Different interior paint finishes

How to Choose a Paint Finish

Choosing an Interior Paint Finish: Sheen and Gloss 101

Put the finishing statement on your paint color of choice by selecting a sheen that enhances the look of the surface. Sheen, or paint finish, is a measure of how much light reflects off a painted surface, resulting in gloss—or a lack thereof. Consider some of the common sheen uses listed below, or break from tradition and get creative with sheen. While some types of paint finishes may work better in certain areas than others, Benjamin Moore’s legacy of innovation ensures that our portfolio of products delivers premium performance across the sheen spectrum.

Explore the variety of paint finish that Benjamin Moore has to offer.

Sheen and Gloss 101

Sheens and glosses range on a scale from no shine to high shine. Different levels of sheen can affect how colors appear and add dimension to rooms. While there are many different types of sheen, you are most likely to see these seven key interior Benjamin Moore paint finishes during your painting journey:

Flat
Matte
Eggshell
Pearl
Satin
Semi-Gloss
High Gloss

If you’re stuck on sheen, ask your local Benjamin Moore retailer to recommend the best finish for your project.

Flat Paint

Flat paint is a term for a finish that does not reflect light, resulting in no sheen at all. This lack of reflection allows more paint pigment to come through, is more forgiving of flaws and allows for excellent hide, creating a uniform surface. Waterborne Ceiling Paint (508) is the flattest paint Benjamin Moore offers; with its ability to mask imperfections, it offers a flawless finish and is an ideal choice for ceilings and very low-traffic areas.

Similar sheens you may see in our portfolio are ultra flat or ulti-matte. These are close to flat in that there is very little sheen, but you may find slight differences between the three. Your local Benjamin Moore retailer can help you determine the sheen you need.

Use caution when considering flat paint in high-traffic areas that require frequent attention. Stains are harder to remove from low-sheen paint, and constant rubbing or cleaning can result in burnishing.

Matte Paint

Matte finish is nearly as shine-free as flat, again providing excellent hide and depth of color, with slightly more durability. Regal^® Select Interior Matte (548) is a professional painter favorite for its ease of application and smooth feel after drying. Matte finish paint also withstands frequent washing, even when applied in busier areas like hallways and family rooms.

A matte look lends a luxurious touch to many interior spaces, including bedrooms and dining rooms. Bathrooms and areas that are exposed to more moisture can be painted in a matte finish using AURA^® Bath & Spa (532), which was designed to achieve exceptional durability, color retention and mildew resistance in high-humidity environments.

Eggshell Paint

Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.

Widely available in a variety of Benjamin Moore interior paints, eggshell (and its comparable—but not exact—sheen sibling, low lustre) provides an easy-to-clean, nearly shine-free finish, suited for most areas of a home, including family rooms and hallways. While it reflects more light than flat or matte finishes, its soft glow casts colors beautifully, especially in Aura^® Interior Eggshell (N524), our most premium paint, a great choice for your most-loved spaces.

Pearl Paint

A pearl finish is a medium gloss that maintains high durability. Both beautiful and easy to clean, a pearl finish lends dimension to trim while being optimal for walls in high-traffic areas. Regal^® Select Interior Pearl (550) has a finish that can be used everywhere from wainscoting to doors, and offers mildew resistance for high-humidity areas.

When choosing this finish, make sure you follow manufacturer’s application tips and paint carefully, as paint with a pearl sheen is more susceptible to showing lap marks and other painting flaws.

Satin Paint

Often confused with other finishes, the difference between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a higher gloss, while offering better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell.

Satin paint is ideal for areas that crave definition. Use its distinctive lustre to highlight windows, shutters, trim and even interior doors. For front doors, where architectural details like beveling and paneling are customary, consider AURA Exterior paint in satin or soft gloss for a rich, lustrous look.

Also in this category is soft gloss paint, which, while not an exact match for satin paint, offers a similar higher-gloss, better-durability finish.

Semi-Gloss Paint

The luminous look of a semi-gloss paint is perfectly suited to highlight the architectural details of your home and create dimension on millwork, trim, and doors. Semi-gloss is available in most Benjamin Moore interior paints, but we especially love the look of ADVANCE^® Interior Semi-Gloss (793); it cures to a smooth, furniture-like finish, and its glossy look makes it one of the best paint finishes for kitchen cabinets.

