On the sheen level, you should aim to not go flatter than satin for interior doors. The glossier the finish, the more durable and easier to clean it is.
For Doors: Semi-gloss acrylic latex paint is often the best choice for its balance of durability, ease of application, and maintenance. For Trim: Semi-gloss or satin finishes work well, depending on the desired level of sheen.
When it comes to interior doors & other woodwork, the choice is between an eggshell, satin or gloss finish, depending on the level of durability and the finish you desire. Eggshell as the flattest finish can provide a beautifully modern look, while gloss provides the most durability against scratches and knocks.
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.
For this reason, the paint finishes that are suitable for use on interior woodwork are eggshell, satin or gloss. Eggshell - with the same sheen as an egg, eggshell is perfect for a low sheen finish, but with the required durability and wipeability. For a modern look, eggshell is the best option to go.
Professional painters frequently utilize premium paints, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, for their work. Sherwin-Williams is widely regarded as one of the top paint brands, providing a broad range of premium quality paints, including environmentally friendly options.
Satin paint is a type of paint that has a medium-sheen finish, making it a great choice for interior woodwork that needs to be painted but is not in perfect condition. Satin paint is less reflective than gloss paint, which means it can help hide small imperfections in your woodwork, such as dents, scratches, or chips.
In my opinion, satin paint is the best finish for trim in most scenarios. It has perfect velvety finish, it's durable and easy to clean, and it's more forgiving than semi gloss. However! Semi-gloss would also be a great choice for trim!
Is satin paint too shiny for walls? In most cases, satin paint isn't too shiny for walls. In fact, satin is likely the glossiest sheen that will work on walls. However, if you're looking to hide imperfections on your walls, opting for a flatter finish will be better.
MYTH: Everything should match
Painting all window and door trim, crown molding and baseboards the same colour provides consistency, but is not a rule.
A gloss finish used to be a preference as it was hard wearing. But due to paint technology rapidly moving on in recent years, this isn't the case anymore with just gloss paints. One drawback when using a shiny gloss paint, if your woodwork is old the high sheen can be less forgiving and highlight imperfections.
How to Paint A Door Without Removing It? Step 1: Use painter's tape to cover the hinges. Use your finger to smooth the tape along the edge of the hinge. Protecting the hinges will make it easier to paint the door.
Ronseal Stays White One Coat paint gives a great finish on wood, skirting, trim, doors and window frames. It's non drip and low odour, dries quickly, easy to clean up, plus it's guaranteed to Stay White for 10 years.
Semi-gloss and high-gloss sheens are the best option for interior doors since they will be exposed to high-traffic, scrapes, scuffs, and other potential damages.
Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why we chose this as our ultimate finish for walls. The name eggshell stems from the fact the finish appears mostly flat with just a touch of luster... similar to a chicken egg!
A gloss or satinwood (semi-gloss) paint is best. These paints provide a strong waterproof seal for your door that stops moisture from getting into the wood. They also create a robust finish that can withstand the frequent cleaning needed to keep an interior door looking its best.
Should I paint the front door satin or semi-gloss? Satin finishes are great for hiding imperfections and providing an elegant look that can last longer than other types of paint. Semi-gloss is more durable, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as entryways.
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.
For one level of sheen up from flat or matte, eggshell and satin are good choices. “Satin is slightly shinier, and both are easier to clean than flat or matte paint,” Handel says.
Lower sheen paints hide imperfections and are more difficult to keep clean, but they are less distracting. Semi-gloss is the most recommended paint sheen for doors and trim, but design rules are always meant to be broken. If you love the luxe look of high gloss, go for it.
Satin Paint: When To Go with It
Satin paint also does a good job of moisture resistance which makes it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. And, it offers a moderate time window for drying and curing, which makes it a great option if you're on a tight timeline but don't want to use flat paint, which cures even faster.
Gloss. The shiniest option, high-gloss paint is perfect for surfaces that need a striking appearance and durability, such as cabinets and doors. Use a gloss sheen to highlight room elements like: Wood trim.
Semi-Gloss
This finish is more reflective and durable than satin. Semi-gloss finish is easy to clean and resistant to wear and tear, making it a popular choice for interior doors.
You're not imagining it, gloss paint really is everywhere. Once reserved for shiny white woodwork, full gloss (usually 85-95% sheen) is used fearlessly by designers who paint large surface areas in jewel-bright tones and deep, atmospheric hues.
Two types of paint are optimized for painting interior doors and trim: alkyd/oil-based and acrylic latex/enamel. These are your options if you're searching for the best paint for interior doors. Oil-based paints have been a staple for trim painting for several decades.