Categories: DIY Around the House

Matte Paint 101: What You Need to Know About This Popular Finish

Unsure about the difference between matte and glossy paint? Want to know what makes matte paint unique and how it can be used in your kitchen or home? Look no further! We will break down everything you need to know about this popular paint finish.

From its definition, properties, and advantages to its uses and maintenance tips, this comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision about using matte paint in your next project. Whether you’re a homeowner, designer, or DIY enthusiast, this guide has got you covered.

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What Is Matte Paint?

Because it has little gloss, a matte finish has a smooth, almost powdery appearance. It absorbs light rather than reflecting it, unlike higher-gloss coatings, which effectively hide flaws.

It is one of the most popular options for interior walls because of its low-shine, velvety appearance, but since it is prone to markings and stains, it is better to avoid using it in high-traffic areas.

What’s The Best Way To Use Matte Paint?

A matte finish on the walls of your home would be best avoided if you have pets or kids because it is the hardest to keep clean. However, the paint sheen’s nature is to absorb light, offering little reflection, meaning that you can conceal imperfections.

They are excellent for covering vast surfaces in the home because they require less effort to cover due to their higher pigment content.

Matte finishes are the most economical way to achieve the ideal appearance in your home for individuals who do not want to pay for a more expensive gloss.

Additionally, ceilings, bedrooms, and dining areas with little traffic or dirt are the best places for matte surfaces. The flat finish is also suitable for patched drywall using joint compound or fresh drywall installations with shoddy taping since it conceals wall damage and flaws.

The Benefits Of Using Matte Paint

One of the main advantages of using matte paint in interiors is that it effectively conceals surface flaws. Its shine-free finish also offers outstanding color depth, and its smooth feel after drying makes it a favorite among home improvement enthusiasts.

A further benefit of matte paint is that it looks fantastic in any interior design, whether it be in contemporary or period homes.

As well as softening bold colors so that you can afford to be more daring, its chalky appearance and tactile finish give any space a homey atmosphere.

Matte paint is also quick and simple to apply because of its high pigment content, which results in superb coverage regardless of color choice. Due to its lack of shine, it blends easily and produces a finish that is smooth and streak-free.

The Drawbacks Of Using Matte Paint

Matte paint finishes tend to be less forgiving of scuffs and marks despite being forgiving of faults already existing in the wall. Because of this, specialists ordinarily advise against using them in busy areas.

Since matte paint is good at trapping dirt, standard cleaning techniques may remove the paint in addition to the grime.

Although some businesses have developed scrub-able matte paints to make cleaning simple, matte is probably not the best choice for spaces that are prone to spills, such as kitchens, kid’s rooms, or bathrooms.

Matte Paints VS Flat Paint

The distinction between flat and matte paint is so minor that they can almost be used interchangeably. It’s the gloss level that sets them apart.

In comparison to a matte finish, a flat finish has a somewhat lower gloss percentage, roughly 5%. Durability is impacted by this disparity, despite how slight it is.

Flat finishes are the most forgiving of an uneven surface due to their low gloss level, but they are not washable or wipeable. On the other hand, matte paints are a little more durable and have a generally more solid finish.

Matte Paint VS High-Gloss Paint

The difference between high-gloss and matte coatings is significant. Matte finishes don’t reflect any light, but high-gloss sheens have the highest light reflection rates.

Matte paints are the least resilient and difficult to clean compared to high-gloss finishes. However, matte finishes offer an exquisite, smooth sheen and are more affordable than high-gloss paints in places like ceilings and rooms with little activity.

Wall imperfections hardly stand a chance against matte coatings’ extremely high pigment content.

The best way to conceal those flaws is with matte finishes because a new coat quickly covers surfaces. Our experienced painters must apply high-gloss paints to certain parts of your house since they are highly reflective.

What Should You Consider When Choosing A Paint Finish?

Choosing the right color for your interior makes all the difference. However, the paint finish is just as important. The gloss in each impacts how the color appears to the naked eye, how long the paint will last, and how well it will cover up flaws.

Before you decide to settle on matte paint as your preferred finish, you should take some of these factors into consideration:

Foot traffic – Without a highly resistant paint finish, years of frequent entry and exit into the room might damage the luster of your walls.
Room size and natural light – When choosing a finish, take into account the amount of natural light that enters the space as well as the mood you want to visually express. While higher-gloss finishes will enable more light to bounce across the room, flat finishes’ low reflectivity might help make a wall appear to be receding.
Type of room – It’s essential to choose a finish that shields your walls from moisture, humidity, soap, and even grease from cooking because bathroom and kitchen cabinet and wall paint applications are vulnerable to these substances.
Wall texture – Depending on which finish you choose, the texture of your wall can prevent proper paint application. The flatter the finish you pick, the more the paint will cover up the intricacies and flaws in the texture of the wall.

Final Thoughts

Matte paint is a great choice for the low-traffic areas of your home and is great for hiding imperfections. While it can be more difficult to clean, with the right tools, you can use matte paint to create an incredible interior.