Choosing the best paint for a new project isn’t just about finding the right colour: each different paint finish serves a different purpose.
Our professional decorators at Scott Anson Painters and Decorators Ltd would suggest the following different types of paint to achieve the best results.
Types of Paint
Primer: This is the base coat that provides a smooth surface for the finishing paint. According to Dulux, using a primer is the best way to even out the porosity of a surface to ensure optimum adhesion and prevent stains from showing through the top layers of paint.
Interior vs Exterior: Exterior paints are specially formulated to be resistant to weather and temperature changes. They can be more expensive than interior paints, but they are meant to be longer lasting and look better.
Finishing Paint: This is the paint that should go on top of the primer.
Different Paint Finishes
The perfect paint finish can depend on the type of room and surface being painted. For example, you might want to consider the amount of traffic passing through the space, whether there is a lot of moisture, and the condition of the walls or wood to be painted.
Matt: Matt emulsion is often the best option for surfaces with imperfections. This type of paint can be highly pigmented and shouldn’t reflect the light. Matt works well in most scenarios, but it can look especially good when creating a classic or period style look.
Silk: Silk tends to reflect some light and is therefore known as a ‘mid-sheen’ finish. Silk can work well on walls that don’t have many imperfections. However, if the wall has lumps and bumps, a silk finish can make them more visible.
Satin: Satin is another mid-sheen finish. On wood, satin can give a slightly polished look, hide imperfections and soften colours. These paints could be great for rooms susceptible to high moisture such as bathrooms, and they tend to be more resistant to stains.
Eggshell: An eggshell finish is somewhere between matt and satin – flat with a little lustre. It is typically more durable and wipeable than matt paint, making it suitable for high traffic areas. This finish can also give wooden surfaces a beautiful classic look.
Gloss: A gloss finish is shiny and highly reflective, so it’s important to use it on surfaces that are well prepared. As it’s designed for woodwork it’s very hard and durable, and it tends to be used in high-traffic areas such as kitchens and hallways and on contact areas like doors and windows.
