It’s time to paint your interior and you know the colors you’d like to use. What about the type of paint to use? From finishes to effects on different surfaces, knowing which type of interior paint to use is just as important as choosing your favorite hues. The expert painting contractors at Harbour Painting in Connecticut’s New London County break down five types of interior wall paint and when to use each.

Painting Contractors Break Down 5 Interior Wall Paint Options

Matte Varieties

As the most common of wall paints, matte offers no shine in the finish. Matte paint is easy to use with either a brush or roller, and with a couple of coats of color, it will cover any imperfections in the surface. Matte paint does require retouching, but is easily cleaned with a damp cloth. Similar to matte paint is matte enamel. Enamel is a more durable option, especially for high-traffic areas.

Gloss Paint

Another common choice is gloss paint, which offers a lot of shine. Great on woodwork, gloss paint does reveal imperfections and uneven areas, making more than one coat necessary. It’s also recommended to spackle and repair damage and prime the area before painting. Gloss paint also takes longer to dry than matte paint.

Semi-Gloss Paint

Best for trim, semi-gloss paint produces a hard, less shiny finish and usually provides full coverage with a single coat. It’s also easy to clean and great for high-traffic areas. Just like with full-gloss paint, the shine of semi-gloss will show any imperfections. Repair and prime areas first, then apply paint.

Satin Finish

With a sheen in between matte and gloss, satin paint produces a soft, smooth finish and is great for areas that require regular cleaning. Since it does have a slight shine, it behaves similar to semi-gloss and gloss and will reveal any wall imperfections.

Eggshell Finish

Covering more surface area than matte varieties of paint, eggshell finish offers a subtle shine. It doesn’t have the smooth quality of satin, making it a better option for walls with dings and damage. Easy to apply, eggshell is a versatile option for any interior walls.

Since 1977, Harbour Painting has been New London County’s choice for residential and commercial painting. Only using Benjamin Moore paint, these painting contractors offer customers quality interior and exterior painting services for every job, no matter the size. For painting quotes and other information about their commercial and residential painting services, contact these painting contractors online or call (860) 444-0705.