The right type of sheen in the paint makes all the difference.
The type of paint finish you decide on for each room of the house is just as important as the color you pick. Finishes range from flat to enamel. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. The room's use should be the main consideration when selecting flat versus enamel. Even when using a flat wall paint, it will brighten the room if you paint the trim in an enamel finish. Enamel is reflective and is easy to clean, making it a perfect choice for trim and baseboards.
Flat vs. Enamel Finishes
Paint is a mix of pigments and liquid.
Paint is a made from pigment, resin and a carrier. The main ingredient is titanium dioxide, the base white pigment. Small amounts of colored pigments are added to create the right tint. Resin is the substance that makes the paint stick to the wall. The carrier is an evaporating liquid that thins the paint mixture so it can be applied to the surface and is either water or an oil, such as linseed or soy oil. Other ingredients are added to alter the sheen of the finish. Paint with more resin and less pigment provides a glossier finish. So, a flat finish has more pigment; enamel has more resin.
Advantages of Each
The type of sheen in the paint used should be based on how much traffic a room gets.
Flat paint has a matte finish with a nonreflective surface. It can camouflage small imperfections in the wall's surface. It lends an air of sophistication to any room.
Enamel is the most durable form of paint. It is ideal for heavily trafficked areas of the home, since it is easy to clean. It reflects the light and has an extremely smooth finish, looking almost like it's been sprayed on. The glossier it is, the more washable it is. Enamel dries quickly and is mildew-resistant.
Disadvantages
Enamel paint will show surface imperfections.
Flat paint does not hold up well to scrubbing. It can be washed, but if scrubbed, it takes on a polished look, thereby destroying the finish of the wall. Its porous texture traps dirt, and it is difficult to remove any stains.
Enamel shows up every imperfection in the wall, because it reflects the light.
Uses
Flat paint works well over fresh drywall.
Flat paint is an excellent choice when painting fresh drywall, because it goes over joint tape and compound easily, leaving a smooth and uniform surface. It works on walls that have a lower chance of needing hard scrubbing, such as living rooms, master bedrooms and dining rooms.
Enamel is the toughest and most durable of the paint finishes. It is frequently used for cabinets and trim. It acts as a counterpoint to a flat finish wall because it reflects light, thereby creating visual interest. It is scrubbable and can hold up to dings from vacuum cleaners and fingerprints from the kids.
Recent Trends
As a result of recent government stipulations regarding the use of oil as a base for paint, oil-based paint has fallen out of favor. Because of its high volatile organic compound (VOC), it does not meet the government-mandated ecologic guidelines that many states have set up. Even though oil-based paints adhere better than latex, flow better off the brush and provide a hard-shell finish, they are falling by the wayside.
Cost
When you're selecting paint, the price of the product is almost always a good indicator of quality. If you want the finish to last more than a couple of years and the color to stay true to the paint chip you selected, it's best to use the finest product you can afford.
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