How to pick the best paint finish for you (flat, semi gloss, gloss)

Ever wonder about the differences in paint finish when choosing paint for your home? Which finish will hide imperfections best? Which is the easiest to clean? Which has the highest glossiest sheen? Which holds up best to constant scrubbing? Wonder know more, read on and this article will explain the differences in paint finishes helping you to make the best decision for your home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Consider if you are going to paint a low activity area or ceiling an ideal finish to use would be a flat paint. Flat paint dries with a dull sheen and although it hides the imperfections well it is difficult or close to near impossible to clean.
2. Will you be painting a medium to high activity/traffic area? An ideal sheen to use for family/living rooms, children's rooms and/or play areas and kitchens would be a nice semi gloss. It has a slightly shiney quality when dried and will hide some of the imperfections on walls. A semi gloss will provide a cleanable surface that is not too shiney.
3. Finally the best in high to maximum activity areas in your home such as kitchens, doors and cabinets would be a high gloss paint. Gloss paint holds up to frequent cleaning, and has a stain resistant tough finish but will show ALL imperfections.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider the amount of the level of activity and traffic in the room you will paint.
• Homes with children are usually better off with semi gloss as it is easy to clean and this is an absolute must. (Ever try to clean crayon or greasy finger prints from a wall?--If so you know this is a neccessity.