When painting your Seattle home, choosing the best finish is as crucial as choosing the right color. Not only does the finish impact the appearance of your walls, but it also affects their longevity and ease of care–things that are especially important in Seattle’s frequently damp and fluctuating climate. Whether you’re updating the interior or exterior of your home, knowing the different paint finishes and how they compare to one another will enable you to make an informed decision that will ensure your home remains looking great for years.
Why Finish Is a Critical Factor in Seattle’s Climate
Seattle has a reputation for rain-associated dampness, weight, and shifting humidity levels. Painted surfaces can be difficult in these circumstances, especially on the exterior of your house. The perfect finish is not only visually appealing, but it also protects against damage from moisture, mold, and mildew in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Some finishes work well for heavily trafficked indoor spaces, others accent architectural elements, or offer an easily cleanable surface.
Popular Paint Finishes and When to Use Them
Flat or Matte
Finishes are the opposite of shiny; they do not reflect light and are great for hiding imperfections on walls, so they are often used on ceilings and older homes. But flat paint won’t hold up as well and is easier to soil; it’s best reserved for low-traffic areas inside. Flat finishes are porous and not recommended for exterior use and wet Seattle weather.
Eggshell Finish
Eggshell animates; it has a subtle shine that adds an overall warmer, softer look and feel to living rooms or bedrooms, or halls. It’s a bit of both flat and satin, offering some durability and washability. Eggshell can be an all-rounder for the interior of a lot of Seattle homeowners’ spaces, adding a delicate sheen with not too much shine.
Satin Finish
Satin finishes give a warm, pearl-like appearance that is low gloss and highly wear-resistant. This finish is perfect for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and children’s rooms. Because satin can handle moisture and frequent cleaning without losing its sheen, it’s a great option for inside Seattle homes.
Semi-Gloss Finish
It is recommended for a noticeable shine and great durability. It’s typically used with trim, doors, cabinets, and occasionally in a bathroom or kitchen when moisture resistance is required. The semi-gloss finish is water-resistant and easy to wipe clean, and therefore a significant decision for a home in the humidity of Seattle.
Gloss Finish
High gloss is the shiniest and most durable finish. Less commonly on the walls, gloss is good for playing up architectural details, molding, and furniture. It can highlight surface flaws because of reflectiveness, so you need good prepping for gloss.
Exterior House Finishes–Keeping Your Seattle Home Safe
For a property exterior, the finish of the paint is not only a matter of appearance but involves weatherproofing challenges. (Satin and semi-gloss finishes are often favored for siding and trim, because they resist moisture and mildew more effectively than flat finishes.) You can even avoid peeling and cracking from Seattle’s rain if you use a high-quality exterior paint that has the right finish.
Not sure which finish will work best for the exterior of your Seattle home? An established paint contractor in Seattle can help. They are knowledgeable of local climate and can advise on what products and finishes are best suited to your home’s climate while recommending the perfect materials that will resist moisture without sacrificing your home’s look.
More Tips for Selecting the Perfect Finish
Think of the Surface: If the surface is smooth and sanded, more light will be reflected off of it, and therefore, high-sheen will be the best choice, but if the surface is rough, then it can handle higher losses that will also help mask imperfections.
Think Access: High-gloss and semi-gloss finishes are easier to wipe clean, which can be a plus if you are working in a space with a lot of dirt or moisture.
Paint Samples: Before you buy, test those paint samples on your walls to see how they look under both Seattle’s perfectly filtered natural light and orc-like artificial light.
Leave it to The Pros: Turning to a professional Seattle painting company means the work goes beyond just painting; it also involves surface preparation and application, just like when you pick the right paint finish.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the perfect finish for painting your Seattle home is crucial to its preservation and longevity. No matter if you like the understated look of eggshell or the durability of satin, understanding the properties of each finish type can steer you in the right direction when shopping for paint. For best results, hire a reputable painting company in Seattle that understands how to safeguard your property from the area’s specific weather threats while improving its curious curb appeal.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
