What’s the Deal With Paint?  Thank you to Shannon Healey of VIEW Interiors on Baltimore, Maryland for another guest post.

Paint is hard to avoid. If you make any modifications to lighting, windows, or even change door hardware, a paint can usually needs to be opened. Often people use this opportunity to change the color of a wall or an entire room.

With how cost-effective paint is, compared to other home improvements, it’s also a popular budget conscious change for your home. You get a big visual return on paint as an investment.

But in the interest of spending your money wisely, you first need to consider the right sheen, or gloss level, for your paint. Manufacturers websites will tell you what sheens their paints come in, based on the series you select. However, there are a few things that they don’t point out that can affect how you feel about your newly painted walls.

The biggest thing to be aware of is that sheen levels are not standardized throughout the paint industry. One company’s eggshell sheen is not another’s. A different manufacturer may have a satin sheen that is less reflective than their eggshell sheen, as opposed to one who may put their satin sheen in between the gloss levels of their eggshell and semi-gloss. It is a confusing system for anyone not in the industry.

The most important thing to consider for sheen is how you use your space. Do you have young children or animals? Maybe satin sounds like the best bet for you, with its extra “scrubbability” over flat paint. If you are not a fan of the reflectiveness of a satin, then matte might be your answer. Matte is a popular choice for homeowners who want the best of both scrubbable and non-reflective (not shiny!) worlds.

Keep in mind that not all sheens are available in all paint series. You may want the less expensive interior latex at Sherwin Williams, but it won’t come in a matte gloss level. You’ll pay a bit more for matte, so be prepared to get creative if you have a lot of walls to paint.

If you have wainscoting in your home, you can use a satin sheen below it and a flat sheen above. Typically, the majority of scuffs happen at lower levels on your walls, especially if you have little humans or animals. Satin gets you more peace of mind at that level, without making the majority of the wall too shiny above. The area above the wainscot is also where the majority of the light falls from artificial lighting. This only makes any sheen in your paint more pronounced, especially at night.

The interior trend these days is certainly matte, whether it’s paint, countertops, or flooring finish. The majority of my clients use matte sheen on their walls and satin or eggshell on their trim. Thankfully newer technology provides for a more durable paint. You no longer have to give up performance in order to keep your walls from glaring at you!

Thank you again to Shannon Healey of VIEW Interiors in Baltimore, MD.  Website: VIEW Interiors  Cell: 408-839-6416. Email: shannon@view-interiors.com