Ready to transform your interior space with a new look? Interior house painting is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to achieve this – but there’s more than just color selection when it comes down to getting that perfect finish. From flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes – our professional painters have you covered! 

Learn all about each paint finish option in this blog post so you can make an informed decision on what works best for your project goals.

Flat/Matte Finish

Flat/Matte Finish is a paint finish that doesn’t reflect much light, making it perfect for interior walls. It has a velvety look that adds depth and texture to the walls. Not only does this finish hide imperfections on your walls, but it also provides a softer, more elegant effect.

Pros:

  • Has a velvety look that adds depth and texture to interior walls

  • Hides minor imperfections in interior walls

  • Provides a softer and more elegant feel

  • Low sheen offers greater color saturation

  • Low maintenance requirements

  • Great for areas with frequent traffic or activity

Cons:

  • Easily washable and therefore less stain resistant than the other finishes

  • Not ideal for high-humidity areas like bathrooms or kitchens, as moisture can cause bubbling or cracking, so an alternative interior wall finish should be chosen instead.

Eggshell Finish

Eggshell Finish is a paint finish that lies somewhere between flat/matte and satin in terms of sheen level. It’s known for its slightly glossy, soft-looking finish and offers a higher level of washability than flat/matte finishes. This makes it a great interior wall finish for areas that need to be cleaned more often, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways. Its versatility also allows it to pair well with many interior design styles.

Here are some pros and cons of using an eggshell finish on interior walls:

Pros:

  • Has a slightly glossy sheen that adds subtle vibrancy to interior walls
  • Provides a higher level of washability than flat/matte finishes

  • Very versatile – pairs well with different interior design styles

  • Provides excellent coverage with fewer coats required.
  • More stain resistant than flat/matte finishes
  • Great for high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways.

Cons:

  • Not as durable as other finishes, so you have to be careful when you clean or scrub surface that has it.

  • Requires more frequent touch-ups due to its less durable nature.

  • Can appear “patchy” if not applied with even strokes during the painting project.

  • Can look dull or chalky over time if not properly maintained.

Satin Finish

Satin Finish is a paint finish that offers more reflection than flat/matte and eggshell finishes but less than semi-gloss and high-gloss. It is known for its subtle sheen that adds a touch of vibrancy to interior walls without being too glossy. This interior wall finish also provides excellent coverage with fewer coats required and is highly stain resistant.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using a satin finish on interior walls:

Pros:

  • Has a subtle sheen that adds vibrancy to interior walls without being too glossy.
  • Provides excellent coverage with fewer coats required.

  • Highly stain resistant with low maintenance requirements

  • Great for areas with frequent traffic or activity.
  • Enhances interior design style ranging from traditional to modern
  • Durable enough to withstand regular cleaning without showing signs of wear.

Cons:

  • Difficult to touch up as brush strokes may be visible after the painting process.
  • Not as reflective as semi-gloss or high-gloss finishes, so it can look dull in certain lighting conditions.
  • Less durable than other finishes, so be careful when scrubbing or cleaning your interior walls.
  • Not ideal for use in bathrooms or kitchens due to moisture content which can cause bubbling or cracking over time.

Semi-gloss Finish

Semi-gloss finish is a type of interior wall finish that provides more reflection than satin, eggshell, and flat/matte finishes, making it the ideal choice for interior walls that need to be bright and vibrant. It is a great way to highlight interior areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and entryways with its subtle sheen effect.

Here are some pros and cons of using semi-gloss on interior walls:

Pros:

  • Has more reflection than other finishes, so it can make interior walls appear brighter and more vibrant.

  • Very durable – can withstand regular cleaning without showing signs of wear.

  • Enhances interior design styles ranging from traditional to modern.

  • Provides excellent coverage with fewer coats required.

  • Highly stain resistant with low maintenance requirements.

  • Great for high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways.

Cons:

  • Not as versatile as other finishes due to its higher sheen level
  • Difficult to touch up as brush strokes may be visible after the painting process.

  • Can look too glossy in certain conditions

  • May require more frequent touch-ups due to its higher reflection levels.

High-gloss Finish

High-gloss finish is a type of interior wall finish that provides the highest level of reflection, making it great for interior walls that need to be bright and vibrant. It is an excellent way to highlight interior areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and entryways with its bold, high-sheen effect.

Here are some pros and cons of using high-gloss on interior walls:

Pros:

  • Has the highest level of reflection among interior wall finishes, so it can make interior walls appear incredibly bright and vibrant
  • Very durable – can withstand regular cleaning without showing signs of wear.
  • Enhances interior design styles ranging from contemporary to modern
  • Provides excellent coverage with fewer coats required

  • Highly stain resistant with low maintenance requirements

  • Great for high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways
  • Easy to touch-up as any brush strokes seem to disappear after the painting process
  • Ideal for use in bathrooms or kitchens due to its moisture content which helps ward off bubbling or cracking over time.

Cons:

  • Can look too glossy in certain lighting conditions
  • Not as versatile as other finishes due to its higher reflection levels
  • May require more frequent touch-ups to keep its reflection levels

  • Can create a glare that may cause eye strain in well-lit interior spaces.

Ultimately, choosing the perfect paint finish for your interior house painting project can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s important to weigh out all the pros and cons of each paint finish before making a final choice. From flat/matte to a high-gloss finish, each has its own unique properties that make it suitable for certain interior design styles or areas in your home. We recommend experimenting with different paint finishes to find one that suits your needs and preferences best.

Expert Interior Painting Company in Frisco TX – Texas Star Painting

If you need help from professional painters to bring out your interior painting project to life, you can rely on Texas Star Painting in Frisco, TX. With years of experience under our belt and a team of expert interior house painters, we will help you choose the ideal paint finish for your walls and tackle your painting project quickly and efficiently. 

Whether it’s for Allen, McKinney, or the surrounding areas, we are dedicated to providing top-notch house painting services at competitive prices. Contact us at (214) 571-7812  for a free estimate, and let us give your home interior a fresh, new look.