Flat Paint: The Best Usage
Flat paint, sometimes called matte paint, is a paint finish with more pigment than any other option. It works well on walls with imperfections or holes. Flat paint gives a room a warm and welcoming feel while being a base for decorations to stand out front and center.
What is flat paint?
Flat paint is a sheen of paint that is the least reflective and contains the most pigment. It is often used in low-traffic areas that receive a lot of light. The paint’s consistency makes it capable of hiding minor imperfections left from the building process. An excellent example of this would be a home remodel project. The years of wear and tear, bumps and holes left on the wall can easily be covered with an extra coat of paint.
Interior Use
Before choosing this sheen of paint, there are a few things to consider. Flat paint is great for hiding imperfections but is not as strong or scrubbable as a satin or eggshell finish. A high-traffic room is not the ideal condition for using flat paint because it's difficult to clean. Using a stronger option would be more beneficial in the long run.
Rooms where you want an extra cozy feeling, are perfect for flat paint. With working from home becoming more prevalent, the need for calm and quiet locations has increased. Flat paint can be an excellent choice for the home office. It offers a calming and warm feeling.
Flat paint is a strong contender if you are looking for paint to complement or highlight your home decor. The softness and light absorption will keep the decor the focal point of a room. Unlike Satin or eggshell paint, there is less reflectiveness.
Exterior Use
Flat paint has become a popular option for homeowners looking to refresh the exterior of their homes. Much like using flat paint for the interior, using it as exterior paint should be used in cases with less traffic, such as doors.
For older houses, flat paint is an excellent option. Its ability to mask blemishes often results in a cleaner, more rejuvenated look. A big pro of using flat paint is avoiding overlap marks. This is true for both brushes and rollers.
A disadvantage of using flat paint is its low tolerance to cleaning. You are also more likely to need to repaint in a shorter period of time. There is the possibility of the paint becoming chalky to the touch from weathering. At this stage, a fresh coat of paint is needed.
If you are going for a modern look, flat paint is great. Using a higher sheen paint for accents can create a look that stands out.
Recap
Here is a quick recap of what was covered.
PROS
Good for low-traffic areas where a calm look is desired.
Covers blemishes well, inside or out.
Good for older homes
Modern Look
CONS
Flat paint is not easily cleaned
May need more coats in a shorter amount of time
Take on a new project With Forrest Paint Co.
Forrest Paint Co. makes it easy to find the right sheen and hue for your next painting project. Their expert staff is available to answer any questions or tell you more about the process. Swing by to get started!