Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. We have included the three top-rated exterior paint … The owner wanted to brighten…, All this home needed was some TLC! You can expect to repaint more often if you use flat paint. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.grade.us/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, "script", "gradeus-wjs"); Home » Recent Projects » Exterior Paint Finishes: A Guide to Choosing the Best Paint Sheen for Your Home Exterior, Atlanta GA, Columbus OH, Indianapolis IN, Available in four … A satin/eggshell finish satisfies basic maintenance points while providing a pleasant appearance that appeals to the widest range of homeowners. Regal® Select Interior Matte (548) is a professional painter favorite for its ease of … For a more skilled do-it-yourselfer, either flat or satin paint is suitable. The same thing applies to exterior paint finishes. If you want your exterior trim to really pop, then this is the paint finish for you. Between those two extremes are a few other degrees of sheen. If painting interior baseboards and door casings, the best paint for trim is an oil-based paint labeled “interior” or “interior/exterior” (view example on Amazon). But the reflective shininess will also spotlight every bump and imperfection, so for most people, they are not a good choice for large areas of the siding. Flat/Matte - This finish … It’s also an ideal choice when you need to hide imperfections under the coating on older wood or stucco divots. Simply use this finish for highlighting ornate architectural details, trim, and doors. Eggshell can also protect your home from precipitation and seasonal weather changes. Matte paint finish: Flat, or matte paint, finishes help conceal surface imperfections. High-gloss paint is best for high-impact or wet applications. A mirror-like paint sheen is glossy: light reflects off of it. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Flat paint has a velvety, matte look and is the best choice to hide any wall imperfections. While a semi-gloss paint finish can look beautiful on trim details, it isn’t a good choice if you need to conceal cracks, chips, or other surface imperfections. A home that is expected to have heavy use should be painted with satin finish paint or even a semi-gloss paint. To the touch, they still have the chalky feel of flat finishes, but with a slight waxy smoothness. Matte and flat paint finish means the same thing, but different companies call this paint sheen different things. Because eggshell isn’t dull like a flat finish, or too shiny like a high-gloss sheen, it looks great on a variety of … Choosing an exterior paint color for your home is just one part of the paint-selection process. I’m torn between applying a film-forming finish, such as paint, opaque stain, or exterior varnish, or a penetrating-oil finish. But other factors may skew your decision in one direction or another: Will you be painting the house yourself? A good paint store will have examples of each finish with a technical document demonstrating how washable and durable the paint is. Not even considering all the fabulous specialty finishes … Having everything consistent, not too busy, satin finish is by far the most requested, and … Generally speaking, glossier paints are more durable, while flatter paints are less resilient but cover better. Not only will professional painters use the right painting tools and techniques to deliver a flawless finish, an expert paint color consultant will help you choose the perfect paint finishes for your siding and trim. For homes that need to be turned around quickly for resale, flat paint offers quick curing time and short-term aesthetic appeal at the expense of long-term maintenance issues. Semi-gloss paint can also endure harsh weather conditions and withstand excess moisture. Your home's exterior is subjected to major stresses that include rain, snow, UV rays, and physical wear. This handy guide will help you choose the best paint finish for your home exterior. The glossier paints are more durable so they will hold up well on these trim surfaces that take the brunt of the weather. It’s important to note that satin paint magnifies imperfections like dents, dings, cratering, and ridges in older wood trim and wood siding. Switch to a mini-roller for flat areas. However, just as it true on indoor surfaces, flat paints really cannot be washed at all. The finish you choose will be based on the type of surface you're painting and the durability and final appearance you want to achieve. There are a few different types of paint finishes, so choose the one best for your purpose. Normally, semi-gloss paint is the best choice for trim work, since high-gloss paints are so shiny that they highlight imperfections. Paint companies now sell a dizzying array of paint finishes. Just as you would choose a wipeable finish for the interior, so too with your exterior. The types of exterior … When to use a semi-gloss finish: A semi-gloss finish is best for painting garage doors, front doors, exterior trim, gutters, shutters, metal lamp posts, railings, and window sills. You will have a choice of four basic paint sheen groupings: flat or matte, satin/eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss. While exterior painters