shine for the architectural elements of your home like baseboards, trim work, and cabinetry.

High Gloss

At the top of sheen levels, high gloss offers versatility and the ultimate levels of durability. Best in high traffic areas of the home, like your kitchen or bathrooms, high gloss is easy to clean and holds up well in the dirtiest of situations! However, due to the shine, this finish is unforgiving when it comes to wall imperfections. If you’re considering a high gloss paint, be sure to fully prep your walls, or better yet, leave the job to the professionals!   Whether you are searching for residential or commercial painting contractors in Boston, having a team that understands the inner workings of everything paint is a must! Don’t compromise the integrity of your walls by choosing the wrong team, contact Metrowest Painting today at (508) 393-0000.