There are several finishes (also often called “sheen”) to choose from. Many popular and high quality product lines offer paint in Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-gloss, and High-gloss finishes.
Flat is easy to touch up and has no sheen, which means it does not reflect light. This finish is therefore good for hiding flaws on your drywall or plaster. However, it is not recommended in rooms with high levels of moisture, mess or traffic, as it is not as easy to wipe clean as the higher sheen finishes.
Matte is a step up from a flat finish. This product is good for creating a more durable paint job than flat paint, without a glossy finish. It will still do a great job camouflaging imperfections in your drywall or plaster.
Eggshell has a medium sheen. This finish is excellent for general living areas and bedrooms in homes with children and/or pets because it wipes clean with ease.
Satin has a slightly higher sheen than eggshell and is more water and stain resistant. For this reason, we highly recommend using paint in a satin finish for kitchens and bathrooms. It is also perfectly suitable for trim, although the gloss finishes are more commonly chosen for trim work.
Semi-gloss is also suitable for kitchens and bathrooms, especially on walls that are smoother and more even with fewer flaws. The high sheen of a gloss finish will make any imperfections more noticeable. However, semi-gloss has excellent water resistance, is durable, and wipes clean extremely easily. Semi-gloss is also a popular and highly recommended choice for painting trim such as baseboards, crown molding, chair rails and wainscoting. Its durability and easy-cleaning also make it a good choice for cabinets.
High-gloss is most commonly used for painting trim or any areas you wish to highlight. Its highly reflective finish provides a glamorous luster, adding a very high-end touch to the appearance of any room. High-gloss paint dries to a smooth, hard finish which is extremely moisture resistant, durable and easy to wipe clean.
No matter which finish you choose, we always recommend using a high quality line of paint, as it will wear better over time. The high quality product lines we offer will resist fading, burnishing, and blistering, and provide you with superior coverage, adhesion and durability.