| For those of you who are reading this article right | | | | ceiling paint on the ceiling. |
| now about how to choose the right paint finishes | | | | Eggshell Finish - This sheen is used a lot for walls, |
| congratulations. You are a cut above the rest of the | | | | hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. Because of the |
| crowd who think eggshell is a color. | | | | angular sheen level you get a better more washable |
| Before becoming a house painter, I was just about | | | | surface in a latex formula. I used to use eggshell |
| as naive as everyone else when it came to sheen | | | | before the newer ceramic Matt finish came along. |
| levels. So I figured this article may be of help to you | | | | Satin Finish - This sheen is best used for woodwork, |
| in making a decision, which paint finish or sheen level | | | | trim, windows and doors. Many people make the |
| you will want to use on various parts of your house. | | | | mistake of using semi-gloss. Semi-gloss is way too |
| I hope this information will help give you some fresh | | | | tacky looking. The satin finish or sheen level is what I |
| new ideas. | | | | use for woodwork and trim either in latex or oil base. |
| Flat Finish' Great for ceilings if it's a true flat. Most | | | | It's the norm in all upper class homes. |
| flats are not a true flat and will cause streaking which | | | | Semi-Gloss - This was used mostly in the old days |
| is noticeable on ceilings. Because of the wash ability | | | | for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, woodwork and |
| factor of some paints, many paint manufactures add | | | | trim. Porch floors, basement floors, etc. would be the |
| a bit of sheen to the mix, not giving you a true flat. | | | | only modern day exception. Every since I started |
| The old alkyd flat paint finishes were durable, smooth | | | | painting homes back in 1991 I have only used |
| and highly washable but alkyd or oil base paint is just | | | | semi-gloss a couple of times. It's that rare. |
| about a thing of the past due to government | | | | Gloss Finish - This sheen is common for front |
| restrictions on V.O.C. levels in paint. | | | | entryways. If you can picture seeing a large white |
| You can buy regular ceiling paint, which is a true flat. | | | | front entryway complete with side windows all |
| So I suggest using that. The only exceptions would | | | | encased in wood as you are entering a fancy home |
| be kitchens and bathrooms. It's best to use | | | | you will see that some are done in a high gloss white. |
| something washable on these ceilings like an eggshell | | | | And most of the time it's alkyd or oil base formula. |
| or Matt finish. | | | | As far as I'm concerned, that is about it for gloss. I |
| Matt Finish - this sheen is ideal for walls. Some of the | | | | did have to do some doors in a house once using |
| newer lines of Matt finishes have micro ceramic bead | | | | high gloss for a dentist. He wanted them to look like |
| technology in the paint giving them the appearance | | | | pearly white teeth I am guessing! |
| of a true flat, yet the smoothness and the scrub | | | | That is about all there is to it for sheen levels other |
| resistance of an alkyd flat. Most of the cheaper lines | | | | than for exterior painting. For outside painting I will |
| of latex wall paint will leave burnish marks if you go | | | | use a low luster finish, (which is comparable to an |
| to scrub on them. | | | | eggshell) or a satin finish when it comes to exterior |
| Matt is very architectural looking as well as washable | | | | siding, trim, doors, etc. I just match the sheen level |
| for fingerprints or smudges. I like using it in | | | | that was used before unless the customer wants |
| bathrooms for walls and for ceilings as well. In other | | | | something different. |
| rooms I use it just on the walls and use a dead flat | | | | |