5 different types of wall colors and finishes

• 5 types of wall colors and finishes
• What should be considered when choosing a paint finish?
• Are flat and matte color the same?
• What paint is best for a living room?

When you've picked a new color or color palette for your home improvement project, you might feel ready to hit the paint shop. But before you do that, there is one more step to choosing a color - the finishing. Paint comes in many finishes and you need to know which finish is the best choice for your project before you can bust out brushes and rollers.

5 types of wall colors and finishes

There are five types of finishes, categorized by their reflectance:

• Mate / Frosted: Matt varnishes (also called matt varnishes) have the lowest gloss. They offer the best coverage of any other color and require fewer coats to cover imperfections like nail holes. Although they are great for masking, they are the least durable type of paint and will be damaged if treated with a cleaner. As such, they are best used in low-traffic areas such as dining rooms and non-touched surfaces such as ceilings.
• eggshell: Eggshell finishes are a very popular finish. Slightly glossier than matte colors (with a slightly matte eggshell sheen), they still hide imperfections and last longer than matte finishes (although they're still not as durable as satin or gloss finishes). Eggshell colors are great for light to medium traffic areas like living rooms, hallways and entrances.
• semi-gloss: Satin finishes are the most common interior finishes. They have a velvety sheen and are easier to clean than matte and eggshell colors, making them a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, playrooms, family rooms, bathrooms and laundries. (Before you use satin paint, remember that unfortunately its sheen is more susceptible to brushstrokes, making touching down a bit more difficult.)
• Semi Gloss: Semi-gloss colors are glossy and reflective. They are extremely hard-wearing and mold-resistant and are therefore ideal for rooms with high stress or humidity, such as children's rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. They are also excellent for finishing. A glossier finish, they show imperfections more than less lustrous colors.
• gloss: Glossy colors are the shiniest finish on the palette. They are also the most durable and washable thanks to which they can withstand daily scrubbing. Consider this family of colors for doors, trim, and cabinets. In addition to the interior colour, high gloss can also be used as an exterior detail, for example on roller shutters. However, preparatory work is important when using this sealant - it can have many bumps if used incorrectly.

What should be considered when choosing a paint finish?

Before you go to the store and choose a finish, there are a few things to keep in mind to help you find the right color:

Traffic . Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a paint finish is the amount of traffic your room will endure. Crowded spaces like kitchens and playrooms benefit from more durable finishes like satin and semi-gloss, while quieter spaces like dining rooms can get dry with eggshells or even dull paint.

The shine of the color. Painted finishes are categorized by gloss, ranging from smooth, non-glossy finishes to super glossy high gloss finishes. The luster of any surface affects the amount of light it reflects back into the room. So if you're trying to lighten a dark area, a slightly more glossy finish is preferable to a matte finish.

. The more reflective the finish, the more surface imperfections on the painted item. If you're painting a wall that has a lot of nail holes or patches, consider a less lustrous color - this will help hide those blemishes and keep the wall smooth.

A matte finish is a low to medium gloss finish. However, compared to the flat finish, the matte finish has a higher percentage of gloss. As with the flat interior paneling, a matte interior wall paneling can be used. Both flat and matte surfaces work particularly well in bedrooms.

While there can be slight variations in gloss percentages between different manufacturers' matte finishes, gloss percentages are typically low for these types of paints.

Are flat and matte color the same?

What is flat paint? Flat paint has more pigment than any other finish, which is why it is also known as correcting paint - it is also known as matte paint. It is fully anti-reflective, so the paint absorbs the light that shines on it. 

What paint is best for a living room?

Opt for an eggshell or satin finish in the living and dining room. It camouflages blemishes and imperfections - especially on uneven walls - and makes the room look classier, which is something you definitely want when showcasing your home.