High Gloss Paint

Offering a mirror-like finish, high gloss sits on top of the sheen chart. This finish, offered in some paints such as ADVANCE® High Gloss (794), is extremely durable and offers elegant shine. It is easy to clean, stain-resistant and will add a stunning look to doors, trim, and even a high-traffic kitchen.

Many interior designers (and adventurous homeowners) like to experiment with high gloss paint in unexpected areas, such as the ceiling or an accent wall. Keep in mind, however, that high gloss paints require careful application and preparation best left to a professional painter. If you’re committed to a DIY-approach, practice your technique and prime any surfaces to ensure they are even and clean prior to paint application. Since a gloss finish reflects light and can accentuate blemishes, avoid using it on areas that are not completely smooth.

Have More Questions? Visit your local Benjamin Moore store or contact Customer Support.

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5 Types of Paint Finishes and Sheens & How to Choose The Right One | The Savvy Heart

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Images via Norm Architects & Residencia

There’s no arguing that painting the walls can make a huge difference in your space. It typically takes a few hours, and you can completely transform the look of your room. It’s no wonder why it’s a perfect weekend DIY!

You probably spend hours narrowing down the perfect color, bringing home samples, get all the proper gear and tools… but do you ever put thought into the finish or sheen of the paint itself?

In reality, the finish is just as important as the color and it’s something that gets overlooked all the time!

Depending on what you’re painting and the look you’re going for, each sheen looks different and durability varies. Some finishes will be easy to clean, while others will highlight every imperfection on your wall, so it’s important to know what finish and sheen to use, when and where.

There are five different finish and sheen options to choose from when buying interior paint: matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss.

5 Types of Paint Finishes and Sheens

Matte
eggshell
satin
semi-gloss and
high-gloss

Images via Lotta Agaton & Sara Medina Lind

1. Flat & Matte Paint Finish

Flat and matte paint finishes are non-reflective and are typically good for low-traffic areas of your home. They’re ideal for surfaces with slight imperfections, but also ones that won’t get scuffed up too often, as it’s hard to clean.

If you have small children or if you’re are constantly moving things around in your home, then this finish probably isn’t for you. You won’t be able to get away with a damp cloth or sponge for cleanup, you’ll have to repaint the entire wall to keep it looking pristine.

Ideal places for either a matte or flat finish would include formal living rooms, dining rooms, ceilings, or a formal office.

Images via Joseph Dirand & B.E. Architecture

2. Eggshell Paint Finish

An eggshell finish is usually my go-to ever since I can remember.

This low-luster sheen appears slightly velvety and soft, similar to the actual surface of an eggshell…almost like the name means something!.

It bounces light around the room ever so slightly and can resist stains and fingerprints better than a matte finish. An eggshell finish is a good option for family rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and entryways.

Images via Dwell Magazine & Joseph Dirand

3. Satin Paint Finish

A satin finish has pearl-like sheen and is slightly more reflective than eggshell finish. Since it’s more reflective, it’s also more durable to withstand dirt and grime, therefore, easier to clean. Always a plus, right?

It’s perfect for moderate to high-traffic areas like family rooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, kids’ rooms, molding and millwork, and interior doors.

Images via MyDomaine & Deuren Centrum Noord

4 & 5. Semi-gloss and High Gloss Paint Finishes

You guessed it, both finishes are all about a sleek, glossy appearance. This finish can make a statement all on its own, even in small doses.

These shiny sheens can be glamorous, but they are also very tricky to pull off. If you’re thinking about painting your walls with a glossy finish, you might want to think about hiring a professional because the paint will end up showing every tiny imperfection in your wall, and your painting skills….or lack thereof, like the brushstrokes. Instead of going all in on the walls, you could add accents of this high gloss finish on your moulding and millwork, or as an accent on the ceiling.

Glossy finishes are ideal for areas that get a lot of wear and tear, like kitchens and bathrooms since it’s easy to clean and has a resistance to dirt, stains, and mildew.

