For Denver home painting projects, most people spend ample time picking out the perfect color. But, color isn’t the only factor to consider while selecting paint. 

Paint comes in a variety of finishes, each of which has distinct qualities, benefits, and drawbacks. In overlooking the paint finish, you may end up with a paint job that isn’t the right fit for the room or the aesthetic that you’re after. 

To ensure that your Denver home painting project provides the results that you desire, let’s discuss the range of paint finishes today and how each can alter the appearance of your walls. 

What Paint Finishes Are Available?

There are six key paint finishes used today: eggshell, flat, matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. These finishes are defined by their degree of sheen. 

Eggshell

Eggshell is one of the most beloved paint finishes among homeowners and professional painters today. As the name suggests, eggshell paints create a finish much like an eggshell – they’re a little shinier than matte and flat paints, but provide more robust coverage than satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss paint. Additionally, eggshell paint provides good durability (better than matte paint, but not as good as satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss). 

Since eggshell paint is so popular, you can find it in a plethora of colors. Homeowners often find that eggshell paint is a practical and beautiful choice for common areas that receive only moderate use, such as entryways, hallways, living rooms, and dens. 

Flat

The factor that defines a flat finish is that it doesn’t reflect any light. It’s not lustrous at all. This means that the colored pigment in a flat finish is accentuated, leading to more vivid color. Additionally, flat finishes provide excellent coverage for flaws and imperfections on your walls. If you have a wall with many imperfections, like damaged corners or nail holes, you can achieve a perfect finish with fewer coats of flat paint than any other finish. 

The main downside to flat finishes is that they provide the least durability out of any paint finish. So, we recommend using them only for areas of your home that receive very little traffic, such as the dining room, or ceilings. You can’t use cleaners on flat paint without causing damage. 

Matte

Matte paint is very similar to flat paint. However, it’s slightly shinier and holds up better to cleaners. This makes it a smart choice for homeowners who want a low-shine finish and fantastic coverage in areas of the home that experience some traffic. But, matte finishes still aren’t ideal for rooms that require highly durable paint, like the kitchen and bathroom. 

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paints are lustrous and provide a high degree of durability. Additionally, semi-gloss paints can effectively resist mold and mildew. So, you can opt for semi-gloss paints in areas of your home that are susceptible to water damage, like the bathroom, laundry, room, and kitchen. You’ll be able to regularly clean walls with a semi-gloss finish without having to worry about damaging the paint. 

One of the most prominent downsides of semi-gloss paint is that it doesn’t cover imperfections as well as flat, matte, or eggshell finishes. If you want to paint a wall that has significant imperfections with semi-gloss paint, make sure to apply a coat of primer before starting and plan on using several coats of paint to achieve a handsome finish. 

High-Gloss

As you’ve probably already guessed, high-gloss is the glossiest paint finish around. This paint finish provides a gorgeous shine and is highly reflective. One of the key perks of high-gloss paints is that they’re the most durable type of paint finish. You can wash and even scrub high-gloss finishes without damaging the paint job. 

Like semi-gloss paint, high-gloss paint is resistant to mold and mildew, making it a smart option for the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Many homeowners opt for high-gloss paint in these often humid rooms and even use it successfully for exterior Denver painting projects.  

High-gloss is the least effective finish for covering imperfections. As is the case with a semi-gloss finish, using a primer will be particularly important when you’re using high-gloss paint, and several coats will be needed. 

Residential Painting in Denver

If you’re having trouble selecting a finish and carrying out your Denver painting project, enlist the help of the trusted, experienced painting team at Brush Strokes Painting. We provide exceptional painting services in Denver and can bring your vision to life. Contact us today to learn more!