Whats the best paint for my home interior painting project?

Picking the best paint for your home interior painting project really depends on which room you’re going to paint. In San Diego’s mostly sunny and warm climate you need to determine when your project is ready to update. The four most popular choices are Semi-Gloss Paint, Flat Paint, Eggshell, and Satin Gloss Paint.

There are pros and cons to all three. let’s talk about the type of paints, them go from there. I’ll use paints from Sherwin-Williams as they are the preferred choice by Z Pro Painting, and most professional painters because properly applied, the results are first rate and make the job look even better.

After proper preparation of the surfaces to be painted, selecting the right paints is the second “secret” in professional painting. Buying lesser quality paints to save a few dollars is frequently the biggest reason for less than satisfactory results with DIY painting projects.

Paint sheens range from a high gloss satin to a completely flat with no shine. But how do you know which to choose? What works best and in what type of room?

Flat Paint for Interior Walls

Flat paint does not reflect light like a semi-gloss paint. Because it reflects light, it helps hide any interior wall imperfections. The benefit is it helps hide older interior wall imperfections like dings, cracks and wall tape. If wall damage is significant, it is better to repair interior walls prior to painting. Because of its ability to “hide” things, flat paint is the most popular paint choice in older homes.

The cons are it doesn’t hold up well to aggressive scrubbing… Kids with crayons and such. However, many flat paints can be cleaned up with soap and water rather easily.

Flat Matte for interior walls

Flat Matte paint has some sheen to it. This is an excellent choice for rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. Flat Matte paint stands up exceptionally well to scrubbing the walls in the room and regular cleaning. The Flat Matte paint has a more slippery surface, and it is easier to wipe clean with common household cleaners.

The cons are It does not reflect light as well and interior wall imperfections like cracks and poorly patched areas may (probably will) stand out at the right angle.

Eggshell Paint for interior walls

An eggshell finish has a subtler shine to it, so it’s a great choice if you’re not ready for a semi-gloss satin. As such, it offers what you may expect: It is shinier than flat paint but not as glossy for interior walls as satin, and it’s easier to clean interior walls than flat paint. It is not as easy to clean as satin paint. Eggshell paint is a good choice for living rooms and hallways.

Cons are eggshell finishes are not the ideal option where you will need to wipe the wall daily. Thus, eggshell paint is best used in living rooms, hallways, bedrooms and dining rooms.

Semi-Gloss Satin Paint for Interior walls

Choosing the right paint sheen for your home can make the difference between a good looking room and a great looking room. Paint sheens range from a high gloss satin to a completely flat with no shine. But how do you know which to choose? What works best and in what type of room?

What is satin paint? Satin is an oil or latex-based paint that’s not as glossy as a full gloss but still has light-reflective qualities, unlike matte paint. What about semi-gloss paint? Semi-gloss is almost the same, but has more reflective qualities than satin paint, and can be slightly more durable.

In general, the glossier the paint, the more durable it is, although some paints are designed specifically to be very durable, regardless of sheen. So, glossier paints are great for high traffic areas, or places where they may need to be cleaned frequently- like the kids’ bedroom or the kitchen.

High Gloss Paint for Interior Walls

You want your interior walls to look their best, but also to be durable, washable, and easy to touch up. Typically, this would call for a higher-sheen interior paint, like a middle-of-the-road eggshell or satin. Popular options like these provide a pleasant balance of shine, durability, and easier application.

If you go with a glossier paint, like gloss, the finish is super durable but the application is much more labor-intensive. Imperfections are obvious, both in your surface and/or your technique, making it crucial to invest in serious preparation and have strong painting skills. That’s why high-gloss paint is typically used for surfaces like trim, doors, and cabinets – and professionals that have the techniques to do the job right. You need to bring your “A” game with full gloss paint, and Z Pro Painting does it right.

So what's it all Mean?

Short answer – there are a lot of variables that go into painting a room (or rooms) in the interior of your home. Pick the right paint sheen for the room being painted, and how the room will be used, and all is good. Select the wrong type of paint sheen, even with the right color, and disaster may be in your future at worst. At best, you’ll get less than desirable results and need touch-ups or full repainting sooner than you expected. In general, the glossier the paint, the more durable it is, although some paints are designed specifically to be very durable, regardless of sheen.

Our painting professionals can discuss which paint is right for your project – ether flat or semi-gloss paint, eggshell, high gloss satin, and full-gloss paint is the best choice for your walls with you during your FREE consultation. Picking the right type of paint for your specific project is another “secret” of painting professionals. We will help you select what is best for your paint project.

We are your local painting experts and will help you make the right choices for your painting project, and our estimates are FREE. Z Pro’s service is truly white glove at an affordable price. Give us a call at (619) 964-8121 or use our Contact Us form to get in touch.

What's the best type of paint for my Project?

Local San Diego Professional Painters! If you’re ready to give individual rooms in your home a new coat of paint, don’t do it alone! Room painting can not only be time-consuming and stressful, but it can also result in less than professional results.

With the help of Z Pro Painting, you can sit back and relax while our professional painters handle the job. We are a white glove interior and exterior painting company that provides services for every area of your home.

We’ll ensure smooth and consistent results free of drips, seams, and inconsistencies.