Paint is one of those things in life that can come in just about any configuration that you can imagine and in every color possible. The color of the paint that you use on your home or commercial building is actually the least important aspect of paint, considering the different types of paints, and the different finishes that the paint can create. You can take the exact same paint color, and make it look multiple different ways, simply by changing the type of paint or the type of finish that it leaves. While it’s true, the hardest part of painting is picking a color, picking the type of paint and the finish shouldn’t be as hard. With Accurate Painting of NW Florida, we can make sure that your building looks its best all year long, through all types of weather conditions.

  • The Different Finishes. The finish of paint is referred to as the paints “sheen”. This term is very loose, with one brand claiming one thing, and another claiming something totally different. In general, sheen is the amount of reflectivity the paint has, or how much light gets reflected back. In other words, how shiny the paint is. Paint with very low to no sheen is generally referred to as either flat colors or matte finishes. Most of the time, paints such as this are used for applications such as the ceiling. High quality matte or flat paints might have a slight sheen. The next highest is low-luster or eggshell paints. These have a light sheen, and are generally stain resistant and washable. These go great in kid’s rooms. Satin paint is next, and while similar to eggshell or low luster, it has a definite sheen to it. Semi and full gloss paints round out the list, with these types of paints having the most sheen. These are also some of the most durable of the paint types.
  • How does the sheen affect my paint? The sheen of the paint affects the paints durability, clean ability, and reflectivity. In general, the higher the paints gloss, the easier to wash the paint will be. Higher quality paints and paints with higher sheens are also more durable, and last longer.
  • What are the advantages of the different types of paints? While it may not seem apparent, there are advantages and drawbacks to the different amounts of sheen each type of paint has. For starters, paints with little to no sheen, such as flat and matte paints, are excellent for hiding flaws and imperfections, by not reflecting as much light back. But they suffer from durability and are the hardest to clean. Gloss paints will show off even small imperfections when light reflects off of them, but last longer, and are generally easier to clean. If you’re looking for a good blend of the two, try a satin finish.
  • What are some of the misconceptions on paint? Generally speaking, people believe that a higher sheen of paint means better paint quality. Not exactly true. You also have to take into account the paint quality. High quality flat paint will last about as long as poor quality high gloss paints, simply because the paint in the flat is better paint. Any paint that is low quality will be plagued with problems the entire life of the paint, from peeling, to fading, to poor cleaning qualities.
  • What should I consider when choosing my paints? Some of the things you need to consider when painting include what colors you want to paint the walls, what types and sheens of paint you want to use, and exactly where you want to use each specific color. Most of the time, homeowners repainting their home choose the same type and sheen of paint to do both the walls and trim, although the color might be different. Remember, color doesn’t have any play in picking the type of paint, just the color of that type. In general, satin finishes show less glare under light, and will hide more imperfections that high gloss, while looking better than flat or matte colors. Satin paints will also give a softer appearance than semi gloss or full gloss paints.
  • How can I use these paints to get different effects? If you happen to have walls in yoru home that are in good repair, using semi gloss on them can make them stick out in a home, and brings a sense of elegance and class to a room. Try painting your front door with a high gloss high quality paint to really make it pop out.
  • Any tips for using gloss paints? The best advice to using semi gloss paint is to add some Floetrol (or similar agent) to the paint. Not only will this help eliminate most of the brush or roller lines, but it will help the paint flow more smoothly, and evenly.

Using these tips you should have no problems finding the right exterior painters and will certainly save time, money, and headaches in the future. If you would like to receive a free quote, please contact us today!