Choosing the perfect paint for your residential painting project is about so much more than color alone. You’ll also need to consider durability, finish, and which types of paint work best for different surfaces throughout your home. This is important to think about because using the wrong paint can cause peeling, damage, and costly repairs down the line.
Luckily, the professionals at Timmins Painting are here to help you find the most suitable paint options for your project. In this blog, we share expert tips to help you choose the best type of paint for different surfaces in your home.
Types of Interior Paint Finishes
Paint finish refers to how paint looks and performs once it’s dried. There are many different types of finishes to choose from. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common finishes used in homes:
Generally, the more sheen there is, the easier the paint will be to clean. However, you may notice imperfections more easily with a higher sheen.
Best Paint Types and Finishes for Different Surfaces
Every surface has its own unique attributes to consider when choosing the best paint options. Below are some of the top paint types and finishes for different materials and surfaces in your home.
Best Paint for Interior Walls
Most interior walls are made of drywall or plaster, which is smooth and relatively porous. Water-based latex paint with an eggshell or satin finish will give you a good balance of durability and aesthetic appeal.
For textured walls, consider choosing low-maintenance satin or semi-gloss paint rather than eggshell or matte.
Best Paint for Exterior Vinyl Siding
For exterior vinyl siding, it’s usually best to choose 100% acrylic paint, which will provide the best adhesion. Satin is a popular finish for vinyl siding because it has a slight gloss, which makes it easier to clean while staying minimally reflective.
Best Paint for Brick
Brick is porous, textured, and moisture-retaining. Whether you’re painting your home’s exterior or interior brick features like a fireplace, consider choosing acrylic or latex paint with a flat or satin finish.
Breathable paints like latex help prevent moisture from getting trapped and causing damage, while a flat or satin finish reduces glare and emphasizes the brick’s unique texture.
Best Paint for Interior Wood Surfaces
For interior wood surfaces like paneling, acrylic or latex paint with a satin finish remains the most popular choice. It offers a subtle sheen that’s easy to clean and minimizes the appearance of imperfections.
For high-traffic areas, you may also want to consider semi-gloss for its durability since it resists more moisture and stains, but it may highlight more imperfections than satin or flat.
Best Paint for Exterior Wood Surfaces
For exterior wood surfaces, a popular option is to use a satin finish for the siding and trim, while using a higher sheen option like semi-gloss for doors and shutters. This adds more durability to high-traffic areas and minimizes glare for larger exterior surfaces.
Latex or acrylic exterior paint is typically best for exterior surfaces since it dries quicker than oil-based paint and better withstands the elements.
Enhance Your Home with Expert Painting Services in Sonoma County
When choosing the best paint for your home, it’s important to remember that every surface has unique attributes and needs different types of paint. Consider using water-based paint for walls and large surface areas, oil-based paint for smaller high-traffic areas, and select a finish based on durability needs and sheen preferences.
Need help choosing the perfect paint for your next painting project? At Timmins Painting, we have years of experience helping Sonoma County homeowners transform their spaces with residential painting services. We approach every job with expertise, immense attention to detail, and professionalism.
Contact us online or call (707)-792-0773 to claim your FREE painting estimate today!