Painting your home’s interior is the perfect way to transform the ambiance and to upgrade its style, and your painting contractor in Chesapeake VA will help you to bring any vision you have in mind to life. Before the work begins, however, the important matter of selecting the right paint for each room must be addressed. There is a seemingly endless range of colors to choose from, but the color is not the only factor to consider. You also must pay attention to the paint’s finish. Six types of paint finish are available for you to choose from. Your selection will impact how the paint looks once it has dried. It may also affect prep work, the paint’s durability and your maintenance efforts. What should you know about paint finishes before you finalize your selection?

Flat Paint

Flat paint has the dullest sheen available. In fact, it reflects little to no light, and this can affect how lustrous the paint looks after application. The lack of sheen indicates that the paint has minimal durability and longevity compared to the other finishes available. It also means that cleaning the painted surfaces requires extra effort. On the other hand, flat paint has one critical benefit that may make it ideal for select areas of your home. Reflective surfaces can make imperfections in walls stand out. Because flat paint has a dull finish, imperfections are camouflaged.

Matte Paint

With a 10-percent sheen, matte paint has the hint of reflectivity. This means that it may show a few wall imperfections that may be undetectable with flat paint. However, the modest amount of sheen in the finish makes matte paint more durable than flat paint. Cleaning the walls is also easier to do with matte paint than with flat paint.

Eggshell Paint

As you progress up the spectrum, you will arrive at eggshell paint. This finish has up to a 25-percent shine. Light is beautifully reflected, and the finish offers a wonderful balance of benefits with moderated drawbacks. While it is not as effective at concealing imperfections as matte and flat paint, eggshell paint will not draw attention to flaws in the same way that glossier paint can. The finish is relatively easy to keep clean, and it is reasonably durable. These features make it a smart option for home painting projects in living areas, bedrooms, hallways and other areas.

Satin Paint

Satin paint is noticeably glossy with a 25-percent sheen. Because light is reflected well off the surfaces, flaws may visibly stand out. With this and glossier finishes, the painting contractor may need to take special steps to prepare the walls before applying the paint. On the other hand, the sheen provides enhanced durability and easy clean-up. Satin paint is often used in high-traffic and heavy-use areas of the home, such as bathrooms, kitchens, hallways and children’s rooms.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paint has up to a 75-percent sheen, so the reflected light highlights imperfections on wall surfaces. Aesthetically, semi-gloss paint is often too shiny to be used in many areas of the home. However, its easy cleaning requirements and its durability make it a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Many homeowners in Chesapeake VA apply semi-gloss paint to trim accents and doors throughout the home.

High-Gloss

This is the most reflective paint finish available with up to an 85-percent sheen. The sheen makes the paint’s color more robust. Flaws on surfaces are easy to see with this paint, so they should be smoothed over as part of the prep work. This is the most durable finish, and it is the easiest to clean. These traits make high-glass paint a good choice for kitchen and bathroom cabinets. It also may be used on doors and trim. At Hughes Painting, we are a reputable painting contractor that has been serving the area for years. We understand the critical need to select the right paint color and finish for each area of the home. Our team is happy to lend a helping hand in this area by providing a free color consultation. We can also deliver a competitive interior painting estimate for your next home painting project. Rest assured that our painters work hard to complete each project on budget and on time. What can our team paint for you today? Contact Hughes Painting to discuss your next project with us.