As far as DIY projects go, painting is not that hard. Unless it’s art, but that’s also why we often choose to do it ourselves rather than hire a professional crew. Of course, it’s not exactly easy, particularly for first-timers or someone who has little to no experience or knowledge in the matter. It’s not hard to miss the mark, do a bad job, or worse – waste money. That’s especially true when it comes to the tools and materials. Well, less so with tools since although there may be some better options, they don’t really tend to be all that expensive anyway. The price point isn’t that high.
The actual expense is hidden in plain sight, and it’s the main material – paint. Get the wrong type, and you’re barrelling towards a total disaster that could easily end in a do-over, effectively doubling the initial costs.
What’s Out There
Let’s break it down together to save you from any future disappointment and unnecessary strain on your budget. Plus, although it’s not a foolproof method to get it right, knowing the types of paint and their proper applications can also help you with better execution. Without any further ado, let’s dive in.
We’re not really going to go into specific types, although the selection is truly remarkable – from waterproofing to various exterior and interior types for surfaces of all shapes and forms. But let’s focus on a different aspect.
You’ve probably noticed an enigmatic inscription on paint labels – sheen. What is it? It’s quite simple. Sheen describes how shiny the finish of a given paint type is, and that determines the type of surfaces and specific rooms it should be applied in to achieve the best results possible. That’s it.
We’ve got our 6 basic types of paint sheen: flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss. Let’s take a closer look at each type:
Flat
A little surprise here – flat doesn’t mean what you think. That’s actually a kind of paint that has no sheen at all; it doesn’t reflect light but soaks it up instead. It has a lot of pigment which means you can quickly cover a large surface area, and hides any imperfections very well. That’s why typically ceiling paint has a flat finish. Sometimes also used on walls or in low-traffic areas, it’s a cost-effective choice. The only issue is that it’s really hard to clean it, so you don’t want to use it in the kitchen, bathrooms or kids’ rooms.
Matte
It’s actually very similar, the only difference is that it does reflect some light since it features a very low-sheen finish. Thanks to that little tweak it’s much easier to clean it, which is why this is often a preferred choice for bedroom walls.
Eggshell
We’re going up on the scale of sheen and durability. Eggshell is just slightly higher than the matte finish, which makes it a regular addition to dining and living rooms. This type of finish has a little luster to it, resembling eggshells – hence the name.
Satin
True fans of actual satin may be a little disappointed to find out that this paint finish is actually a bit more velvety. Unlike the previous sheen levels, this one’s really great for high-traffic areas as it’s very durable. Where this rather shiny finish doesn’t shine though is hiding imperfections. This is precisely why it’s not exactly beginner-friendly – any flaws or sloppiness will not go unnoticed. Any touch-ups also tend to be quite challenging.
Semi-gloss
This finish is even more durable – enough to go against grease stains, mildew and mould. It’s obviously shiny and easy to clean. With a combination like that, it’s hard to find a better option for kitchen and bathroom walls. It can take quite a bit of abuse, so some trims could also benefit from this paint type.
High-gloss
Finally, the shiniest of options. By now, you’re probably thinking that the higher the sheen level, the more resistant and durable the finish. And that’s true, so good catch. While you might be tempted to use it for some high-traffic areas of the house, the truth is that high-gloss is too much. It’s simply too shiny. It’ll work great for some accents, maybe trim work, or doors and cabinets, but not the walls.
Not Set in Stone
As you can see these rules are quite flexible to a certain extent – as long as you know the basics. It’s also not difficult to go completely wrong, but equipped with this new knowledge, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Now you understand that picking the paint types goes beyond just choosing the right colour or perhaps the most reliable brand – you need to think about practical applications for specific purposes and rooms.
