Choosing The Right Finish: Matte, Satin, Gloss – What Works Best On Your Walls?

A lot of thought usually goes into paint colour when it is time to refresh your walls. While this is undoubtedly an important decision, it is hardly the only thing that is important. The finish of your walls can be just as important as the colour. This surface feel has a huge impact on the way the walls turn out, how they feel, how long they last, and can also impact your overall maintenance.

Paint comes in three main finish types: matte, satin, and gloss. Let’s take a closer look at these three finishes and discuss the right one for each wall type.

The Matte Wall Finish

Matte is one of the most popular wall finishes in building interiors and exteriors because it can look sophisticated and subtle. This type of finish has a velvety texture that is slightly rough to the touch and absorbent. 

The paint tends to absorb liquids and stains and will look different when it is wet. This absorbent nature also offers additional benefits. Instead of bouncing against the wall and reflecting, the light is absorbed. This makes it possible to conceal imperfections. 

Matte walls are not as easy to clean as glossy finishes, but can be a terrific option if you want to create a rich and elegant look in older homes or properties with imperfections.  It can be a good option for bedrooms, ceilings, building exteriors, and low-traffic areas.

The Satin Wall Finish

Paint with a satin finish offers a soft sheen but isn’t shiny. It is somewhere between a matte wall and a gloss wall. The paint will reflect a little bit of light without making the surface appear shiny.

Satin finishes are extremely popular because they tend to be easier to maintain. The smooth surface is easier to wash, and stains are not as likely to form on satin walls as they are to occur on matte walls. The smooth and velvety effect also does a good job of hiding imperfections in your walls. 

Paint with a satin finish is ideal for living rooms, kitchens, hallways, high-traffic areas, and children’s bedrooms.

This type of paint finish appears elegant but offers good balance since it is easy to clean.

The Gloss Wall Finish

Paint with a gloss finish, or high-gloss paint, tends to be very shiny. They can sometimes produce a mirror-like sheen because the paint reflects a lot of light.

Unfortunately, this reflecting nature can make imperfections on walls like nodules or unevenness a lot more noticeable. On the other hand, gloss paint is a lot more durable and a lot easier to clean since it isn’t absorbent at all.

Most people will only use high gloss finishes on smooth surfaces like the trimming of floors or on cabinets. It can, however, be a good option for bathrooms, kitchens, or children’s bedrooms if you have a tough time keeping your walls clean. 

Get Help Choosing The Right Finish

Choosing the right paint finish can be difficult, especially if you are not experienced with paint types and finishes. If you need help deciding, then the best thing to do is reach out and call We Fix Walls. Our skilled wall painters can make some good recommendations about the right paint finish to use and can even offer some paint colour guidance.  

With a skilled wall painting company like We Fix Walls, your walls will turn out great and you will get the most efficiency for every room.

Contact We Fix Walls now to find out more about our wall restoration and painting services.