Wall Paint Choices for a Renovation Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Gloss, Latex Alkyd & More

Choosing the right paint for your home remodeling project can be challenging! Not only do you have to choose the perfect color, but you also have a range of choices when it comes to the right paint type and finish for your project. Your design-build contractor can help you to understand your options when it comes to the best wall paint for your remodeling project.

Here at Degnan Design Build Remodel, we believe that an educated homeowner is our best customer! In this blog post, we're going to examine the various types of wall paint, and the finishes available, along with the best applications for each one.

Breaking it Down Your Wall Paint Options

Take a trip to your local hardware store or Sherwin Williams and look at the wall color options available. You will find you have an overwhelming number of colors to choose from. Once you've chosen the perfect color, you have additional decisions to make. These include choosing between oil or water-based paint, flat or eggshell, primer or topcoat... and that's just the beginning! Today you can even choose between chemical makeup (low VOCs) to the amount of light it can bounce around the room when it's dry!

Let's delve into some of the choices you'll need to make and learn what you need to know about which paint is the right choice for the task at hand. This quick glossary will give you the background you need to have an informed conversation with your designer or contractor.

Oil or Water Based Paint

Interior paints fall into two basic categories, oil-based and water-based. They use different binding agents, and each creates specific characteristics. Water-based paints are easy to use and the most popular choice, while oil-based paints offer excellent, long-lasting coverage.

Oil-Based Paints

Also called "solvent-based" wall paints, oil-based paints are durable, affordable, and beautiful. As the name implies, they contain either organic or synthetic oil as their base. If you're painting a surface and planning on keeping the color for years, oil-based paints are resilient, making them perfect for trim like baseboards and doorways. Oil-based paints have several drawbacks to consider as they take much longer to dry than latex, give off a strong odor when first applied, and can only be cleaned up using mineral spirits.

Latex or Water-Based Paint

Water-based paint is slightly less durable and more expensive, but they offer some great benefits. They dry fast enough to apply two coats in a day, clean up easily with soap and water, and are low-odor when compared to oil-based paints. Because of these benefits, latex paint is the most common choice for interior painting applications.

To Prime or Not to Prime

Primer is used to seal a surface and give the new paint a surface to adhere to, which is consistent. Primer is a must when painting a sheetrock wall for the first time. However, if you are painting over a previously painted wall, primer isn't always necessary.

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If you're repainting with a color that isn't too much lighter or darker than the existing wall, you might not need to prime. That being said, it's never a bad idea to prime first. It can give the wall surface a consistent finish before applying the final coat, and it can save you the time and money of using a second topcoat.

If you are transitioning from a darker, more vibrant color to a lighter one (or the reverse), use a "high-hide" primer. It can eliminate the need for multiple coats. If you're sticking a bit closer color-wise, a 2-in-1 paint and primer can cut your painting down to a single coat.

When choosing a primer, remember to match your topcoat formula. Make sure if you are using oil-based paint, you use an oil-based primer. If you are using latex paint, make sure both primer and paint are water-based. Never mix one with the other.

Wall Paint Finishes

When it comes to wall paint finishes, there is a sliding scale from a high-gloss to a non-reflective matte or flat finish. As you move up the glossiness scale, expect the price per gallon to increase by about a dollar or two.

Here are the five different paint finishes in ascending order from least to most glossy:

Flat or Matte

Flat paint doesn't reflect light making it the perfect choice if you need to hide imperfections like nail pop, seams, or patches. It's an excellent finish for ceilings, closets, finished basements, and garages. One drawback is that flat finishes scuff easily.

Eggshell

As the name implies, this finish is similar to an egg. It's one of the most popular finishes with homeowners for living areas like a hallway, entryway, or family room. The eggshell finish is a little more washable than flat finishes and also a little more resistant to scuffs and stains.

Satin

Similar to the shine of a pearl, the satin finish has a bit more sheen than eggshell. It's the most common choice of homeowners for home offices, bedrooms, kitchens, and playrooms. A satin finish resists mildew and fading. This makes it the perfect choice for outdoor use like trim, shutters, and siding. It's also easier to clean than eggshell or and flat finishes.

Semi-Gloss

One step above satin, semi-gloss offers a bit more sheen and reflectivity. It's also more resistant to moisture than other finishes making it an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Semi-gloss is also a popular choice for trim and crown molding as it contrasts and stands out against eggshell or satin finish walls. The semi-gloss finish does have a few drawbacks, for example, the finish shows imperfections like blemishes on walls and ceilings, and it can require additional coats for full coverage.

High-Gloss

This is the most reflective finish and is the ideal choice for doors, cabinets, molding, and trim. However, like semi-gloss, high-gloss paint shows blemishes and requires more coats than less glossy options.

Using the Right Paint

Painting is a great, inexpensive way to update and transform your living space. However, it's important to make the right choices before you start to avoid problems down the road. For example, some paints aren't durable enough for specific applications, and others don't look right in some situations. That's why it's crucial to educate yourself on the best types and applications for paints and finishes.

If you're still unsure about which type of paint and finish is right for your project, speak with your designer or contractor. They can help you to make the perfect choice to meet your needs.

If you live in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area, why not give the award-winning design experts at Degnan Design Build Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. We're always happy to discuss your project and have been helping our clients to achieve their creative vision since 1981.