The Difference Between Paint Finishes in California
Are you thinking about hiring a painting contractor for your home in Arcadia CA? If so, you might be imagining all kinds of colors and patterns. At the same time, it’s possible you’re not considering paint finishes at all.
Nevertheless, those finishes — which are also called sheens — will have a major effect on how your interior home painting turns out. Paint finishes are often divided into five categories of reflectivity. And they’re measured by percentages. Each percentage indicates the shininess level: The higher the number, the more reflective a finish is.
Let’s look at these categories now, starting with the shiniest of them all.
- High Gloss
A high gloss paint finish is at least 85 percent reflective — so reflective it almost looks like glass. And such a sheen offers major benefits. For one thing, this type of paint is long-lasting. Also, this finish makes it a breeze to clean a surface. And this sheen really makes paint colors stand out; they’ll seem especially rich and vibrant.
On the other hand, a high gloss finish is probably too overwhelming for large surfaces like walls. Instead of complementing your furnishings and other decor, it would distract from them. Be aware, too, that this sheen spotlights surface flaws. Thus, thorough surface preparation is vital before this kind of paint is applied.
On balance, a high gloss sheen may be just right for your doors, cabinets, trims, and other limited areas inside your home.
- Semi-Gloss
It’s not quite as shiny as a high gloss finish. But, with a 35 to 75 percent sheen, a semi-gloss paint is still distinctly reflective. In fact, its gleam would likely be too extreme for most interior spaces.
However, this finish could work well in a bathroom or a kitchen. Alternatively, it might suit smaller surfaces like windows and trims. Moreover, a semi-gloss paint is durable, and it can withstand moisture over time.
- Satin
A satin sheen would give you a reflectivity of 25 to 35 percent. Imagine the shininess of velvet, and you’ll have a rough idea of what that reflection looks like. With a satin sheen, your walls should be simple to clean, making this finish suitable for many bathrooms and kitchens. Furthermore, it can conceal surface flaws to an extent, but some of them will still be visible.
- Eggshell
With a sheen of only 10 to 25 percent, an eggshell finish provides an attractively modest luster.
This sheen is similar to a matte sheen, which is the final category. Indeed, some painting companies group eggshell sheens and matte sheens together. Even so, an eggshell finish has a somewhat more noticeable gleam than its matte counterpart.
You’ll often see eggshell finishes in corridors and living rooms. Just be aware that this type of sheen requires more effort to wash than the sheens listed above. In addition, an eggshell paint might not last quite as long as those other paint options.
- Matte
A matte finish hardly reflects light at all. Its sheen is approximately 5 to 10 percent. As such, it’s often used to touch up ceilings and to paint walls in bedrooms and other rooms that few people enter.
Note that a matte sheen can be ideal for hiding imperfections in surfaces.
Getting the Right Finish
When you’re thinking about paint finishes, it helps to have expert advice. And you could always get that kind of advice from Painting Update, located near Arcadia CA.
For years, we at Painting Update have been handling local remodeling and home painting assignments. We’re proud to say that no painting contractor in California surpasses our track record of customer satisfaction.
Our entire team is fully licensed, completely insured, and totally friendly. We complete all of our projects on budget and on schedule. Yes, our work is quick, but it’s thorough and highly professional as well. On top of that, we’d be happy to walk you through the entire painting process to ensure your ideas are realized every step of the way.
In the end, when you’re planning your interior painting, finishes are as significant as colors. The reflectivity of your walls and other surfaces will have a huge impact on how a space looks and feels.
If you have any questions about sheens or if you’d like to get started with your paint planning, please schedule a consultation with us. We could discuss finishes along with colors, schedules, an interior painting estimate, and more. Before long, your home will match your fondest visions, and each room will boast the perfect shimmer and shine.