My Handyman in NH - Repairs, Remodeling Renovations for Home and Business

4 Walls Library - How to Choose Your Interior Paint

Many people think that once they have selected their paint colors, they are done. There is a second, very important decision that needs to be made about the type of paint you use and the decision will change depending on the room(s) being painted and the amount of activity that occurs in each room.

A paint's sheen or gloss level is usually chosen based on the requirements for high wearability. Flat gloss paint surfaces normally soil more easily and are harder to clean. High gloss paint is usually tougher and more resistant to damage. While you may use the same color in adjoining rooms, the finish may differ to meet the requirements of the room as outlined below.

Room	Recommended Finish	Requirements
Kitchen	Semi-gloss	Washable & durable paint for areas subject to dirt, grease & moisture
Bathroom	Semi-gloss	Washable & durable paint for areas subject to dirt, grease & moisture
Hallway	Satin	Washable & minimize dirt pick-up
Dining/Living Rooms	Eggshell or Satin	Eggshell has a rich look but minimal washability Satin has a rich look & washability
Family/Play Rooms	Satin or Semi-gloss	Satin has washability & some Semi-gloss very washable; perfect for high traffic areas exposed to dirt, grease, moisture
Bedrooms	Satin	Washable & minimizes dirt pick-up
Garage	Flat	Minimize visibility of surface imperfections; less washable
Ceilings	Flat	Minimize visibility of surface imperfections n
Trim/Baseboards	Semi-gloss or Gloss	Strong, washable surface

Note: No discussion about oil versus latex paints has been included here as there are numerous problems with oil paints, with numerous states no longer allowing their sale. The pros and cons of oil and latex paints:

Latex paints - dry quickly, only need water for thinning and cleanup and have fewer fumes and odors than oil-based paints
Oil paints - provide an extremely durable finish BUT they dry slowly, require mineral spirits for thinning and cleanup and have strong, smelly fumes.

Tina Gleisner, President of My Handyman of Southern NH and the founder of 4 Walls 1 Roof. She publishes Handyman News and 4 Walls 1 Roof, and writes articles about a wide range of maintenance, repair and remodeling projects of interest to home owners. Copyright © 2008 4 Walls 1 Roof.