The short version: flat or matte on ceilings, eggshell or satin on walls, semi-gloss on trim and doors, and a good exterior acrylic outside. The details depend on the room, the wall and the light.
What sheen should I use for walls and trim?
Use eggshell or satin on walls and semi-gloss or satin on trim. Sheen is how much light the dry paint reflects. More sheen means easier cleaning and more visible flaws.
| Sheen | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Flat or matte | Ceilings, low-traffic rooms, rough walls | Hides flaws, marks more easily |
| Eggshell | Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms | Soft look, wipes clean |
| Satin | Halls, kids' rooms, kitchens, baths | Tougher, shows more wall flaws |
| Semi-gloss | Trim, doors, cabinets, bathrooms | Hard and washable, shows every dent |
| Gloss | Front doors, railings | Needs a very smooth surface |
Eggshell or satin for living room walls?
Eggshell suits most living rooms. It has a low, soft sheen that looks even in strong light and still wipes clean.
Choose satin if the room takes heavy use from children or pets. Valley living rooms often have big west windows, and low afternoon sun across a satin wall shows roller lines and patches more than eggshell does.
Flat or eggshell to hide bad walls?
Flat hides bad walls best. It reflects almost no light, so dents, patches and wavy plaster do not catch the eye.
The cost is that flat paint scuffs and is harder to wash, though modern washable mattes are much better than older flat paints. On old plaster in the Avenues or Sugar House, a good matte is often the best looking choice.
Should trim be satin or semi-gloss?
Semi-gloss is the usual choice for trim because it is hard and easy to wipe. Satin is a fair choice on old trim with many dents and paint layers, since it hides them better.
Use the same sheen on all the trim and doors in connected rooms so it reads as one finish.
What is the best paint for a bathroom or kitchen?
The best paint for a bathroom or kitchen is a washable acrylic in satin or semi-gloss that is made to resist moisture and mildew. Kitchens also need a finish that stands up to wiping off grease.
Paint will not make up for a bathroom with no working fan. Clean and prime any stained or peeling areas first.
What is the best paint for a high-traffic hallway?
A scrubbable satin, or a tough washable matte, is best for a high-traffic hallway. Halls and stairs get hands, bags and shoes along the walls.
Pick a mid-tone color if you can. Very dark and very light walls both show marks. Keep the leftover paint, labeled, for later.
What is the best paint for exterior walls in Salt Lake City's climate?
The best paint for exterior walls here is a top-grade 100% acrylic. Acrylic stays flexible through freeze and thaw and holds its color in strong sun better than cheaper blends.
Sun is the main enemy at 4,300 feet. The valley sees more than 50 days a year above 90 degrees, and winter brings many swings above and below freezing. Stucco does best with a breathable masonry or elastomeric coating. Wood needs primer on any bare spots. Lighter colors last longer than deep ones on south and west walls.
Can I use the same paint inside and outside?
No. Do not use interior paint on the outside, and avoid exterior paint indoors. Interior paint has no defense against sun and water and will fade and fail outside in a season or two.
Exterior paint contains additives for weather and mildew that are not meant for closed rooms. Buy each for its place.
Does expensive paint last longer than cheap paint, and is one brand better than another?
Yes, within reason. Expensive paint has more and better resin and pigment than cheap paint, so it covers in fewer coats, washes better and fades more slowly. HomeGuide lists paint at $20 to $80 per gallon nationally, with interior paint at $20 to $60 and exterior at $30 to $80.
The line within a brand matters more than the brand name. Every major maker sells a cheap line and a top line. Since labor is most of the price of a paint job, the better line usually costs little more overall.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Two coats is the standard, and it is what we apply. One coat rarely covers evenly or wears well.
You need more than two when the color change is large, when the wall is new or patched and needs primer, or with some bright reds and yellows that cover poorly.
How do I cover dark paint with a light color?
Prime first. A dark wall going to a light color or white covers best with one coat of a high-hiding primer, then two finish coats.
Without primer you may need three or four coats of finish paint and still see a shadow. Tinting the primer toward the new color helps.
Why does the same color look different in different rooms?
The same color looks different because the light is different. North rooms get cool, bluish light. South and west rooms get warm, strong light. Lamps, floors and even the lawn outside tint what you see.
Light in Salt Lake is clear and bright, and in winter the snow throws cool light up onto ceilings and walls. Put a large sample on two walls of each room and look at it morning, afternoon and at night before you choose.
What white will not look yellow?
A white with a neutral or slightly cool base will not look yellow. Whites with cream or beige in them turn yellow under warm bulbs and beside oak floors or honey oak cabinets.
Check the chip against a sheet of plain white paper and against your trim. If the walls and trim are different whites, one of them will look dirty. Bulb color matters as much as the paint.
How do I pick an exterior color that matches my roof and brick?
Start from the roof and the brick, because their color is fixed. Pick a paint color that shares their undertone: warm with warm, cool with cool.
Much of the valley has red, orange or tan brick. Warm whites, tans, greens and deep charcoals sit well with it. Stark cool white next to orange brick often looks harsh. Look at samples outdoors in full sun and in shade, since our sun washes colors out.
How much paint do I need?
One gallon covers 300 to 400 square feet with one coat, by the national figures. HomeGuide puts an average room with 800 square feet of wall and ceiling at 2 gallons per coat, so 4 gallons for two coats.
Textured walls and stucco take more. Measure wall length times height, take off large windows and doors, and round up.
Should the painter supply the paint or should I buy it?
It is usually better for the painter to supply the paint. The painter knows how much is needed and which product suits the surface, and is then responsible if the paint is the problem.
If you want to buy the paint yourself, agree the exact product, sheen and amount with the painter first. Ask for the product names to be written in your quote either way.