What's the Best Paint for Interior Walls: Flat, Gloss or Satin?

Getting excited to transform your home's interior with a new paint job? Before you start, it's important to have a handle on the difference between paint types and the various paint finishes. 

Paint types and sheen are not the same thing. For example, types of paint include water-based or oil-based. Sheen finishes can range from matte to glossy. Once you're clear on paint types and finishes, you may be asking, what's the best paint for interior walls? This article will answer that important question! 

As you get closer to choosing the right paint type, finish, and color for your walls, consider all the advantages that interior house painting services can provide. A pro painting service can expedite the job while using the correct paint types and finishes for each space in your home. 

Wall Paint Type: Which Is Best for Interior Walls? 

Interior paint is formulated specifically to stand up to general wear and tear. For example, interior walls are typically painted in water-based formulas that provide good durability and longevity. Make sure to ask your painter what type of paint they are using and how it fits with your specific job. Your painting project will be completed much faster when done by professionals so you don't have to worry about types and finishes of paint.

In addition to using the best type of paint, it's critical to know how to prep a room for painting in order to achieve the highest quality paint job. Both the homeowner and painting service are responsible for certain kinds of prep. Be sure to consult with your painter so you're confident about who will do which prep jobs. 

Water-Based Latex Acrylic Paints

Water-based paints are commonly used on interior walls. Because water-based paints are manufactured for residential use, they come in a huge range of colors and finishes for aesthetic appeal.

In addition to providing a decorative element, high-quality water-based paints are stain-resistant and fairly easy to clean. Almost all paints used on interior walls in a home fall into this category. Some popular ones that we use at Singletrack Painting are Sherwin Williams Duration Home and Benjamin Moore’s Regal. 

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints are formulated for greater durability and generally speaking cure harder and level better than traditional water-based paints. Most paint manufacturers have moved away from true oil paints to what is now called oil-modified or modified alkyd paints. These paints excel for interior surfaces like trim, doors, and cabinets. Examples include Benjamin Moore's Advance and Sherwin Williams Emerald Trim Urethane. 

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Wall Paint Finish: Which Is Best for Interior Walls?

How the room will be used, wall imperfections and the amount of household traffic are factors that will guide you in choosing the right paint finish for interior walls. The glossier the finish, the more durable and easier to clean it will be, however high sheen finishes will highlight wall imperfections.

Interior painting can increase home value. When you choose the right finish, you enhance and elevate the overall effect of your interior walls. Once you become familiar with the various paint sheens, you'll be able to make the best choice for your walls. The basic finishes include:

Flat

With its subtle, velvety finish, flat paint hides wall imperfections well. But it's the least durable of all paint finishes and doesn't stand up to cleaning and scrubbing like shinier finishes. With its low scratch and moisture resistance, a flat finish isn't a good choice for bathrooms, kitchens, kids' rooms, hallways, and other walls that get a lot of wear, tear, or traffic. But flat paint is a great choice for bedrooms and living rooms that get normal use. A matte finish has similar properties as flat but with just a tiny bit more sheen.

Eggshell

Shinier than flat and matte, eggshell still has a subtle appearance and is a great choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways. An eggshell finish is easier to clean than a flat but not as durable as glossier finishes.

Satin

Moderately scratch and moisture-resistant, satin paint is more durable than a flat or eggshell finish. The attractive sheen is relatively easy to clean but may show wall imperfections. Satin finish is a popular choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and kids' rooms.

Semi-Gloss

A semi-gloss finish will show up all of a wall's imperfections. However, this slick finish is easy to clean, durable, moisture-resistant, and long-lasting. Its versatility makes it a viable choice for kitchen and bathroom cabinets and trim. 

Gloss

With high durability, moisture, and scratch resistance, gloss paint is easy to clean. The sheen may be too intense for interior walls but is a good choice for doors, window trims, and other high-traffic areas.

The Best Paint for Different Types of Walls in Your Home

The material or substrate of your interior walls could affect the type of paint you use but generally, water-based latex acrylic paint will be used. The finish however can change based on the type of surface. Check out our comprehensive sheen guide for a more in-depth look at the different sheen options. 

Singletrack Painting Works Quickly and Effectively in the Denver Metro Area

If you want a high-quality paint job that's completed quickly and efficiently, you simply can't go wrong by hiring professional painting services. Yes, you can try DIY, but the prep alone causes huge headaches for most homeowners. Experts with paint types and finishes, Singletrack Painting has decades of experience with interior, exterior, and residential painting in the Denver metro area. Request a quote today and be ready for a top-notch paint job underscored by outstanding customer service.

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