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Interior paint comes in different finishes, and the more sheen, the shinier it will appear on your walls. Certain finishes do well in specific rooms, depending on traffic and how durable you need your walls to be. Below is a guide to selecting the right sheen for your residential painting.

How to Select the Perfect Paint Finish

1. High-Gloss

The shiniest and most durable, high-gloss paint is the easiest to clean. Because of these characteristics, it is the perfect option for high-traffic rooms, like the kitchen, and areas that see a lot of hands and movement, like doors, windows, and cabinets.

High-gloss is shiny and reflects the light well, which means every surface imperfection will be seen. Make sure to prep the area well before applying a coat.

2. Semi-Gloss

If high-gloss has too much sheen for you, take one step down to semi-gloss. This option boasts high durability and is ideal for areas with moisture and a lot of traffic, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Because it is easy to clean, grease and other fluids can be removed without much trouble. Trim and details, like chair rails that get bumped frequently, are also good surfaces for semi-gloss.

3. Satin

residential paintingAnother sheen that makes cleanup simple, especially in busy rooms, is satin. The velvety finish works well in a family room or hallway. It is also great for children’s bedrooms, but hiring a residential painting contractor to apply it is your best option since brushstrokes during application are easily seen.

4. Eggshell

Mostly flat with just a touch of sheen, eggshell offers medium durability and a clean, smooth finish. This option masks any imperfections on the walls and is best used in areas with minimal damage risk, like dining rooms and living rooms.

5. Matte or Flat

Matte or flat paint has no shine and doesn’t reflect the light. This quality makes it perfect for hiding problems on painted surfaces, and because it has the most pigment in its makeup, it offers the most coverage of all of the finishes. Unfortunately, it is harder to clean if stains appear. Adult bedrooms and areas without pets or kids do well with matte.

 

When you need a professional for your residential painting, call Harbour Painting. Serving New London County, CT, and the surrounding areas since 1977, these painting contractors have offered homeowners and businesses high-quality work using only Benjamin Moore® paint and the top techniques in the industry. They will even install details, like crown moulding, wallpaper, and more. Call (860) 444-0705 to begin working with them or visit them online for their gallery.

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