PAINT FINISH	ABOUT	WHERE TO USE
FLAT & MATTE	Non-reflective	Low traffic areas
	Hides slight imperfections	Formal living rooms
		Dining Rooms
EGGSHELL	Low luster	Moderate Traffic Areas
	Velvety appearance	Family Rooms
	Somewhat easy to clean	Bedrooms
		Dining Rooms
		Hallways
		Entryways
SATIN	Pearl-like appearance	Moderate to high traffic areas
	Slightly reflective	Family rooms
	Easy to clean	Kitchens
		Bathrooms
		Molding & Millwork
		Interior Doors
SEMI & HIGH GLOSS	Reflective appearance	High traffic areas
	Easy to clean	Kitchens
	Resistant to dirt & stains	Bathrooms
	Highlights any imperfections	Interior Doors
		Molding & Millwork

I hope this post helped you out the next time you think about painting some interior walls in your home!

And, of course…these are just guidelines…design is all about having fun, so use your imagination! Let me know what you thought about this post and what paint finish is your favorite in the comments below!

Paint for the interior decoration of a wooden house: the purpose of painting

Wood has been a popular type of building material for many centuries, it is a natural and environmentally friendly material. Due to these properties and the pleasant appearance of wood, it is also used for interior wall decoration in various buildings. It is known that wooden surfaces are exposed to water, and in order to extend the service life, it is necessary to apply a variety of products to them. This includes coloring. About how to paint the wooden walls inside the house will be described later. nine0004

Contents

Why paint a wooden building inside
Materials for preparing and painting wood for interior decoration
- Solutions for preparing wood for painting
- Lacquer as a protective and decorative agent for wooden walls
Color Matching Tips
Helpful Tips for Purchasing Paint and Coloring
Step-by-step instructions for painting a wooden wall indoors
DIY painting mistakes
Professional painting services
Video: Sanding and painting wooden walls

Why paint a wooden building inside

Before you paint a house from a bar for what purpose such a finish should be carried out. Any type of wood, even expensive ones, loses its properties over time if additional surface protection is not applied. Indoors, a tree can be exposed to a number of factors that adversely affect it:

Temperature change;
Humidity changes;
Mechanical loads.

The fact that wood is a natural material is usually the reason for choosing it. Natural smells, external characteristics delight the owners. However, without a protective layer of various means, the structure will last no more than five years. As a result, the following changes will occur with the structure of the material:

Darkening of the color;
Surface cracking; nine0011
Various insects will begin to destroy it;
Biological formations.

Interior painting of the house should serve not only to improve the appearance, but also to create a barrier against external manifestations.

Without a protective layer of various means, the structure will last no more than five years.

Materials for preparing and carrying out staining of wood for interior decoration

Before painting a wooden house inside, you need to prepare the surface for this process. Therefore, before carrying out the work, it is desirable to figure out what means can be used, then it will be easy to choose the appropriate option for certain conditions. nine0004

Coloring allows you to get an interesting design, because modern tools are distinguished by a variety of types. If a decision is made to create a specific style, then it will be necessary to paint with a color suitable for the general idea in order to maintain the integrity of the interior design.

Coloring makes it possible to get an interesting design, because modern products are distinguished by a variety of types.

Solutions for preparing wood for painting

The technology of painting wooden walls inside the house includes cleaning, grinding the surface and applying protective substances. For this reason, the first step is to study the range of protective solutions for this material. nine0004

Many different antiseptic solutions can be found on the market to help avoid biological formations. There are also special fire-fighting impregnations, they reduce the degree of flammability of wood, creating a refractory layer.

Before buying, study the data on the packaging, manufacturers always indicate the purpose of the products, whether they are suitable for working inside the building, or can only be used outside.

There are compositions that preserve the natural color coating of the material, there are those that create a matte or glossy effect. You can meet changing the tone of the tree. nine0004

Antiseptic agents can also protect the surface from the negative effects of moisture from inside the log house. If the surface has darkened, then you can purchase solutions that will return a light tone.

There is a separate type of biopyrene designed to create protection against fire and biological formations at once.

Many different antiseptic solutions can be found on the market to help avoid biological formations.

