Gloss paints are known for its durability and the ability to repel stains, smudges and rain from unprotected surfaces.
Apart from the obvious visual difference between these two types of glossy paint, there are actually quite a few major differences that you should be aware of.
The next time you go to buy paint for your home or office project, remember to check whether the paint is made specifically for one type of wall finish or another. Many paints come in versions with higher gloss levels than others. In most cases, including interior walls, dining rooms, front doors, living rooms, family rooms, laundry rooms; an eggshell gloss would be the desired choice as it is easy to clean, offers protection from UV rays and has a less reflective finish when dry.
Cleaning a high-gloss surface is a bit more work because it is not stain resistant. Instead of simply dusting this type of wall, you'll need to wipe it regularly with a damp cloth.
High-gloss surfaces are more prone to spots and smudges, so be sure to use glass cleaner for removing any greasy fingerprints or stains. Flat paint produces a stain-resistant surface, so use flat paint on your next paint project for a more durable finish and where frequent cleaning is not done. Hi-glass surfaces can often look like they are painted with enamel, which may or may not be appealing.Painting over a painted wall is no issue when using low-gloss paint as most surfaces have been prepped beforehand in order to apply either coat onto the existing paint. Enamel paint with good stain resistance, gloss paints that can conceal surface imperfections. Matt wall paint with a low sheen finish must be applied with primer before being painted or else the paint will quickly peel off or develop cracks.
Good gloss level paints are usually more expensive than low-gloss alternatives, mainly because they are higher in gloss levels and may need to be mixed with other paints in order to achieve the desired results so that colour appears. Low-gloss paints do not need this added step. However, if you prefer a high-gloss sheen for your walls over a matt finish or matt paint, it's important to remember that this type of paint does come at a cost premium.
The answer to this is yes, but it's not as bad as you might think. Luckily, there's no need for you to limit your paint choices on the basis of gloss levels. Instead, focus on how thick the paint will be and if it will need any help in terms of primer coats or other additives before applying. For example, consider using an eggshell coating that needs just one layer of finishing coat for best results. If you're unsure whether high-gloss paint is necessary, try testing matte alternatives first to see which type of finish would look better on your walls.
In most cases, yes. gloss paints are known for durability and the ability to repel stains, smudges and rain from unprotected surfaces. In fact, a high gloss finish is often created using a base coat that has been specially designed with UV protection in order to shield paints against damage caused by sunlight's harmful rays.
Typically, no but it doesn't have to be too troublesome either. The trick to keeping your high gloss paints clean is regularly dusting and removing water spots. Using a lint-free towel for general dusting, wipe the walls at least once every week to remove any unsightly smudges that could mar or damage the surface over time.
Absolutely! There's no reason why you can't treat all of your interior surfaces with high gloss paints, provided they're fully prepared beforehand. In fact, using gloss on doors and trim is a good idea as it helps to make the doors and fixtures appear more reflective and shiny. While this could be done with matte paint, it would make the areas appear duller in comparison and having a slightly glossy appearance would be better.
It depends on how much work you are prepared to do pre-paint preparation. For instance, using a spray primer is generally not possible when applying gloss to cabinets as the paint will slide off too easily. This means that an additional coat of varnish should be used before painting otherwise your primer coat may fail after just a few weeks or months.
The answer to this question isn't cut and dry. If you're looking for a high-shine finish, then gloss paints are your go-to choice. However, if you want the best colour retention possible without spending too much money, then matte or eggshell paints are often better choices in terms of longevity. Some semi-gloss paints also exist, which reflect back most light while still maintaining sheen.
Yes, but it shouldn't be treated like watercolour on canvas. To retain the original sheen and shine of your gloss finish, use only damp cloths for cleaning purposes and avoid using strong soap or detergents that could strip away some of the final paint pigment. Also remember that while high gloss paints will repel most stains once properly applied, they aren't designed to be completely stain proof, so don't expect them to do the job of something like latex paint in this situation.
Yes they can. If exposed to too much sunlight for long periods of time, your high gloss coatings could start fading and discolouring over time. This is especially true if you live near the equator or generally reside in warmer climates that receive very little rainfall overall. Also, try to avoid using any kind of oil-based cleaners on an excessively glossy surface as they could damage already thin coats with ease when applied over large expanses of flat areas.
If you ever need to remove your existing, highly reflective appearance coating for whatever reason, the key is to do it slowly and carefully. Using a paint scraper or sandpaper for scraping purposes could be dangerous given that your existing topcoat may already be thin or brittle from exposure to sunlight. Instead, try using a chemical stripper designed for this purpose in order to get rid of old paints without causing any uneven surfaces to form when removing the paint finishes.
Most paints are available in varying sheen levels, which correspond to the amount of shine that they produce when dry and how much light is reflected. Matte (or flat) paints is a type of low sheen paint for instance give off very little shine once applied making them an ideal choice for kitchens and bathrooms where you don't want to reflect light or glare produced by glossy surfaces. Low sheen paint also includes eggshell paints which come with a low-to-medium level of sheen that can be perfect if you're looking for a mid-point between matte and gloss. Satin finishes meanwhile offer a subtle pearlescent touch that is somewhere between eggshell and gloss in terms of clarity and impression. A full gloss finish will have the most sheen as compared to flat finishes while having good cleaning properties.
Interior surfaces such as walls and ceilings can be painted using any number of different finishes. As a general rule, matte paints are less favourable for bathrooms and kitchens given that they may not repel water droplets or stains very well when used in these spaces rather than paint sheen. Eggshells meanwhile come with a moderate level of shine while satin finishes offer a pearlescent touch, making them ideal choices for living rooms or bedrooms where you don't want an overwhelming amount of more light reflected back at you while you're watching TV or reading a book.
Are you luck enough to live in a heritage home? Brisbane City Council has a handy guide to painting while adhering to strict regulations. Check to see if it applies in your state.