What Sheen paint is best for inside garage?

Author: Ms. Shanna Waters  |  Last update: Thursday, August 28, 2025

A semi-gloss finish is ideal for garage walls as it reflects light and is easy to clean. Thorough wall preparation, including cleaning and priming, is essential for a smooth and long-lasting paint job. Applying at least two coats of paint ensures even coverage and durability, particularly in high-traffic areas.

What sheen of paint is best for garage interior?

Garage Wall Paint Finishes If you want your garage wall to be easy to clean and wipeable, a paint finish with more of a sheen to it is best to use. I would recommend eggshell or satin. Satin finishes will be a little more shiny and wipeable than eggshell.

What kind of paint do you use inside a garage?

However, you can choose a different color for the interior garage walls. Avoid using exterior paint on the interior walls of your garage as they contain anti-mildew additives that can give you allergies in the garage. Always go for water-based latex paint, as it has a minimal odor and dries up fast.

Is satin or eggshell better for garages?

Garage Wall Paint Finishes If you want your garage wall to be easy to clean and wipeable, a paint finish with more of a sheen to it is best to use. I would recommend eggshell or satin. Satin finishes will be a little more shiny and wipeable than eggshell.

Should garage paint be flat or gloss?

If a lighter shade is preferred, a semi-gloss paint is a wise choice. Semi-gloss paint makes dirt less evident and is better for cleaning without showing any wear. If you have garage condensation issues, a more resilient exterior paint might be more ideal.

Paint Sheen Differences Explained In 5 Minutes

Do you need primer to paint garage?

Yes, priming your garage walls before painting is crucial as it helps provide a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to and increases the durability of the paint job.

Should interior paint be flat or semi gloss?

Satin, eggshell and flat/matte are typically best for interior painting of walls. Gloss and semi-gloss paint are best for doors, baseboards, trim, cabinets, and woodwork.

What is the best material to finish the inside of a garage?

Plywood, MDF, or OSB is the best material for building garage walls because it is both inexpensive and easy to work with.

What looks better satin or eggshell?

One of the benefits of satin paint that gives it a bit of edge over eggshell is that it's highly reflective, which makes it ideal for creating a sense of space and light in smaller rooms. It also provides a smooth, even finish that's perfect for creating a uniform look across your walls and woodwork.

Should garage doors be painted flat or satin?

Professional recommendations often lean towards semi-gloss, gloss, or satin finishes as the best choices for garage doors due to their durability, aesthetic appeal, and weather resistance.

How many gallons of paint for a 2 car garage?

An average size 2-3 car garage would take 7 gallons to spray walls and ceilings one color. Garages are usually bare drywall and are all open wall space that eat up paint very fast. A trim pack in a 2500 sqft house would typically be around 7 gallons of trim paint.

Should I paint the inside of my garage with interior or exterior paint?

To put it simply, exterior paint on garage walls is not safe. Don't take shortcuts — take care of your health and your family's health by choosing interior paint for your garage walls.

What is the difference between semi-gloss and satin?

The most noticeable difference between satin and semi-gloss paints is the level of glossiness. Satin has a moderate sheen, while semi-gloss boasts a higher level of shine. Consider your aesthetic preferences and the intended use of the painted surface when choosing between the two.

What is the most popular sheen for interior paint?

Eggshell is the most common paint sheen and the one I recommend for most painting projects. Think of the shine on an egg – that's the luster you can expect from an eggshell finish! It has a bit of shine to it, but not much. Eggshell is easy to clean and durable, which is why I think it's such a popular finish choice.

What is the best paint for inside garage door?

Choosing the best paint finish for your garage door project can be tricky. But as long as you use a primer, latex, acrylic, or oil-based paint should all work well. Many people opt for a semi-gloss or gloss finish so that the paint dries hard and stands up against humidity and regular wear and tear.

Is eggshell paint washable?

Perfect for low- to mid-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, entryways and family rooms. Eggshell paint is more washable than flat sheens, and it resists stains and scuffs.

When should you not use eggshell paint?

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.

Is satin too shiny for walls?

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.

What are the disadvantages of eggshell paint?

The downsides of eggshell paint

Albeit less expensive than other types of paint, eggshell paint will most likely require a coat to spruce the room up much sooner than satin paint would, for instance. It is also rather challenging to freshen up the look of the walls just where it's needed.

What finish for interior garage walls?

A semi-gloss finish is ideal for garage walls as it reflects light and is easy to clean. Thorough wall preparation, including cleaning and priming, is essential for a smooth and long-lasting paint job. Applying at least two coats of paint ensures even coverage and durability, particularly in high-traffic areas.

Why do garages get so dusty?

garages tend to accumulate junk and clutter, giving dust more surfaces to settle on. the moisture in garages makes it easier for dust to “stick” to surfaces. vehicles coming and going and frequent foot traffic stir up settled dust. grass clippings and garden dirt from yard tools dry and break down into dust particles.

Should I finish the inside of my garage?

Finished garages are more comfortable and hobby-friendly

You shouldn't only want a tidier garage because you're passing through it so often, though. Remodel the garage to fit your lifestyle as well. With the right design upgrades, your garage can become more accommodating for your family's hobbies and passions.

What paint finish do professional painters use?

Matte Paint

Regal® Select Interior Matte (N548) is a professional painter favorite for its ease of application and smooth feel after drying. Matte finish paint also withstands frequent washing, even when applied in busier areas like hallways and family rooms.

Why not use satin paint?

Despite its many benefits, one downside is that its glossiness can highlight wall imperfections such as cracks and poorly patched areas. Therefore, it's important to prepare your walls adequately before applying satin paint color to achieve a smooth, professional finish.

What paint hides imperfections best?

Best paint to hide imperfections is going to be a scrubbable flat paint. The more sheen you have, the more likely you're going to see imperfections with raking light across the surface. Also look at your light fixtures in a room and see how they affect how the walls look...

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