Info On Fresh paint Finishes Flat Eggshell And Satin

Friday, March 15, 2013

Info On Fresh paint Finishes Flat Eggshell And Satin

Paint finishes determine shininess

Selecting the right paint will allow for the best finish for your home. Most acrylic paints come in a variety of finishes, also known as sheens, ranging from flat (no sheen) to high gloss (extremely shiny). Oil-based paints may be available in the same sheen levels, although they may be described in different terms.

Types

The sheen of a paint describes how much light it reflects or absorbs. Flat finish paints, also called matte finish, absorb light rather than reflecting it, while eggshell paints absorb most light but allow a little reflection off the paint. Satin finishes are the middle ground between reflection and absorption, while semi-gloss and high-gloss offer the most reflective surfaces. While a small amount of reflection can help brighten a room, too much gloss can cause glare and become visually unpleasant.

Flaws

Flat, eggshell and satin paints tend to make wall finishes look smoother than their higher-gloss counterparts. Light reflecting off uneven surfaces makes flaws more noticeable, such as uneven taping and damaged surfaces. Without the reflection these flaws are minimized. This makes the lower-gloss sheens most popular for large coverage areas such as walls and ceilings.

Cleaning

Although lower-gloss sheens hide flaws in the walls, they do not hide dirt. Flat or matte paint tends to absorb dirt and stains, making it difficult to clean. Eggshell and satin paints tend to be a little more dirt and stain-resistant, so they are better choices for high traffic areas, as they can be sponged clean of minor stains. Semi-gloss and high-gloss paint finishes are even better at resisting stains and can be excellent at preventing mildew. The glossier paint finishes are easier to clean when they become dirty, as they are nonabsorbent and can be scrubbed without damaging the paint.

Applications

Flat finishes are most often used for ceilings, where likelihood of dirt and stains is minimal and chances of imperfections are high. Satin and eggshell paints combine flaw-hiding characteristics with a small amount of stain resistance for common walls, while glossy paints are often used in kitchens and bathrooms, where dampness, stains and mildew may be factors. Gloss paints are also often used on window and door trim for their moisture and stain resisting abilities, and may be used on general trim to brighten up the look of a room with lower-sheen paint on the walls.

Considerations

If you are doing something more than painting a flat, solid color with a roller or paint sprayer, paint sheen can play a factor in application. For texture paint and faux finishes, glossier paints will flow more smoothly over existing paints, leading to easier blending and smoother overall finishes. However, gloss paint doesn't stick to other high gloss paint very well, so a heavy texture may not be very durable and will require touch-ups in high-traffic areas. Using flat paint for the base layers and gloss paint for the final finish can help achieve the look you want with the durability necessary for the area you are painting.

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Friday, March 15, 2013