Ultimate Guide to Paint Finishes

Are you an Ottawa homeowner? Have you selected a paint colour for your project? Have you gone to the paint store to purchase the paint? Have you been asked what sheen you want and you aren’t sure what they’re talking about? Don’t worry…. you’re not alone! This ultimate guide to paint finishes will explain what paint finishes are, and how to select the right one for your home. 

What are paint finishes and what is ‘sheen’? 

If you’ve entered the world of paint, you’re probably encountering the terms ‘paint finish’ and ‘sheen’. To help clear things up, these terms are essentially the same and can be used interchangeably, they refer to how ‘glossy’ or ‘shiny’ the paint is. The level of sheen is directly related to how much light is reflected back off of the paint surface. Choosing the right finish is crucial because it affects both the appearance and performance of your paint job - the wrong finish can make imperfections more visible, be difficult to clean, or wear out quickly in high-traffic areas. 

Types of Interior Paint Finishes 

The lowest sheen and least reflective finish is a flat paint. The other end of the spectrum which is the shiniest option available is high-gloss paint. Generally speaking, the flat paints will hide imperfections better however it can also diminish the features and texture of the surface. As you move towards high-gloss, the textures get highlighted however this means the imperfections also get more visible. 

Flat Paint 

Flat paint is the least reflective paint option. It can have somewhat of a chalky texture and low-lustre appearance which can be favourable for some homeowners as without any light reflection it can provide the deepest and most rich colour appearance. It does the best job at hiding imperfections in the surface such as cracks, bumps, and nail holes, and it is easier to apply and touch up than higher gloss paints, which makes them perfect for ceiling applications. The downside however is that it is less durable, easier to stain, and can be harder to clean. 

Matte Paint

Matte paint is very similar to flat paint in that it hides imperfections well, however it does a slightly better job at protecting against scuffs and stains. In contrast to flat paint which is completely non reflective, matte does have a bit of light reflection so has a bit more of a shine than flat paint. 

Eggshell Paint

Next up on the spectrum is an eggshell finish. With just a bit of sheen, it provides a smooth and soft finish. This also provides a bit more protection when compared to a matte finish and is more washable. Many consider eggshell to be the go-to finish for most wall applications. It provides just the right amount of shine to create a smooth and soft finish, and has good durability to prevent scuffs and staining. It is just the right balance between hiding imperfections and durability. 

Satin Paint

Satin is similar to eggshell but is a bit shinier and a bit more durable, but starts to show imperfections more and can be harder to apply and touch up. Satin is a great option and can be used interchangeably with eggshell, but will typically be used in areas where you need slightly better protection and durability. Higher traffic areas such as hallways or kitchens can be a good spot for this finish.

Semi-Gloss

This is where you start to take a step into a noticeably shiny and sleek finish as it is more reflective than Satin. It offers strong durability but starts to show most blemishes on walls and ceilings. Given that it offers high resistance to moisture and is resistant to nicks and scuffing it can be a good option for spaces like kitchens and bathrooms, however because it shows blemishes typically you’ll find semi-gloss paint is not used for walls and is reserved for trim, doors, and decorative elements. 

High-Gloss

High gloss sheen offers the highest level of reflection, durability, and stain resistance. It provides a glassy finish and can be a great option for highlighting textures and features such as trims, cabinets, and doors.  

Right Finish For Your Home

At this point it can seem slightly overwhelming, that’s why we’re going to simplify it and provide recommendations on which finish to use for each surface in your home. 

Selecting finishes is all about determining where on the sliding scales you want to be in terms of durability and hiding imperfections. As durability goes up, imperfections show more. 

Ceilings 

Ceilings are traditionally not exposed to damage as much as walls, doors, or trim. They aren’t going to be kicked by shoes, hit by furniture, or exposed to stains or spills. They are a perfect candidate for a less reflective finish because you can easily hide all imperfections and not have to worry about providing damage resistance. 

Best Option: FLAT

You can’t go wrong with flat paint on ceilings. While you could select a matte finish for slightly better durability, there typically isn’t much need for this so you might as well go with the flat finish to better hide imperfections.

Walls

Compared to ceilings, walls are naturally going to have more exposure to potential damage. You want protection against staining and scuffing and want a surface that can be easily cleaned. Going with a sheen that is glossy will provide the level of durability required, but any imperfections in the walls will be extremely visible. This leaves us with eggshell or satin finish as they both provide a smooth and soft finish with good protection and hides imperfections well. 

Best Option: EGGSHELL

While both eggshell and satin can be great choices, typically we would recommend eggshell to be the best option overall. In individual cases where there may be more trafficked areas it could be beneficial to use a satin finish for the extra protection. Some people also might just prefer the slightly shinier look, but if the look is all the same to you, given that there’s so much surface area to cover and walls are so flat, selecting eggshell to hide more of the imperfections is often the safer choice. It also allows for easier and less noticeable touchups. Matte can also be a good option for walls for someone wanting a richer and deeper tone from the colour, but just keep in mind it will not be nearly as durable or easy to clean. 

Doors/Trim/Mouldings/Cabinets

This is where durability and resistance is the most important. Doors, floor trim, window mouldings, and cabinets are the parts of your home that are most exposed to potential damage. They also tend to get the dirtiest. Selecting a paint finish that is durable and easy to clean is crucial. Semi-gloss or high-gloss will be your best bet as the high reflective nature not only provides the desired protection, but it also highlights these features making them stand out from the walls and ceilings. Often trim will have decorative elements as well that will be more noticeable with a glossy finish. 

Best Option: SEMI-GLOSS

Semi-gloss is the go to option for decorative elements. It provides the right amount of protection for doors and trims that will be exposed to nicks, scuffs, and stains, and it also gives enough gloss to accent the decorative features. Jumping up to a high-gloss finish is totally acceptable, especially for additional protection, but just be careful as you don’t want it to be too shiny, especially if you select a finish more on the less reflective end of the spectrum for the walls and ceilings. Semi-gloss is also an acceptable wall paint for areas like bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens that have high traffic and exposure to moisture - especially important in Ottawa’s humid summers, but this wouldn’t be a recommendation for a typical use case. 

QUICK REFERENCE CHART: 

All in all, choosing the right paint finish for your Ottawa home is up to you, but hopefully this guide has provided enough information for you to make an informed decision on your next project. If you are still unsure, connect with us at Cadence Painting for a free consultation that will allow us to prepare a customized proposal to paint your project with paint finishes and colours recommended by our industry experts.