What paint sheen do i pick?(part 1)
This is one of the main questions you will need to answer as you move forward with your paint project. First let’s break “sheen” down in laymens terms. The “sheen” of the paint is really just the “shine” of the paint. For simplicity sake, this article will focus on the normal areas that get painted with certain sheens. Buckle up because here we go!
Flat: This is the paint with the least amount of sheen and it will feel pretty chalky to the touch. Flat paint is generally used on ceilings and the walls of many new construction homes. It goes on ceilings because shiny ceilings look somewhat out of place. New constructions use a flat because it’s generally inexpensive and it hides defects (nail pops, drywall bows, etc.).
Pros - Looks great, hides defects, is cost effective, easy to touch up.
Cons - Maintenance is virtually impossible. Smudges, dirt, etc. can’t be wiped off without leaving a mark on the wall.
Recommended Uses: Ceilings and walls that won’t have much contact.
Brand we use: PPG 9585 for ceilings/PPG Speedhide Zero flat for walls.
Matte: This is a step above flat. Matte still has a low sheen finish but has more body/solid content to it. Matte can be used on ceilings but will generally be more expensive than flat. If you want a low luster finish AND need something you can wipe off, then this paint is probably the ticket for you. A good matte paint will not be very cheap, so if you’re on a budget this might not be the best way to go. Generally they will run $50 - $70, so if you need low cost to freshen up a room you might need to look at something different.
Pros - Looks great, good coverage, very wipeable, easy to touch up.
Cons - Expensive
Recommended Uses: Walls in either residential or commercial settings.
Brand we use: PPG UltraLast. Benjamin Moore Regal Select or Aura are also great.
Eggshell: This is the sheen you will find on the majority of walls. Eggshell is right in the middle of the spectrum of sheens. It has enough shine to look nice, it will still hide defects, and you can clean it easily. Customers will also have a wide choice of products to choose from across any price point. If you’re doing a neutral color over a neutral, I would recommend using a mid-grade eggshell. It will cover nicely and still be able to be cleaned. If you need a big color change I would upgrade the product. As we get into the shinier products, they will be harder to touch up because of the added sheen. Also, the darker the color the shinier the product will be. Deep colors have more solids and will naturally shine more. If you want something bold, a matte may be a better choice.
Pros - Looks great, good coverage, cleanable.
Cons - More difficult to touch up (especially deep colors), dark colors may look shinier than expected.
Well, that’s it for part one! We’ve gotten an overview of the first half of sheen that mainly go on ceilings and walls. Part two will cover satin to gloss.