Protective and decorative varnish

The inside of the house can be painted with lacquers, more precisely, they will create a certain effect - matte or glossy, and receive additional protection from the coating. The following types of varnishes can be distinguished:

Acrylic, safe for human health, for this reason a good option for painting wooden furniture and walls in the house. But the abrasion resistance property is low, the layer does not last long;
Polyurethane, also safe, has a high degree of strength and wear resistance. It should be noted the high cost of such funds; nine0011
Alcohol-based, get a beautiful glossy finish, but moisture resistance is low, cannot be used in rooms with high humidity;
Oily, characterized by a good degree of penetration into the structure of the tree, as a result, the layer will be durable;
Alkyd, similar in properties to the oil type, but the level of protection of alkyds is higher.

The interior of the house can be painted with varnishes, more precisely, they will create a certain effect - matte or glossy, and receive additional protection from the coating. nine0004

Wood wall paints

Interior wood paints are produced in large quantities, they are made from a variety of components. The criterion for choosing a composition is its harmlessness to humans. It is this property that is the main thing for interior work in the country. The following types of paints are found:

Water-based, inexpensive option for finishing. You can get a bright finish, or dilute the composition with water and get a more transparent shade to preserve the wood grain. They are distinguished by a fast rate of drying, the indicator of wear resistance and strength is lower than varnish compositions; nine0002 Distinguished by a fast drying rate, wear resistance and strength are lower than varnish formulations.
Silicone, an example of paints with high strength characteristics, withstand ultraviolet rays, mechanical stress, high humidity. The result will be durable, plastic;
Withstands ultraviolet rays, mechanical stress, high humidity.
Silicate, excellent protective properties, can even withstand fire. However, it can only be used on a surface treated with a similar composition; nine0002 Can only be used on surfaces treated with a similar composition.
Acrylic, do not crack, have high adhesion. Withstand various influences of external factors;
Withstand various influences of external factors.
Alkyd enamels are suitable for wood, but eventually turn yellow and fade in the sun;
Alkyd enamels are suitable for wood, but eventually turn yellow and fade in the sun.
Oil are distinguished by high resistance to moisture and mechanical stress. Minus a long drying period and not resistance to sunlight; nine0002 Oil are distinguished by high resistance to moisture and mechanical stress.
Waxy, penetrate deep into the wood, creating a reliable moisture-resistant coating. They can be transparent, or with a darkening effect. To make sure what shade you get, the composition is painted in an inconspicuous place, and they wait for it to dry.
Waxy, penetrate deep into the wood, creating a reliable moisture-resistant coating.

Color matching tips

You should choose based on the selected design. For a classic style, transparent compounds are applied, leaving the natural color of the material. The Scandinavian style involves painting in white, pastel or light shades.

Recently, several colors have been popular on walls. If dark colors are chosen, then visually the room will look smaller, and, conversely, when choosing light shades.

For a classic style, transparent compounds are applied to leave the natural color of the material. nine0004

Useful tips for buying paint and painting

If you paint the surface yourself, then you should study the advice of professionals. Before buying, they look at the expiration date of the paint, high-quality compositions must have a quality certificate, if it is not there, then it is better to refuse this product.

It is desirable to carry out staining at temperatures of +22-25 degrees. The preparatory stage should be carried out carefully, the final result depends on the quality of the preparation. nine0004

Do not forget to paint over the ends of the beams and logs facing the room. It is advisable to test the color of the product before painting, applying it in an inconspicuous place, after drying, the color may change slightly.

It is desirable to carry out staining at temperatures of +22-25 degrees.

Step-by-step instructions for painting a wooden wall in a room

Instructions for use include: surface preparation and painting itself. At the preparatory stage, the old coating is removed, painting an old log house may require removing the darkened layer with a grinder with a special nozzle. Sanding should continue until a smooth light texture is obtained. The dust is cleaned, the base is primed. nine0004

Next, proceed to the application of protective agents, if additional ones are used. Either paint is applied, the tool can be used with rollers, brushes or an airbrush. Usually 2-3 coats of paint are applied, each should dry completely.

Sanding should continue until a smooth light texture is obtained.

