
Your Quick & Easy-Peasy Guide to Paint Finishes
One day you look at your space and think, “This room looks dull - it’s time to paint!” But wait, not so fast!
Paint can make a bland room sing. It can bring life back to your space. It can literally change your life. (because of how it makes you feel) Colour psychology is a real thing! (we’ll cover that at a later date)….
It’s been some time since you’ve painted your walls. They may look scuffed. Perhaps you’ve tried to spot clean over time, leaving behind rub marks. Your walls may look like they have a fine, whiteish cast to them. That cast means that your current paint is waaaaay past its best-before-date and has oxidized. Oxidation happens slowly over time, when UV light hits the wall and breaks down the pigments and resins in the paint. Poof dust!
There are several things to consider before painting. Are you refreshing the room, redecorating, going all out on a reno or total gut job? Or maybe you made the wrong colour choice along the way?
Professional Interior Designers, like Anthony Interiors, get it right the first time. We know the how, the what, where, when and why to use different paint finishes and colours, in different areas of the home or office.
The right finish has as much to do with the paint colour for a room, as it does with where to use it and its wearability. We call the paint finish the sheen. The sheen, paint pigments and resins all directly relate back to the price of the paint. High-quality paint has better pigments and resins (total solids) and fewer solvents. It may go on with the same thickness as a budget paint. But when the solvents evaporate a high-quality paint, it leaves a thicker, tougher paint film, which in turn means better coverage and cleanability. Plus, less splatter for the Painting Professional. High-quality paint will always wear and ultimately outlast any budget paint brand.
Tips of the Trade:
1. TAKE A PHOTO – Yes, take a picture of your paint label, including manufacturer, colour, recipe and sheen. This is a good reference tool should you require more paint now or down the road. Once paint has been up on the wall for 12- 16 months touch-ups should be done sparingly, since the colour on the wall will not match the newer paint from the can.
2. PREP WORK - Now, this is where the “eye rolling” often happens…but prep work is important. Dusty, dirty, greasy walls (think kitchen here) won’t allow tape to stick properly, making it difficult for cutting-in or proper paint adhesion. Cleaning your walls with a TSP solution will remove grit, grease and dust, all of which are not so nice friends to paint.
3. PRIME YOUR WALLS – Priming works! Going from light to dark, or from one colour family to the other, some paint colours take more to cover than others. Using a primer will enable your desired paint to work better and look better. Spending more money in the prep means less paint on the backend of a project. The bonus? It creates a the most beautiful finish.
The Paint finish has everything to do with which room you paint, the use of the room and the mood you want to evoke. Each paint company has their own version for these finishes. Some only offer a few of these types of finishes, some offer all of them. So, consider this is general list.
Types of Paint
Flat/Matte
· BEST FOR: Low-traffic areas (i.e. formal dining room, den), non-moisture areas
· PRO: Hides imperfections of surfaces, forgiving application for the not-so-savvy painter
· CON: Difficult to clean, reacts poorly with moisture (Ever notice those drip lines down your bathroom wall from shower steam? They are super difficult to remove from flat paint.)
Velvet
· BEST FOR: Bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, non-moisture areas
· PRO: Slightly more washable than flat, similar surface concealing
· CON: Still not ideal for easy and regular cleaning
Eggshell
· BEST FOR: Bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, non-moisture areas
· PRO: Historically the most popular paint finish. Balances cleanability, sheen, ease of application. Sits nicely with your standard semi-gloss sheens on millwork or other rooms. A good choice if you are concerned with longevity and cleanability in living areas
· CON: Shows slightly more surface imperfections due to higher sheen
Satin/Low-Sheen/Pearl
· BEST FOR: Kitchens, bathrooms, high-traffic areas, millwork
· PRO: More stain resistant and durable with a subtle luster
· CON: Shows surface imperfections, slightly more difficult to apply for the novice painter
Semi-Gloss
· BEST FOR: Kitchens, bathrooms, high-traffic areas, millwork
· PRO: Historically the most popular for wet zones, millwork—durable and easily cleaned
· CON: Shows surface imperfections, slightly more difficult to apply for the novice painter
Gloss
· BEST FOR: Millwork
· PRO: The most durable and easily cleaned
· CON: Enhances surface imperfections, difficult to apply (so best left to the pros)
A final, very important word about paint. We are stewards of our environment, today and for future generations. Paint disposal should be done correctly. It should never be poured down the sink, drain or sewers. Dispose of it properly at a Hazardous Waste Facility. In cities, such as Ottawa, Ontario, you will find those locations and dates on the City’s website. At Anthony Interiors we believe in sustainable, socially responsible design. this protects our environment and keeps it green for future generations.
Do you have a burning question about Interior Design & Decorating? Send us your questions. If your question is selected as a Blog topic you will win a gift card.
Until next time! – A.M.A. (upcoming blog - Quality Sofa Construction)
Love the paint information. Thanks.😀