will expertly prepare your home for a smooth, long-lasting paint job, your chosen paint finish can either make or break the final look and longevity of the paint. Boxing the paint (mixing several cans together) can also solve this problem. This house was the original builder flat beige and our customer thought it was…, This was good one! When to use a high-gloss finish: Use this heavy-duty paint to highlight architectural details, decorative fixtures, accent trim, shutters, front doors, black metal railings, window frames, or anything else you touch on a regular basis. The teal really screamed at you from the street. Although different manufacturers have different terms for describing their paints, in general, there are four different sheen levels to choose from: flat (also called matte), satin (sometimes called eggshell or low-luster), semi-gloss and gloss (or high-gloss). The choice, then, is between a flat (matte) paint or a satin/eggshell paint. © 2020 Sharper Impressions Painting - All Rights Reserved. The … Most customers desire paint finishes that are shinier and more durable, but flat paint doesn’t have to be ruled out completely. For this reason, some formulas are designed for use on specific parts of your home. Buy on Sherwin-williams.com. For large exterior surfaces, glossier paints are usually reserved for trim areas, such as windowsills and doors, as well as surfaces that may be washed frequently. Sheen can be uneven unless the paint is mixed thoroughly. Sheendescribes the degree of light reflection paint has. If so, and if you are less than confident in your skills, then a flat finish paint is easier to apply without leaving lap marks. Flat paint has a non-reflective finish that will feel slightly chalky and rough when you run your hand across it. For most exterior paint schemes, having the same sheen or finish on trim as well as siding, field, or body is ideal. However, it’s the least durable choice and doesn’t usually stand up well to scrubbing. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 1.877.665.5566. Best for Vinyl Siding: Sherwin Williams Duration. A high-gloss sheen offers extreme durability and adds a beautiful richness to paint color. Deane Biermeier is a contractor with 27 years experience in home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Modern, contemporary look when the paint is new. Exterior paint comes in a full range of sheens. Matte finish is nearly as shine-free as flat, again providing excellent hide and depth of color, with slightly more durability. Satin Paint Widely considered the most versatile and best paint for walls inside the home, a satin paint finish provides an elegant, almost pearl-like finish and soft sheen. Bikes get laid against houses. Paints with a high level of resins/binders create a high-sheen, shiny surface, while those where the pigment levels are high, create a less reflective surface. If they make an error, they are accountable and can be expected to fix the issue. Is your exterior riddled with texture-related blemishes? In general, reserve the higher gloss levels only for trim and doors—surfaces that get a lot of wear and may need to be frequently scrubbed. Professional house painters will ensure your home is prepped and painted properly so that your paint job looks amazing and lasts a long time. Cleaning a flat-paint surface is like trying to wipe down a chalkboard with a dry rag—it smears but does not really come clean. Ideal for indoor and outdoor use, it … Well, I’m here to help you understand the different types of exterior finish or sheens and their uniqueness, so you know which is best … All of that is compounded by the sheer difficulty, cost, and extended timeline for painting a home's exterior, making the question of the perfect exterior paint finish a critical one. When to use a flat paint finish: If your home has older wooden siding, or you need to conceal siding imperfections, flat paint can be a good choice. It provides a very contemporary and modern look. We applied a very flexible masonry coating to…. Pick a paint based on placement. A coat or two looks great on myriad surfaces and remains highly breathable, allowing porous building materials like brick to release moisture. This popular finish is not shiny but not totally matte, and easier to clean than flat. If so, then flat paint will help hide such defects. You may be tempted to paint your entire home exterior with this easy-to-clean, highly durable sheen, but it isn’t a good idea! Satin paints should be mixed just before every painting session. When choosing an exterior paint, it's important to think about the type of paint finish you'd like. Get a quick, computer-generated commercial painting or house painting quote at no cost to you. In general, the less sheen paint has, … While flat paint finishes used to be the most popular, they aren’t used much on exteriors these days. Do you have children, pets, and a lot of outdoor activity? Is there a universal exterior paint sheen, or finish, that works for most exterior applications? Normally, semi-gloss paint is the best … Professional painters will happily paint your exterior walls and siding with a semi-gloss or satin paint to complement the high-gloss finish of your trim. In terms of appearance, most homeowners are familiar with