When you’re getting ready to paint your house, it can be confusing to know where to start when it comes to choosing the right paint. How much gloss do I want? What’s the difference between an eggshell and a matte finish? 

If you’re already anticipating how much time it’ll take to decide on the right shade of paint for your living room, you don’t need the added consideration for what type of paint you’ll need. That’s why Hemlock Paint is here with this helpful guide of paint finishes to walk you through your options when it comes to the different types of interior paint. Keep reading to find out more.

Types of Interior Paint Finishes

Generally, people will choose one paint finish and keep it consistent throughout the entire house. Increasingly, however, people are experimenting more with mixing finishes such as adding stripes of gloss to a matte wall for a textured effect. Whatever you choose, knowing what finish works best for your needs and preferences is key when choosing your interior paint. We’ve listed five finishes and their properties for you here:

Matte

Matte paint is the least reflective sheen you can get and is generally considered the standard sheen for interior walls. It has a velvety texture which can help hide imperfections in walls and ceilings. Matte paint also offers a greater depth of colour, though it can sometimes be difficult to clean.

Eggshell

Much like an actual eggshell, eggshell paint has a low lustre that works well for decorative finishes. It is much easier to clean as it won’t wash away when you clean your walls due to its durability. This makes eggshell paint a great choice for living rooms and important areas of your home.

Satin

Satin paint is quite similar to eggshell paint with a touch more gloss, though it is not noticeably different to most people. The increased sheen provides a smooth and velvety look that is great in bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms, and doors. The extra advantage of satin paint is that it is an affordable option that is durable enough to last for several years.

Semi-Gloss

For paint that will stand out and visually pop, semi-gloss paint is a finish that looks nice and catches the eye. Semi-gloss paints also stand up well to moisture, making them great choices in kitchens and bathrooms. In particular, you can scrub semi-gloss paint thoroughly without impacting your paint job. It is worth keeping in mind, however, that semi-gloss paint is reflective, so any flaws in the wall will be more obvious with light bouncing off of them. 

Gloss

While not a commonly used paint finish, gloss paint works well in certain spaces when you are wanting to create a classy environment. It is eye-catching, though, like semi-gloss, it will show flaws in the walls more easily, so it is more often used to paint trim, furniture, and cabinets. When it is used on walls, it works well in kitchens for backsplash paint as it is incredibly easy to clean. 

Call the Experts

If you still find yourself feeling lost and with unanswered questions, feel free to contact us to find out more, get helpful advice, and get your free estimate. Hemlock Painting can not only answer all of your interior paint questions, we can do the work for you to save you time and stress. We’ve worked with people all over the Greater Vancouver area, so you know you’re in good hands when you choose us for your next interior painting project.