Sheen Or No Sheen For Your Interior Walls? Painting Contractor commits Pros And Cons

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by: nicktaylor
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Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 Time: 3:17 PM
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I have had many homeowners ask for my belief as painting contractor , in connection with the use of gloss paint on interior walls. Although most homeowners understand some of the advantages of using satin, or gloss paint, many do not understand the weakness to their use. Yes, satin, or gloss paint will normally give a richer color tone and more durability, but are the variations in the finish worth it?
Most painting contractors would agree that one could certainly make a suitable argument for using paints with sheen; in spite of this most homeowners are not discerning of the downside to using glossy paint on their walls.
Below are problems linked with using gloss paint.
1. One of the most universal problems with using gloss paint is it causes minor defects in your walls to become visible. Defects that are hidden by flat paint suddenly come alive when using satin or gloss paint. If you receive a reasonable amount of sunlight through windows in the room, it will be even more perceptible. Sheetrock tape joints that are slightly raised or depressed can become evident. Texture variations in the existing wall paint can become visible, etc.
2. Another problem many homeowners are not aware of is gloss paint is notorious for creating a halo effect around windows, doors, and baseboards of your rooms. When walls are rolled in a room, the roller nap leaves a different texture than what a brush leaves when cutting in wall paint around doors, windows, baseboard, and crown moldings. Light reflects differently from the texture left by the brush than from the textures left by the roller nap. This is a very annoying problem that can ruin the appearance of your freshly painted room.
3. If you are planning to paint gloss over existing flat walls, you really need two coats of paint to avoid flashing (unevenness of sheen throughout the wall). Two coats improve consistency of sheen and enhance color tone. This of course, increases your cost.
If you still would like the look that sheen can bring, then follow these suggestions
1. Use very low sheen paint. The use of eggshell, or satin sheens will help minimize the above problems associated with gloss paints.
2. Prep your walls very well. Some of the problems may be beyond the scope of what you or the painter you hire can do. A sheetrock contractor may be your best alternative for major wall repair.
3. Be sure and cut your walls in with a brush before you roll the walls. After the walls have been cut in with a brush, then roll the wall paint with a roller and nap within a quarter of an inch of your trim. Alternatively, you can apply blue tape to all your trim which will allow you to roll up to the trim. This will go a long way in reducing the halo effect. Additionally, purchasing procuring a smaller roller frame and nap will allow you to reach tight areas a standard size roller can't reach. If you touch your trim with the roller, then clean the paint off the trim with a cloth immediately.
4. Plan on putting on two coats of paint to attain uniformity of sheen.
I suggest staying with low sheen paint. They still give that extra richness in tone with a little less problem, especially if the room has a lot of light. If you are going to use flat paint, then recognize not all flat paints are alike. Top of the line flat paints will clean with a smaller amount of damage to the wall than cheaper paint. Be sure the paint you purchase is a scrubbable paint. When you clean flat paint you should use a sponge with water and soap. In no way use a cloth. Cleaning with a cloth will buff the surface, making sheen to appear at that spot. As a painting contractor my recommendation is to take your time in planning and think carefully about what you want to achieve, weighing the pros and cons of using sheen.

About the Author

Nicky Taylor is Owner of Homeowners First Choice Painting Inc. His house painters are 5 star rated. Nicky has owned his Marietta painting company and repair corporation over 28 years, serving all North Atlanta suburs. Nicky discloses his wisdom regarding exterior or interior painting and other home improvement subjects at the above painting contractor link through articles and resource materials.