the shine—or lack of shine—that paint exhibits. Antimicrobial - Mildew Resistant Finish Comprehensive All-Weather Climate Protection * Guaranteed one-coat hide excludes ULTRA PURE WHITE®, colors outside of the MARQUEE One-Coat Color Collection and all other interior and exterior … Exterior Paint Finishes: A Guide to Choosing the Best Paint Sheen for Your Home Exterior, Request your free exterior painting quote today, Boring Builder Beige to Colors that Pop – Before and After, Modern & Soft Color Plan – Before and After, A Commercial Building with Dated Brick – Before and After. Paint sheen is not just about aesthetics. We’ll list the common exterior painting tasks and then recommend the best exterior paint or finish … The same paint color will appear slightly richer in a satin sheen than it does in a flat sheen. Best exterior paint for walls and trim is one which is a solid 100% acrylic latex type… Eggshell. Eggshell paint is the most popular exterior paint finish for the body of a home. Paint sheens on the dull end of the spectrum are less durable and tend to attract dirt. This is especially true if you live in a hot, sunny climate as satin paint contains more UV protectant to prevent fading. Satin paint has a nice sheen and is ideal for exterior trim areas that are used or touched often. Satin paints require a bit more care during application in order to avoid lap marks. Gloss and semi-gloss paints do, however, produce a richer color, so they are sometimes chosen when an owner wants to make a loud design statement. Have stored paint thoroughly mixed at the store before painting. This highly durable, stretchy paint resists peeling and mildew. A satin paint finish is perfect for use on a variety of trim areas such as eaves, soffits, overhangs, trim boards, porch ceilings/trim, door frames, window sills, and so much more. When you paint your house exterior, the question of which paint sheen or finish to use should be assessed on an equal plane with the paint color and brand. Trusting your exterior home painting project to the professionals will provide you with beautiful, long-lasting results. It is important that satin paints be thoroughly mixed before application to keep the resins and pigments in uniform ratio throughout the can. However, a flat finish is only recommended for exterior walls, and not areas that are touched often such as doors, railings, or windows. When to use a satin paint finish: If you want a beautiful sheen on your trim that isn’t too shiny, this is the finish for you. If you are hiring a professional painter, choose the paint finish based only on results, not ease of application. There are four different types of paint sheens that professional painters typically use on home exteriors and each has unique benefits when used on the correct surfaces. Matte Paint Finish or Flat Paint Finish. When to use an eggshell paint finish: If you’re repainting your house siding and want a low-reflective finish that also conceals minor imperfections. This popular paint finish lays down nicely, so you won’t be able to see any brush strokes, roller edges, or spray marks after applying. Finish with the outer … Paint made with 100% acrylic resins is the best all around, but the proportions of ingredients, dry-film thickness, and coverage rates vary. The finish lasts longer than flat paints. This is why it’s critical to trust your exterior house painting project to a professional painting company. The finish is quite velvety in appearance and is initially very attractive since the lack of reflectiveness hides bumps and gouges. Mud and snowballs land on the sides of the house. Glossy finish paints also may be a logical choice where an exterior will need to be washed frequently, such as in a climate where wind-blown dust is a problem, or in a home where active kids may soil the siding. As a homeowner, you want to ensure that your exterior paint withstands harsh weather conditions and UV radiation. The good news is, many paint formulas clean up easily with soap and water, but people still tend to shy away from flat paint … Exterior paint should be strictly used for outdoor paintings and vice versa. But a paint's performance also hinges on its sheen. The best exterior paint must withstand harsh weather, sunlight, varying temperatures and more. As with interior painting, it is important to keep a wet edge during application. Matte and flat finishes are perfect for ceilings, or very low traffic rooms. Choosing the Right Interior Paint Finish for Your Home, Best Trim Paint to Use for Windows, Doors, and Baseboards, Bathroom Paint: What to Know Before You Buy, Guide to the Type of Paint to Use for Which Room, 7 Best Cabinet Paint Brands for a Flawless Finish, The 7 Best Brands of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020, How to Choose the Right Type of Paint for Your Home, The 9 Best Paints for Interior Walls in 2020. The ratio of resins/binders to pigments increases with each level. Kansas City KS, Nashville TN. All things being equal, satin or eggshell finish is preferable for the exterior of a home. Paint sheen relates to both the appearance and the performance of the exterior paint. No overlap marks: Whether brushed or rolled, the paint hides lap marks very well. 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