Mistakes when painting on your own

Beginners often neglect the preparatory stage of work when painting at home. And it is important, if the surface is not smooth and has many defects, then the paint will emphasize them, and adhesion will be low. Choosing the wrong product will also be a mistake, do not save money, because a low-quality product will lead to the need to update the painting too quickly. nine0004

Violation of the rules of operation and manufacturer's recommendations, which are written on the label. Dilution of the composition, if necessary, should be carried out strictly according to the instructions.

Dilution of the composition, if necessary, must be carried out strictly according to the instructions.

Professional Coloring Services

Most property owners tend to save money by not hiring professionals to do the painting. However, a high-quality result, which is created by specialists, will save not only time, but also money. They will tell you which tool is best for the job, and will last longer. You can be sure that the result will be beautiful and durable. The cost of services is often calculated based on the area of \u200b\u200bthe premises, they are calculated by square meters. nine0004

However, a high-quality result created by specialists will save not only time, but also money.

Before painting the logs inside the house, the surface must be thoroughly prepared. And also pay special attention to the choice of means. It should not only be beautiful in appearance, but also protect the surface from external factors.

Video: Sanding and painting wooden walls

Interior finishing options and work sequence

Category: Painting work

Variants of interior finishing and sequence of work

Interior rooms are finished differently. Ceilings are most often painted white - white color scheme, but sometimes in other colors. The walls are painted in different colors or covered with wallpaper. The choice of finishing option and the colors or wallpapers used for this purpose is made on the basis of the architectural design.

Consider the options for finishing walls and ceilings by painting on the example of several rooms of different heights, which have cornices (Fig. 1). If there is no elongated cornice, then it is arranged by painting at the top of the walls a strip of the desired width of the color in which the ceiling is painted. The section of the wall is shown in fig. nineteen0004

Simple painting of walls and ceiling is carried out with one color, most often white (Fig. 1.2).

Regular painting is carried out in two colors: the ceiling and cornice are white, the walls up to the cornice are painted with a color scheme of a different color (Fig. 1.5).

Ordinary painting with paneling is performed to separate the wall from the cornice with a panel (a strip of paint up to 3 cm wide) of such a color that it emphasizes the evenness of the cornice and the difference in colors, while harmonizing with the color of the walls (Fig. 1.4). nine0004

Coloring with a border consists in the fact that after painting under the cornice, instead of a panel, a wider (5-10 cm) strip, called a border, is removed with a color scheme of the desired color. The border should also be in harmony with the painted walls. The lower part of the border should also be separated from the wall with a panel (Fig. 1.5).

Finishes shown in fig. 1, 3,4 and 5, it is recommended to use in low rooms. If higher rooms are finished, then the border can be made up to 16 cm wide. The walls below the cornice, border, frieze, tapestry can be painted with a brush, followed by flattening or trimming, or you can perform various finishes with spray, stamps, rollers or stuffed with a stencil pattern, etc. d

Frieze painting may be recommended in high rooms. The frieze is a strip of the desired color, wider than the border. The height of the frieze can be from 20 to 50 cm (Fig. 1.5). The bottom of the frieze is separated from the wall by a panel, which should also be in harmony with the walls and the frieze.

Painting with tapestry is recommended in high rooms. The tapestry is a wider band than the frieze. The height of the tapestry can be from 60 to 100 cm (Fig. 1.7). At the bottom of the tapestry there is also a panel. Border, frieze and tapestry can be plain or patterned. nine0004

Fig. 1. Wall finishing options: 1 - section of the wall; 2 - finishing in one color; 3 - finishing in two colors; 4 - finishing in two colors with a panel; 5 - trim with a border; 6 - finishing with a frieze; 7 - finish with tapestry; a - panel; b - border; c - frieze; d - tapestry

The remaining lower part of the walls under the frieze and tapestry is called the panel. The panels are smooth and patterned. The panel is always separated from the frieze and tapestry by a panel. The color scheme for the border of the frieze and tapestry is selected so that it harmonizes with the painted walls and does not stand out as a particularly bright spot. The selection of colors for painting the border of the frieze and tapestry requires a certain artistic skill.