I'm Chad Heisman, founder of Precision Paintworks. After serving in the military, I built this company in 2021 on a pretty simple idea: your home deserves the same care I'd give my own.
I run a veteran and family-owned painting crew right here in Maryland that has successfully completed over 500 painting projects so far. Got a question about your place? Ask me. I'd rather help you get it right the first time than sell you anything.
Paint finishes come in a variety of types: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Each one affects how a color looks on your walls, how well it hides imperfections, and how easy it is to clean.
So, choosing the right finish for your room is more important than you might think.
I get asked about this on nearly every estimate we do around Bethesda, Alexandria, Fairfax, and the rest of the DMV. Homeowners often select a color they adore and then freeze up when faced with sheen options.
Not too long ago, we painted an entire house in Silver Spring, and the family kept second-guessing their choices for the hallway versus the bedrooms.
What kind of finish for each room?
Eggshell is virtually always found in living rooms or dining rooms. It’s not overpoweringly shiny and renders the sometimes ugly waves in the drywall which are common in a lot of older homes in the DMV.
Eggshell or even flat with bedrooms if you prefer a very calming effect. The wood trim in the walls of this bedroom is still visible due to the “soft eggshell” treatment.
Hallway
Hallways take more abuse from kids, pets, and furniture. Satin is our usual pick here because it wipes clean without looking cheap.
This hallway is a good example of satin holding up.
Kitchen
Kitchens and bathrooms need something that fights moisture and grease. Semi-gloss is the winner. It stands up to steam and cleaning products.
We used it in this bathroom and it still looks new.
Trim, Doors and Cabinets
Trim, doors, and cabinets almost always get semi-gloss or gloss. The extra sheen makes them pop and they clean easily. This front door is high gloss navy. It takes a beating from weather and still looks sharp.
Ceilings
Ceilings stay flat. Anything shinier on a ceiling just highlights every roller mark.
A few things we tell every homeowner…
Higher sheen shows wall imperfections. If the drywall is not perfect we spend extra time on prep or we talk the client into a lower sheen. The same color can look completely different in eggshell versus satin, so we always test samples on the actual wall in the room’s lighting. That is the only way to know.
The five paint finishes from least shine to most
- Flat or matte has almost no shine. It hides wall imperfections the best and works on ceilings or low traffic rooms.
- Eggshell has a soft low sheen. It is the go to for most living rooms and bedrooms because it looks elegant but still cleans up okay.
- Satin sits in the middle. It has a bit more glow and stands up better to fingerprints and scuffs.
- Semi-gloss is noticeably shiny. It is tough, moisture resistant, and easy to scrub.
- Gloss is the highest shine. It looks almost wet and is the most durable but shows every bump in the surface.
Here is a quick comparison we use with clients
| Finish | Shine level | Durability and washability | Hides flaws? | Best rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat / matte | Almost none | Low | Yes, very well | Ceilings, adult bedrooms |
| Eggshell | Soft glow | Medium | Pretty well | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| Satin | Noticeable sheen | Good | Somewhat | Hallways, kids rooms, some kitchens |
| Semi-gloss | Shiny | High | No | Bathrooms, kitchens, trim, doors |
| Gloss | High shine | Highest | No | Front doors, accents, high use trim |
Exterior finishes we use in the DMV
Outside we usually go satin or a low sheen on the body of the house because it hides flaws and holds up to our weather. Trim and doors get semi-gloss or gloss for extra protection and a crisp look.
This house in Northern Virginia got a satin body with gloss trim and door. It has held up through a couple of seasons already.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the several different finishes for paint?
Satin, eggshell, semi-gloss, and flat and gloss. They vary in shine from none to very shiny.
For walls, which paint finish is the best?
Eggshell is perfect for a variety of interior applications. For rooms that are used frequently, opt for satin.
What kind of a finish should be used in bathrooms and kitchens?
Semi-gloss; good moisture resistance and can be cleaned easily.
Which finish is the most suitable for trim and doors?
Semi-gloss or gloss. They should be tough and add some gloss.
Eggshell vs satin?
Eggshell is softer and conceals imperfections better. Satin is also more durable and shines more.
Which colouring is the longest lasting?
The gloss is the most durable and then is semi-gloss. They are the simplest to clean.
We can help you choose the right sheen for your rooms during a free estimate if you’re not sure which of them will work best for your space. We will assist you in selecting the appropriate finish for each room as part of interior painting service and also guarantee our work with a three-year warranty. For years we have been working in Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia.
One of those little things that is important for a paint job to last and look custom is nailing the finish. If you need directions as to which one you should go for your house, just contact. We’d love to come by and view.
