You’ve selected the ultimate colour palette for your interior. And you’re ready to rush to the paint store. But let’s stop you there. Let’s inform you, when you order the shades, the keeper will ask you, “what finish you’d like the paints in?” Now it’s commendable if you have the answer; if not, this read is for you. Here is all you need to know to make informed decisions on paint finishing materials for your next paint job.
What are Paint Finishes or Paint Finishing materials? Why is it important?
A paint’s finish, also called finishing material, refers to the “sheen” or the look of the paint once it dries. Depending on the type of paint you choose, it could be glossy, matte, or flat in the finish.
Finishing materials in paints determine the extent of cover on cracks, dents, or other imperfections on the surface they are used on. In the case of interiors, it is generally the wall, the door and window panes.
The ultimate look and feel of the interior decoration depends on the shade of paint and finish chosen to a great extent, especially when it comes to lighting.
After all, the paint finish determines how the light bounces off the wall. So, choosing the suitable paint finishing materials for the fitting room can go a long way in brightening up your interiors.
Types of Paint Finish Materials
To choose the right paint, it is essential to understand and differentiate between the various paint finish materials available in the market.
Paint finish materials are generally either water-based or solvent-based. Water-based paint finishes typically don’t have an odour and are quick to dry, but they don’t have any shine. In contrast, solvent-based paints are glossy, but they take a long time to dry entirely and contain certain substances harmful to the environment.
Based on the sheen or “finish”, paint finishing materials can be classified into five different categories:
1. Matte
As the name suggests, the matte or flat finish doesn’t have any shine. Also called flat paint, a matt paint finish is generally preferred because it provides a uniform, smooth look. In addition, it typically requires fewer costs than its glossier counterparts.
These paints often go well in formal settings like offices, meetings and conference rooms. These finishing materials also do an excellent job in covering wall imperfections, thanks to their properties of reflecting less light.
2. Eggshell
Eggshell is a popular choice for people who want a little bit of shine, but not too much -- much like the shell of an egg! When light hits these paints, they emit a soft glimmer and mostly stay matte. It occupies the middle ground between matte and glossy. It is durable and easy to clean. And it is often one of the best choices to use when you’re confused about the other finishing materials.
3. Satin
Satin is the most commonly chosen option for interior paints because it doesn’t fade easily, even under the sun. This paint finishing material comes at the middle of the shine-spectrum; it reflects more light than Eggshell but lesser than Semi-gloss. When it comes to durability, experts often vouch for this finish as it is the best all-rounder. You can wipe or scrub lightly to clean, which makes it an easier paint to work with.
4. Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss paint finishing materials aren’t the best for hiding surface imperfections, but they do a fabulous job brightening up dull corner addition; they rock light hues like beige and cream. These are high-durability paints suitable for kitchens, baths, chairs and rails. However, because of the higher gloss, you'll be able to perceive existing flaws on surfaces more clearly with this finish.
5. Gloss
As the name suggests, gloss reflects light the most. It might require additional preparation and many coats to achieve the desired look, but they are the best when nailing the shimmery look. In addition, it is easy to clean and is the most durable paint finishing material of the pack. This finish, albeit tricky to apply, is the best for statement looks.
Things to Consider While Choosing Paint Finish Materials
All paint finishing materials fulfill different requirements. Apart from the aesthetic appeal, you must also take into consideration the following:
Frequency of Traffic
Areas such as the living room and dining room usually have more people coming and going compared to other areas. Also, these are the more ‘formal’ areas where you receive guests.
Frequent movement means a lot of wear and tear, chances of spillage and other (un)intended abuses. For these areas, experts suggest you choose a paint that can be cleaned easily, like Satin or Eggshell.
Type of Surface
Ceilings generally look great with a matte look. Similarly, uneven walls like kitchens or balconies can look better with a matte finish. Glossy paints look good but don’t hide all the imperfections like flat paint.
Frequency of Cleaning
You must consider the paint finishing material based on an estimated frequency of cleaning that space may require. For instance, if you have kids at home who often get Picasso on the walls, you might want to choose paint that can be cleaned easily. Water-based paints are the go-to option in this case since they can be cleaned easily.
Moisture
Areas around the bathroom, kitchen sink and washbasins in living rooms are prone to dampness-induced wear and tear. These are also places that get dirty pretty soon. Gloss paints won’t cut here. Your best option would be eggshell or semi-gloss paint finishing materials.
Weather Conditions
Sunshine and rain do take a toll on the paints, even on interior paints. So for exposed areas like balconies, you might want to try something different like distemper paint. It will be best to choose matte as the paint finish material. You can read more about how to tackle monsoon related problems here.
How can HipCouch help?
HipCouch is a premium, end-to-end interior design company that has a solution for everything related to interiors. Just like how you would trust a professional painter to know which paints work for your house the best, you can trust HipCouch to understand your requirements and create a design that you’ll fall in love with.
Unlike regular design companies, HipCouch also takes care of other housing needs like paints, carpentry, lighting and many more. For example, HipCouch can guide you to pick the right colour for the right room when it comes to paints for interiors.
The most significant advantage of doing so will be that other interior design requirements like lighting and fabrics can be coordinated with ease. For example, if you have chosen satin paint for your bedroom, our designer can pick the suitable curtain fabric that goes with it.
Instead of spending time and energy coordinating with different contractors, you can sit back, relax and let HipCouch take care of all your housing needs. In fact, in choosing HipCouch, you are also saving on hidden costs.
Lastly, for HipCouch, no two designs are the same. You can get customised design solutions for yourself. HipCouch’s team of well-trained professionals will get the job done just how you like it. You can check out the services offered here.