Simple Guide to Interior Paint Finishes | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House paint expert Mauro Henrique teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything anyone needs to know about interior paint finishes, including different sheens and their durability.

Back at the shop, host Kevin O'Connor discusses paint sheens with paint expert Mauro Henrique. Mauro explains the different sheens of paint, including flat, matte, eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss. The two discuss where each of these sheens is appropriate or best suited, including how they've used them on some of the Ask This Old House projects.

Where to find it?
Mauro explains different interior paint finishes, their most common uses, and each of their benefits.

Mauro talks through 5 paint finishes:

NOTE: The higher the luster, the more durable and easy to clean the paint is.
Matte – Low luster, slightly shinier than flat, good for low to moderately trafficked areas like bedrooms.
Eggshell – Soft appearance with a bit more luster than matte, good medium for homeowners because
it’s not too hard to clean, great for dining rooms, bathrooms, and living rooms.
Satin – Has a pearl-like finish, great for trim, kitchen cabinets, or other woodwork.
Semigloss – Provides sleek sheen, another great option for trim and other woodwork, just with a higher shine. Depending on homeowner preference.
Gloss – Very shiny finish, most often used for accent doors, walls, or even ceilings. Most durable of the 5.

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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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Simple Guide to Interior Paint Finishes | Ask This Old House

[deeramos]

Thank you ! Always rely on this old house

[bennyfactor]

what should you use in a closet? Like a walk in closet. So it doesn't get banged up by metal hangers etc

[andrewmaughan]

Want to amplify the light in a room? Paint the ceiling with a high gloss pure white. The various lights in the room will reflect off the ceiling almost like a mirror, but without the need to constantly polish it.

[mortensonaaron]

I like using this one for walls, but this one is good for walls, and for walls I like using this one.

[BradThePitts]

Despite the smell and tough cleanup, I sure miss OIL PAINT. Bonds with the wood and dries to a rock-hard surface. Perfectly sand-able and reparable. Sadly, I live were oil paint has been banned due to VOCs.

[fram]

Just another short but content filled video

[meperson]

He didn't quite explain flat side of the sheen. There is flat, ceiling flat and dead flat. I struggled with spot fixingy ceiling till I learned about those graduations. Flat is quite shiny compared to ceiling flat which is what my ceiling uses. Only white color will come in those very low sheens.

[oogiesmuncher]

didnt mention the fact that flatter paints hide imperfections much better. Thats a huge part of why certain surfaces are expected to have certain sheens

[Guardducks]

I would never paint my ceiling flat, never. I want the light to reflect not absorb light .

[NarwahlGaming]

So many options.
I miss the days when you would just dip your cat in a bucket of paint and let it run around the room for an hour.

[rickfromthecape]

Well, he didn't screw that up....for once.

[bird]

Would a high gloss be good for small bathroom that gets a lot of moisture and low light?