When it comes to painting your house or even just a room in your house, you’ll soon notice there are many different types of paint finishes available to you – making the choice somewhat confusing.
The most common label that you notice is gloss and semi-gloss, but what are the differences?
The main difference you will notice is once your paint has dried, they will have a different amount of sheen or gloss, some suitable for walls, others best suited for doors or skirtings.
Gloss Paint
Gloss paint has a high sheen, which means it will be a lot more reflective. It is usually easier to clean and can also resist some stains.
Due to the high shine, gloss paint is usually used on cabinets or furniture or will be used on architectural details, such as trim and doors.
Something to keep in mind is the higher the shine, the more likely it is for any flaws to be noticed. If your surface area isn’t 100% perfect, you may want to consider a semi-gloss paint. Semi-gloss does have some sheen, but not nearly as much as gloss paint, meaning it has a little more give.
Semi-Gloss Paint
Semi-gloss paint is something that can be used throughout most of your house; it provides a classic finish and is more forgiving than gloss paint.
Semi-gloss is often compared to a satin finish, but it has a lot more sheen than satin does. Semi-gloss paint is best used on walls, and is perfect to be used for kitchens and bathrooms as it can be easily cleaned.
Light from windows or artificial lighting will bounce off semi-gloss paint much more easily than a flatter finish.
Painting Ceilings
Neither product should be used for painting ceilings. Ceiling paint is a lot thicker than wall paint and typically doesn’t have any gloss or sheen.
It is usually available in a flat finish, or in some cases, you will notice that some have a low gloss sheen.
Ceiling paint is formulated to resist stains and soiling from smoke or cooking vapours, but this is not the case with wall paint.
Ceiling paint is also resistant to mould and mildew; it’s not guaranteed to prevent it completely, but it will certainly help in this situation.
Flat ceiling paint is a matte finish and works well in hiding imperfections, which is important when painting ceilings. If you choose to use a low-sheen paint, ensure it is suitable for ceilings, as too much gloss on a ceiling will reflect light which is not ideal.
Avoid using wall paint on your ceiling, as it will create too much brightness. Wall paint also won’t be as thick, which can lead to unwanted drips compared to if you’re using actual ceiling paint.
As you can see, there any many different paint options available to you, and it’s easy to feel confused and overwhelmed. If you’re unsure as to which paint is the best option for you, speak to your local hardware store or paint supplier, and they will be able to point you in the right direction.
With all our ‘How to Blogs’, we recommend you use this as a guide and do further research by visiting the HIA website. The HIA Website provides expert knowledge in all areas of building and home renovation.