Satin Finish It is perfect for high-traffic areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and window trims. This paint finish is more durable and easier to clean compared to flat, but it can also highlight surface imperfections.
Always use flat on stucco and satin for siding and trim. Satin won't be too shiny after a year and is wayyyyy better for longevity, durability, water & fade resistance, and mildew removal with pressure washer going forward. Flat outside on wood or hardy is asking for a future mess and shortened lifetime.
Normally, semi-gloss paint is the best choice for trim work, since high-gloss paints are so shiny that they highlight imperfections.
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.
The reason builders insist on using flat wall paint is it's a way for them to cut corners, significantly. They don't have to do a higher level of drywall finishing, and flat wall paint can be touched up without having to repaint a wall corner to corner during building.
One other thing to consider is that flat paint tends to attract dust more easily than matte paint does. So if you have a busy house, this might not be the best choice for walls or ceilings in high-traffic areas.
Sherwin Williams Extra White SW 7006 / LRV: 86
It's one of Sherwin Williams' most popular paint colors—in fact, most painters give their clients Extra White if they don't know what trim paint white color to use. Many builders also use Extra White as their standard base trim color.
For low-traffic areas like bedrooms, go for flat or eggshell finishes. They're elegant and don't shine too much. But if you're tackling high-traffic spots like hallways or kitchens, satin or semi-gloss finishes are the way to go. They're durable and easy to clean, perfect for those inevitable messes.
Oil-based paint is more durable and long-lasting, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas or scuffed baseboards. It does, however, take longer to dry and is more difficult to clean. We recommend Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Paint.
Color Considerations
We all know that lighter colors emphasize imperfections while darker colors hide them. This also has to do with light and reflection. Lighter colors reflect more light while darker shades absorb it.
Eggshell is the most commonly used sheen for interior walls.
Latex paint is the most popular choice for exterior wood trim because it's easy to use and clean up, dries quickly, and is less likely to fade or yellow over time. One of the big advantages is the flexibility of latex paint.
What paint sheens should you use? The key to making this work well (at least in my book) is to use the same color, but change up the sheen depending on what you're painting. For walls, I like flat or eggshell, and then for the trim, semigloss.
Perfect For: Semi-gloss paint is excellent for trim, window frames, and other details. It offers high durability and is easy to clean, making it ideal for surfaces that are washed frequently.
When to Use Satin Sheen for Your Exterior Paint. Satin finish paints, while not glossy, do have more of a sheen than flat finish paints. Because of the extra shine, satin sheen paints are perfect when you plan to use bright, vivid colors on your home exterior. The satin sheen will reflect light and make the colors pop.
Semi-gloss finish: This is the best finish for your trims such as baseboards, mouldings and even cabinets and doors.
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.
MAGNOLIA HOME BY JOANNA GAINES TRIM & CABINETRY INTERIOR SEMI-GLOSS Paint is a water-based acrylic product designed for surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, trim, window frames and doors. It offers the hardness of a traditional oil-based paint in an acrylic formula.
Cons of Flat Finish:
Not Suitable for High-Traffic Areas: Flat paints are not recommended for high-traffic areas or spaces exposed to moisture, as they are more prone to scuffing, staining, and moisture damage over time.
Medium-Lustre- This higher-gloss finish is perfect for doors and trim.
Cost: Typically, flat paint is a lot cheaper than satin paint, which is more of a premium, high-end, option.
Internal surfaces
Walls are painted in Graysmill cream emulsion as standard throughout except in bathrooms, en-suites and cloakrooms which will be white with smooth white ceilings.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)
This color is apparently used in Joanna Gaines' farmhouse, and frequently used in Fixer Upper episodes. Since everything Jo Jo touches is magic, I had to try this one out! This was the runner up to White Dove for us. It is a soft warm off-white, with a neutral base.