Now that you have decided to redecorate one or more areas of your home, your attention may understandably be focused on the color scheme. The paint color you select for your walls will play a significant role in the final look, but it is not the only factor to consider. As you plan your home painting project in Elmhurst IL, you also need to pay attention to the paint’s sheen or finish. The paint sheen or finish that your painting contractor applies can impact the project and the final results in several important ways. What should you know before you make your selection?

Flat Paint

With a 5-percent sheen or less, flat paint absorbs light. This can make the paint color look less rich. However, because glossier finishes can magnify wall flaws, flat paint is a good choice for walls with numerous imperfections. Plus, flat paint is easier to apply and has more comprehensive coverage. Another important feature of flat paint is how difficult it is to keep clean. Because of these various factors, flat paint is often used in low-traffic areas of the home, such as in guest bedrooms and private offices.

Matte Paint

Matte paint has a 10-percent sheen, so it offers only the hint of a gloss. It shares many properties with flat paint, but it is slightly more durable and somewhat easier to keep clean. It also can reveal flaws more easily than flat paint. Often, it is used as an alternative to higher-gloss finishes when walls are flawed because of its combination of features.

Eggshell Paint

Eggshell and satin paint finishes are good middle-ground options. Eggshell paint has a 25-percent sheen. Compared to matte paint, it is easier to clean and slightly more durable. However, it will reveal more wall flaws. Often, it is used in areas of the home with moderate traffic, such as hallways, bedrooms and living rooms.

Satin Paint

Satin paint has a 35-percent sheen, so it is considerably glossier than other options mentioned thus far. It can magnify flaws on walls. However, it is also more durable and easier to keep clean than eggshell paint. Often, it offers the perfect combination of features for high-traffic areas of the home, such as kitchens, foyers, bathrooms and areas where children usually play.

Semi-Gloss Paint

With up to a 75-percent sheen, semi-gloss paint has exceptional durability and is very easy to keep clean. However, its glossy nature means that it highlights damaged or flawed areas on the walls. Walls and other surfaces should be prepared before this paint is applied to ensure smooth and even coverage. Because of how shiny the semi-gloss paint is, it is usually only used in kitchens and bathrooms. It may also be used elsewhere in the home for doors and trim pieces.

High-Gloss Paint

High-gloss paint dries to an 85-percent sheen. This means that its dried finish has a glass-like property. Because the finish is reflective, the flaws in walls are magnified with this glossy paint. In addition, the sheen of high-gloss paint makes it unsuitable for walls throughout the home. On the other hand, it is a great choice for doors, cabinets and other trim pieces. This is because it is very durable and easy to clean. The beautiful sheen also adds a layer of richness to the paint’s color that is lacking with other finishes.

At Final Touch Painting & Decorating, we are a trusted painting contractor that is passionate about helping our customers achieve beautiful results in their homes. During a complimentary color consultation, we can help you select the right color and paint finish for your project. We will also provide you with a competitive interior painting estimate. Rest assured that we are an interior painting contractor in Elmhurst IL that always finishes our projects on time and on budget. Request a color consultation and an interior painting estimate by contacting our team at Final Touch Painting & Decorating today.