Pros and Cons of Gloss Paint

Peak Pro Painting • June 13, 2017

If you love the sleek shiny look of gloss paint so much that you want to paint it all over the exterior of your home, there are a few things that you should know before you even lie down your drop cloth. In this article Peak Pro Painting will offer you some crucial information for those DIY experts that are thinking of tackling paints with gloss finishes.

Pros:

One reason Peak Pro loves gloss finishes is their ability to reflect lots of light! Gloss paint is typically easy to clean because dust and debris won’t stick to this type of paint. Our clients love to use gloss finishes in high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens because of how easy they are to clean. However different finishes reflect light differently. And depending on the level of shine the paint provides, the color will be projected differently. If you want to paint with a gloss finish, first you should know whether you prefer matte, eggshell, satin, semi gloss, or gloss. These all offer a different level of shine matte being the least and gloss being the most shiny of the selections stated.

Cons:

First and most importantly, Peak Pro would not recommend gloss finishes on the exterior of your home. Gloss paints are great for bringing light into poor lit rooms and surfaces where sanitation is a priority. But gloss finishes on the exterior of your home would simply reflect too much light and not accurately portray your desired color. We recommend keeping gloss finishes indoors and on surfaces that need to withstand cleaning products. Gloss paint tends to look best on walls without any imperfections. That means, no cracks, bumps, gaps, or other uneven surfaces. Gloss paint tends to amplify these imperfections. Are you one of those painters that paints as fast as possible and then tries to fix the mistakes after the paint has dried? Yikes! Save your time and paint with a matte finish that better hides your imperfections! Repainting over gloss finishes stands out like a sore thumb. That is why you should take your time and use the right tools for the job that does not leave paint brush streaks or fluffy roller marks. However the point of this article is not to tell you how bad gloss finishes are, we want to make sure you make an informed decision and have your home looking great for years to come. Below are a few things to know about choosing the right gloss.

Not all gloss finishes are created equal!

Gloss or Semi-Gloss

Semi gloss paint is a type of finish. It is a very popular finish in high traffic areas and is widely used in bathrooms and kitchens. Gloss and semi-gloss paints are easier to clean and resist scratches better than satin or flat finishes but can actually magnify imperfections on your wall. If you are considering painting with a gloss or semi gloss on the exterior of your home for a little bit of accent color, we recommend keeping it on the trim of your home. Anywhere else on the exterior of your home would appear too shiny.

Satin Finish

Satin paint finishes are a medium gloss finish that allows mild cleaning but abrasive cleaners may ruin the paint, unlike a semi-gloss or gloss finish. Peak Pro loves a satin sheen done right! However this finish does not hide imperfections, any touchups will stand out! A good satin finish will offer the perfect amount of sheen and will not be overwhelmingly shiny.

Flat or Matte

If you are going to paint a brick, stucco, wood paneling, or a wall with cracks and imperfections, Peak Pro recommends you stick with the Flat or Matte paints. Flat and matte finishes hide imperfections better, but dark paints can also reveal imperfections more so than lighter colors.

Keep in Mind when painting with Semi-gloss that most HOA’s also don’t allow it.

If you aren’t the DIY home exterior master, or just don’t have the time. Our Peak Pro home painters will help you paint the interior and/or exterior of your home for you in surrounding areas of Denver CO and Austin TX. Have a business that needs exterior painting in Denver area, Peak Pro also does Denver commercial painting. Click this link to request a quote.

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