When choosing paint for your Ramsey MN home, you probably put a lot of consideration into the color. While it’s true that the color of paint you choose can have a major impact on the overall appearance of your home, the type of finish is just as important. Many homeowners overlook the finish when planning their home painting project, but the finish you choose can affect the results of the paint job.

Here are the six types of finishes your painting contractor could use for your home:

1. Flat

Paint finishes can be organized from lowest to highest amount of sheen, and flat paint has the least. A flat paint usually has 0 to 5 percent sheen, which means it absorbs light almost entirely without reflecting it. The main reason that homeowners choose flat paint is to hide flaws in the walls. Glossy or reflective paints make these imperfections far more noticeable, so you could use paint with a flat finish if you want the walls to look exceptionally smooth and uniform.

The biggest downside to flat paint, though, is that it’s difficult to keep clean. Because of its absorbency and porous texture, dirt and dust can quickly accumulate on the surface. Wiping down walls that are coated in flat paint can be tricky, too, as scrubbing aggressively could cause streaks or uneven patches. It is possible to clean a wall with flat paint, but you have to be very careful with it.

2. Matte

At 5 to 10 percent sheen, matte finishes are slightly more glossy than flat paints. However, they still absorb most of the light and offer little reflection. Like flat finishes, matte coatings are a good option for covering up imperfections on your walls, but they can be somewhat difficult to clean.

Your painting contractor may recommend using a matte paint in a low-traffic area of your home, such as a bedroom or hall closet. A matte finish can be a good middle ground between flat and high-gloss paints, but it still is not ideal to use in an area that may get dirty or dusty.

3. Eggshell

Eggshell paints typically have a 10 to 25 percent gloss, so they can have significantly more sheen than matte finishes. Although some types of eggshell paints are harder to wash than high-gloss paints, you won’t run into as many issues keeping an eggshell finish clean as you would with a flat or matte coating. However, cracks, rough spots, or other flaws in the surface may be more visible with an eggshell finish.

Eggshell paints can be a good option for kitchens, bathrooms, or other rooms in the house that get dirty quickly. The glossiness of the paint can add depth to a room, too, so some homeowners use eggshell finishes on trim to create a bold contrast in the space.

4. Satin

Satin paint is in the middle of the spectrum when it comes to sheen. It has 25 to 35 percent gloss, which helps it withstand cleaning. However, it can still cover up imperfections quite well. Satin paint won’t hide cracks or chips in the walls entirely, but most homeowners find that it covers up the flaws to their satisfaction.

5. Semi-gloss

Semi-gloss has a dramatic sheen to it, which is ideal for some homeowners and not for others. This type of finish ranges from 35 to 75 percent gloss, so some finishes within this category have a much stronger sheen than others. It’s important to evaluate the specifics of each paint you look at in the semi-gloss category as there are a wide range of options.

Semi-gloss coatings tend to be highly durable, so they’re good for high-moisture areas or surfaces that accumulate a lot of dirt. They do reveal imperfections in the wall, though, and the brushstrokes from the application may be visible. If you choose a semi-gloss or high gloss paint, it’s essential that you hire a professional interior painter so that the final results look as smooth as possible.

6. High Gloss

High gloss finish is the coating with the highest sheen. It reflects most of the light that hits it, so it can help to brighten up a room or create more depth in the space. Colors look more vivid with a high gloss finish, too. This type of coating is very easy to clean and highly durable, but flaws in the surface will be visible underneath the finish.

Most high gloss paints are simply too shiny for interior walls. However, they can be a great option for trim, doors, cabinets, and other high-use surfaces as they’re so easy to clean.

Before you start your next painting project, make sure you consider what type of finish you want for each room. All six types have their pros and cons, and each is best suited to a particular area of your home.

Chrave Davis Painting provides professional interior painting services for homeowners in Ramsey MN. Our team is licensed, insured, and experienced in all types of painting projects. Reach out to us today to learn more about our services or to get an interior painting estimate.