A Quick Guide To Choosing The Ideal Paint For Your Room

| Friday, February 25, 2011
By Phillip Mieler


We have all been there. Standing at the counter of the paint shop, holding our carefully picked paint swatch... assured that we've accurately matched the paint to the color of the piping in our new sofa. Then the self confidence evaporates when the store clerk asks which paint finish we're using.

We become speechless. Oh, I don't know, just give me semi-gloss, we say. After which we get home and are appalled to discover that our newly painted living room walls are practically shiny, showing every possible drywall flaw. Aarggh!

To stay away from paint disasters such as this, it helps to understand the difference between the plethora of paint finishes which are available these days. These include everything from your standard flat matte finish, to a high gloss, to a half-dozen more in between. Here goes :

Matte Finish. Also known as flat paint, a matte finish has the least amount of shine of any paint finish. Because it doesn't reflect the light, it really is incredibly useful when your walls are old and have accumulated a lifetime of bumps, cracks along with other imperfections.

But the draw back of a matte finish is that it really is the most tough to clean. Should you have little children and pets, matte paint might be a real chore to keep clean. You are going to most likely find yourself repainting rather than washing off marks and scuffs.

Gloss. A high-gloss paint finish is hardly ever used for interior finishes, simply because it results in a highly-reflective finish that shows every wall imperfection.

The high-gloss finish is akin to an enamel, so it is often used for cabinets or trim in quite contemporary interior designs, but is rarely used in common interior paint schemes.

Selecting the proper paint finish is simple if you know what you are searching for. So the next time you find yourself standing near the paint counter holding a color swatch within your hand, you are able to confidently order "a satin wall finish for a balance of coverage and durability, paired with a semi-gloss trim finish for increased wash-ability."

The paint clerk will likely be impressed with your understanding of paint finishes, and also you won't need to wear sunglasses to ward off the glare inside your newly painted family room.




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