One of the things that makes paint the fact that it comes in a range of different finishes, which gives a choice when sprucing up your property. These finishes or sheens include: flat or matte, eggshell, satin, glossy and decorative and “”faux”” finishes. Each of these paint finishes has its own characteristics and uses.
Uses of Different Paint Finishes
Glossy paint finishes come with two choices: high gloss and semi-gloss. Semi-gloss tends to be very shiny and has a super-smooth, even surface that is tough and light-reflecting. The tough surface offered by this finish is easy to clean and extremely durable; and will withstand a lot of abuse and still look like new. Because of this, semi-gloss paints are used to cover walls and woodwork that are subject to wear or those exposed to staining (i.e. kid’s room, kitchens and bathrooms. Paints with a semi-gloss finish are also ideal for baseboards, doors, windows, cabinets, furniture, weatherboards and exterior cementitious surfaces.
High gloss finish shares many of the same characteristics with semi-gloss, but is in most cases even more light-reflective and more durable. These finishes cannot be used on walls due to their overpowering nature, but they can be a great choice for areas that are exposed to heavy traffic or heavy use, particularly where sticky fingers or fingerprints, stains, grease and grime are common – like on furniture, cabinets, doors and decorative trim.
Paints with a satin finish have a silky, shiny surface, but they are not as bright as glossy paints. Like glossy paints, they have a surface that reflects light very well (but not as highly light-reflective as glossy paints) and is durable. The satin-finished surface is tough and will withstand beatings; and is also very easy to clean. Consequently, it’s used to cover walls or furniture in high-traffic areas such as kid’s bedrooms, hallways, foyers, family rooms, and other rooms that need more constant upkeep.
Flat or matte finish, as the name suggests, is a paint finish that has very little brightness. It is meant to hide flaws and, therefore, has very little shine and does not reflect much light at all. Because it contains the most pigment (high density), it is able to cover a large area thereby providing an economical selection in covering large spaces in the home. This finish is, unfortunately, not always very durable and can be tough to spot clean without taking the paint off with the stains. It is typically used in adult bedrooms, studies and other rooms that don’t require constant upkeep and are not subject to a lot of wear.
Paints with eggshell are dull and look a lot like those with a matte finish. However, these paints are a little bit shinier and tend to be slightly more durable. Also, they are easier to spot clean compared to those with a matte finish. Because it only has little sheen, this finish will hide those brushstrokes and drips and still stand up to wear and tear – unlike the matte finish. It is ideal for dining rooms, living rooms, and family rooms – rooms that get regular use or slightly heavy traffic but don’t require the kind of care a child’s bedroom or kitchen may require.
Decorative finishes consist of specialty finishes that are custom made for specialty projects or specific areas such as accent walls. Homeowners can use these finishes or mix paints to achieve a more unique look.
ColourTec Provides Quality Wet Paint Finishing and Powder Coating Shop In Auckland, NZ
ColourTec specialises in powder coating NZ and wet paint finishing for the appliance, component and architectural markets in Auckland and throughout New Zealand. With over 40 years experience, we have the capacity and expertise to deliver a range of finishes to meet the highest standards. Our services include: wet paint finishes for appliances and components, custom powder coating in NZ service, component assembly, industrial coatings NZ, high temperature paint NZ service, specialist custom finishes for appliances and architectural applications, appliance packaging, and colour brochures. Visit our website at www.colourtec.co.nz for more details.