Differences between flat, gloss and semi-gloss paint explained
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Choosing the right paint is important to get the best results for your needs. Depending on the weather in your area, the area of your property you want to paint and your desired finish, you may use flat, gloss or semi-gloss paint.
When selecting a paint finish, consider the following:
Flat paint, gloss paint and semi-gloss paint are different types of paints with different attributes. They have their pros and cons. The following guide offers some information on the differences between these finishes and how they can be applied to your painting project. Flat paint When looking at different paints, it's important to recognize that their names don't always give you the full story of what to expect from them. In the case of flat paint, what it lacks in shine or gloss, it more than makes up for with its unique properties. Flat paint has a matte or non-reflective appearance. The fine matte texture makes it ideal for ceilings, where you want to hide any imperfections, but it's great for painting walls in general as well. This is generally the least expensive type of paint because there's no shine. It is the most commonly used paint in homes today, though it isn't the most aesthetically pleasing option. Flat paint has no shine at all and doesn't reflect light or colour that comes off of objects behind you while standing in a room. It also looks bad on doors, so it only really makes sense to use flat paint on walls. It also takes a good amount of time to dry and can only be applied to dry surfaces. It is a great option for ceilings because it doesn't reflect light and the lack of shine reduces glare while you're hanging out in your bedroom or office. It's also the cheapest type of paint available. When you want to save money around the house, this type of paint will help you do that. A negative aspect of flat paint is that it doesn't cover up painted surfaces well and the coats have to be built up over time, making this finish seem impractical for most homes or businesses. Gloss paint If you want your home's walls to reflect light off of them at all angles, then you're going to want to go with a gloss paint finish. This type of paint is favoured by artists because it typically contains more pigment than other types of paint, which allows for greater colour depth and vibrancy. Glossy paint has a high-shine appearance. It will reflect light off of the painted object at all angles, which means that it looks great when doing trim work or on doors. However, if you put too much gloss onto your walls you'll notice the reflection of lights and other items behind you while standing in the room. Many homeowners and business owners use gloss paint in public buildings to give them a clean, crisp and professional appearance. It's also used on doors because it looks nice, but it can create some problems. If you touch the doorknob after someone else has, for example, there's a chance that you could leave fingerprints on the paint. This finish also resists mildew growth better compared to other types of finishes. With that being said, this type of paint doesn't have a very durable finish and it can be fairly difficult to clean. Gloss or "high-gloss" paint is not used in homes very often because it doesn't provide much of an insulating value and can cause surfaces to wear out more quickly. A drawback of high-gloss paint is that it can draw the cold into a building, especially if the walls and ceiling are not insulated well enough, to begin with. Semi-gloss paint As the name implies, semi-gloss paint isn't as glossy as gloss finishes but they aren't completely matte either. This type of paint is perfect for painting walls in high traffic areas because its finish resists mildew growth and smudging from touch-ups. It's also not as shiny as gloss paint which makes it easier to clean and prevents showing every little dust particle on the walls. Semi-gloss paint is a mixture between flat and gloss. It has just enough shine to look good on doors, but it isn't so reflective that it looks bad on walls. Semi-gloss can also be used for ceilings. However, semi-gloss is not recommended for trim work because it's not really shiny enough. Semi-gloss paint, on the other hand, has a higher sheen than flat paint and it provides a glossier look in comparison. It's not as reflective as high-gloss paint but is more reflective than flat paint. This type of paint is often used on surfaces that are regularly cleaned, such as doors, kitchen cabinets and furniture. It's also recommended for areas where there may be water exposure because the finish protects against moisture damage. The process of applying semi-gloss or gloss paint typically requires two coats while it only requires one coat of flat paint to cover an area. Where to use Flat, gloss and semi-gloss paints While flat paint doesn't shine like other types, it still has a slight sheen to it which allows the paint coat to protect the wall from stains and smudging. This type of paint is generally used on walls with lower traffic because it hides imperfections. The glossier the paint, the more easily dirt and dust are visible on its surface which means that it will need to be cleaned more often. Gloss paint can also show spots caused by abrasions more easily. This type of paint is ideal for painting or refinishing furniture, cabinets and doors. Semi-gloss paint is halfway between flat and gloss paint. It still has a sheen, but it's not as shiny as gloss paint which means that it provides more dust protection than the latter. Also, because of its nature, semi-gloss paint does not show imperfections in the wall. Therefore, it is commonly used for walls with moderate traffic which will be painted only once. On the other hand, dust and dirt are more visible than on non-glossy surfaces so they will need to be cleaned often. Semi-gloss paint is more durable than flat or gloss paint because it is less permeable to liquids. The pros and cons Most modern paints are of the flat, semi-gloss or gloss variety. Some manufacturers even offer satin finishes. The choice between these types of paint can impact cleaning, colour options and durability. Flat paint is low sheen, while semi-gloss and gloss paints are considered medium sheens. Flat paint finishes appear to be devoid of shine whereas semi-gloss and high-gloss paints provide more depth and lustre on the surface. High-gloss paint provides the most shine while gloss paint has less lustre than high gloss. Flat paint requires time for the finish to cure before it can be cleaned or washed, while semi-gloss and gloss paints can be cleaned soon after applying them. While flat paint typically lasts longer than semi-gloss and glossy finishes, the latter two types of paint offer a wider range of colour options. Flat paint is more difficult to clean while semi-gloss and gloss paints generally require little effort for thorough cleaning due to their sheen. Maintaining a flat paint finish typically requires a separate topcoat, while semi-gloss and gloss finishes are sealed in the paint. Flat paint is more difficult to apply than semi-gloss and gloss paints, which require only one coat to fully cover areas. Flat paint is much easier to clean than semi-gloss and gloss paints, which tend to collect dirt and dust, especially when applied in a home or office environment. Flat paints clean easily with water but may require an additional soap or solvent for getting rid of particular types of dirt. Semi-gloss and gloss finishes tend to be more durable and tolerate higher temperatures but can attract lint and dirt that may be difficult to remove. Flat paint has the least gloss, while semi-gloss and gloss paints have more shine. There are several reasons to choose between these three types of paint that include cost (both initial and ongoing), ease of cleaning and resistance to dirt or stains. Consider each type before making your decision about which one is right for your home renovations. If you require a high-quality paint with durability and heat tolerance, choose semi-gloss or gloss. |
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