Usually ceiling paint is extra flat and extra white. This would not be a very good paint for trim. Trim usually has some gloss,semi-gloss,high gloss etc. Flat would be more difficult to keep clean especially on surfaces that are handled and contacted often like doors etc.
Semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes are best for trim and molding. Semi-gloss has a higher gloss level than a satin finish, but isn't as shiny as high-gloss.
Yes, you can use interior paint on wood surfaces. Interior paint offers a fantastic way to revitalise old furniture, cabinets, or even walls with a fresh coat of colour.
Painting your ceiling and trim the same shade is usually the BEST choice. This is a smart choice for longevity and flexibility – assuming your trim is a reasonable shade of white.
Using ceiling paint on your walls can make the painting process much smoother, as it minimizes the time needed to fix noticeable drip spots. However, ceiling paint has limited color options, so consider using it as a primer if you want a more vibrant color on your walls.
Yes. The decision to use ceiling paint on walls is sometimes a matter of setting aside style for convenience. For example, using ceiling paint to paint closets is an easy way to avoid the hassles of taping ceilings and baseboards when doing a renovation or painting a new building.
In some cases, using ceiling paint as a primer might work, especially if you're painting over an already smooth and painted surface.
Most ceiling paints have a flat (or matte) finish. A flat finish doesn't reflect lights and will hide most irregularities and defects in the ceiling. On the other hand, reflective sheens draw the eye upward and can detract from the rest of the room. Another benefit of a flat finish is that it doesn't scuff easily.
The best paint finish for trim
Semi-gloss is a great choice for these areas. A semi-gloss paint finish will read "shinier" than an eggshell. The shinier finish gives it more durability - making it even easier to clean with a harder dried film that is tougher and can take more wear and tear, but there's a downside.
Many people ask us: does trim have to match throughout the house? And it doesn't! Trim, just like interior doors, can use different styles and colours under one roof, and we have some photos to prove it.
Ceilings should almost always be painted in a flat, matte acrylic paint. The reason for this is that: Flat paint will not reflect light or draw attention away from the wall and room furnishings. Ceilings don't receive much wear and tear, so a glossy, durable paint is not necessary.
The higher the sheen, the more light it reflects and the more durable it is to scuffs and marks. Matt paint is generally not tough enough to resist knocks, plus it can gather dust and be difficult to clean. For this reason, the paint finishes that are suitable for use on interior woodwork are eggshell, satin or gloss.
You'll need to pick a different finish for your woodwork, which requires a more hard-wearing paint type than wall emulsion.
Spray The Trim With A First Coat
It's time for your first top coat, which should be a high quality trim paint! At Culver's Painting, we use Sherwin Williams' Pro Classic or Emerald Urethane. These premium products are specially designed for woodwork and will provide a beautiful and durable finish.
One of the most common paint color choices for trim is white because it offers a classic, clean appearance. Whether you are looking to brighten a kitchen or simply clean up the look in a living or dining room, you might consider simply painting the trim white.
Oil/Alkyd. Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil/alkyd-based paints excellent choices for trim in high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
You won't have to buy two different types of paint; the look will be consistent across the walls and ceiling. However, in other instances, it may look better to contrast the finish but keep the color the same, with semi-gloss on the walls and trim and flat on the ceiling.
The most common and best sheen for interior trim is a satin or semi-gloss finish. Satin paint finishes have a medium sheen and are durable and easy to clean. Semi-gloss paint finishes have a higher sheen and stand out in a room. They are easy to clean and stand up to dirt, stains, mold, and mildew.
Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.
Since there is no such thing as “trim paint,” the quality paint you use on your walls or ceiling is perfectly fine to use on trim, with many homeowners opting for a higher sheen to differentiate from the paint on their walls.
Paint rollers are very popular, especially when painting large areas of space like walls or ceilings. They are much quicker to use than brushes, covering the area in a fraction of the time. Plus, when used properly can create a smooth, even finish.
The thickness of ceiling paint means it does not drip as much as wall paint does. Wall paint is thinner—you don't have to worry as much about drips, more the paint running down the wall if you put too much on, but gravity is not working as hard on it as with the ceiling.
Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
How many coats of paint do I need? Generally, you will want a minimum of two coats of paint – this is a good rule of thumb for any wall or ceiling you're painting. You'll rarely get a seamless finish from just one coat of paint, and even if you do, coverage isn't the only goal when it comes to painting a room.