Choose the right paint sheen

Choose the right paint sheen

Choose the right paint sheen

Trying To Decide Which To Use Flat Or Satin For Exterior Painting

A home, the biggest investment made, represents a vast part of life. Keeping the interior in good shape is common ground for most homeowners. The exterior is often neglected due to lack of funds for needed repairs, weather conditions or procrastination. To ensure the home is at its quality best, the exterior needs to be cared for in order to keep the interior sound. A starting point for most home improvement criteria is painting. Determining which paint is the better choice is often the beginning task. Many people assume exterior siding should always be flat sheen, however, flat paint attracts dirt compared to a higher sheen such as satin or semi gloss. Leaving the home owner to decided, which to use flat or satin for exterior painting projects.

Satin paint is easy to apply and covers well. It has a sheen that attracts light to the home, and is easily cared for. It can be washed time after time without loosing its sheen. If it becomes dull after several months, washing will restore the luster. This type paint is a challenge to weather elements and does not break down as other paints may.

The front entrance door is most likely the focal point of the home as well the highest traffic area. Enhancing the entrance doors with a welcoming color of satin or high gloss will help eliminate painting the door year after year. The paint is washable and can withstand weather and high traffic usage.

Low sheen or satin is normally used for exterior siding. High gloss paints are not as attractive on the home and are usually used for metal fixtures, such as wrought iron railings, or it can be used on entrance doors.

Painting a deck or porch with flat paint usually is a mistake. The paint cannot withstand the frequent washings or the traffic and will after a short while start to show wear and tear and eventually peeling away from the surface. Consider also, it is not as resistant to stains as the satin or high gloss. The higher the gloss, the more stain resistant the paint.

In order to get the final results expected, it is advisable to use high quality acrylic paint rather than oil based or water based. Checking with those who are trained in painting before beginning a project is always a wise move.

Satin paint accentuates the details of the home such as window trimming. It will also bring attention to the imperfections in the wood if not properly applied. If the surface is rough and not sanded before the application, the end results may not be satisfactory. To cover imperfections that may show through, flat and semi gloss can be mixed together, however, it is important to keep in mind that both paints must be the same type product from the same company.

Low quality paints do not usually adhere to the surface and do not dry as hard as their counterparts. Before deciding to use flat or satin for exterior painting, take into consideration the lasting, lustrous effect of the satin compared to flat which will only have a lustrous glow while it is still wet, and will not withstand the elements or many washings as the higher gloss. Using the flat paint on a garage door is a good idea since it does not reflect the light from headlights, and the doors are not a high traffic area.

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