A small change made a big impact to exterior of this cape cod style house. It lacked a sense of cohesiveness. The fascia boards were brown and the front door, window boxes and shutters were blue. We needed to find a way to bring this attractive house up to its full potential. When we looked at the house from a distance it was clear that the roof was the dominant colour that couldn’t be ignored. We picked a dark charcoal paint colour called Iron Ore to use on the fascia boards, the front door, window boxes and the overhead garage doors. It was the perfect compliment to roof shingles and worked well with the brick work next to the front door. The house went from being a wallflower on the street to a classy, eye catching property.
There’s Nothing Wrong With Repainting With The Same Colours
We love the stylish blue-gray colour of this house. It’s one of Benjamin Moore’s historic colours called Templeton Gray. The owner contemplated a change, but opted to have us repaint it in the same colour. Why change what looks great! It had been years since the faded siding looked like the colour it was supposed to be. So the owner still felt like they got a new colour regardless. The trim may be coming across as white in the photos, but it’s actually a light gray that works as a nice compliment to the body colour.
Refreshing The Trim And Front Entry Door
This house looks refreshed after some much needed T.L.C was performed. The trim paint was flaking, peeling and faded. Check out the before and after of the front door!
Adding Contrast To An All White House Exterior
The owners wanted to add contrast to the all white exterior of their home. The roof, gutters, downspouts and soffits were already black so it made sense to paint the trim work and front entry door to match. The classic black and white colour combination has added sophistication and curb appeal.
White Walls Are Not For Everyone
White walls are definitely not for everyone. After purchasing this house the owners lived with the white walls for a while, but they found it too stark. We were hired to repaint the main level of the home with a soft greige colour from Benjamin Moore colour called Gray Mist. As you can see in the before and after photos the Gray Mist colour is still quite light. The change is not dramatic, but the new wall colour gives the home a feeling of warmth. A splash of colour was added with a dark blue accent wall in the office and a dark chocolate wall in the primary bedroom.
Painting Pale Oak Throughout A Townhouse
The new owner of this townhouse was looking forward to changing the colours. When they bought it the bedrooms, bathrooms and part of the living room had dark brown walls. A gray with a strong violet undertone was throughout the kitchen, hallway and the other portion of the living room. The violet colour didn’t work well with the warm amber tones of the flooring and other elements in the home. Overall they wanted to make the home feel updated and brighter.
When looking at lighter sample colours for the walls it became apparent that the trim work was not as white as the owner initially thought. It was too yellow to work with many of the wall colours being considered. In the end the client decided to have us paint all of the trim work and doors with Simply White, a bright white colour from Benjamin Moore. It is a crisp white, but has a slight yellow undertone that gives it some warmth. By changing the trim work to Simply White it gave the customer a much wider variety of colours to choose for the walls. After contemplating and sampling a few colours they ended up choosing Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak. It’s described as a versatile neutral, with warm gray undertones.
What a difference it made by changing the dark brown primary bedroom walls to a lighter colour.
The new look is bright and inviting, but the Pale Oak colour has enough depth and warmth that the bedroom still feels comfortable.
In the photo below the trim work surrounding the door has been painted in the new simply white colour. You can see how white it is in comparison to the door. The colour of the trim work can be deceiving when it’s viewed next to darker walls. It can appear much whiter than it actually is. Find something that you know is close to true white and hold it up to your trim work and doors. It will help you to see how white or in this case off-white they are.
The original yellow toned doors and trim work would not have worked well with the Pale Oak colour or many of the other colours the client was considering. It looked very off putting when we painted a sample of Pale Oak next to it and it barely had any contrast.
Paint Sheens Explained
Sheen is a measurement of the amount of light reflected from a painted surface. It’s the gloss level of the paint finish or lack of it. The higher the sheen the more reflective it will be. Picking a sheen can be as overwhelming as choosing a paint colour, but it’s an important part of deciding how you want a space to look and feel.
Choosing a sheen can be confusing because some manufacturers use names for their paints that are different than the common industry standards, like eggshell and satin. To further complicate matters, you can’t assume that eggshell paint will be the same across the board through all manufacturers. One company’s eggshell paint might be shinier than another.
Talk to the salesperson at a paint store about the characteristics of their particular paint sheens or ask your painter who will be familiar with the sheen level of the products they use.
If you’re more confused than ever about paint sheens, don’t worry we’ll dive into deeper detail.
Types Of Paint Sheens
Most paint sheens are available for interior or exterior use. Here are some of the options:
- matte or velvet
- eggshell or low lustre
- satin or pearl
- low gloss or soft gloss
- semi gloss
- high gloss
Flat And Matte Paint Sheens
A true flat paint has no visible sheen and therefore no reflection. It does a good job of concealing surface imperfections. This is why it’s the most common paint finish for ceilings. The drywall tends to be less than perfect and you don’t want lights reflecting off of every flaw. Some companies have a paint they call flat, but it’s has some sheen so it’s not a true flat. Painters will often seek out what’s deemed as a “dead flat” paint for applying to ceilings.
Matte paints have a bit of sheen, but less than eggshell. The lower reflection helps to conceal imperfections so they are a good choice for older walls that may not be in good shape or walls with drywall issues.
Matte walls are a popular choice of interior decorators. The matte sheen doesn’t really absorb or reflect too much light so what you see is the truest representation of the colour. It tends to give a velvety looking finish, especially noticeable in deeper colours.
Flat and matte paints are more forgiving when trying to do touch-ups, but they do have drawbacks. Improved paint technology created more durable flat and matte paints but they are still not the best choice for areas with high traffic or abuse. Their more porous nature (more so in flat paints) can make it difficult to remove stains and they don’t hold up as well to abrasion.
Eggshell Or Low Luster Paint
Eggshell or low lustre has a slight sheen that is higher than matte, but lower than satin or pearl. It’s the most commonly used sheen for interior walls. It may not look that different from matte paint when viewed straight on, but from even a slight angle you can see that it has more sheen.
Technology advancements have created high-quality eggshell paints that can be extremely durable. They can be used in spaces where traditionally a higher sheen was more suitable such as kitchens and bathrooms. You can choose an eggshell paint that has been designed to hold up to moisture and humidity and has mould and mildew resistant properties.
Eggshell seems to be the sheen that varies the most between paint manufacturers. One company’s eggshell can be more like a satin, whereas another company’s might be closer to a matte finish.
Satin, Pearl And Low Gloss Paint
As satin and pearl sheens have become more durable they have been the home decorating trend for doors and trim work for the last decade or more. It’s a nice sheen for highlighting architectural details, it gives a bit of distinction from walls that have an eggshell or matte finish.
Satin finishes are also used on exterior house trim and sometimes on siding. It can repel water and is more resistant to dirt and stains than lower sheens. It’s also a popular choice for exterior doors.
Low gloss is a sheen some paint manufacturers offer. It has a sheen slightly higher than pearl or satin and slightly lower than semi-gloss paint. It’s another option that is suitable for trim work and doors.
Semi-gloss Paint
Semi-gloss paint has a lot more sheen than eggshell and is a step up in sheen from pearl or satin. It has a fair bit of reflection, is resistant to dirt and scuff marks and is easy to clean. It used to be the popular choice for trim work and doors but has dwindled in popularity in favour of satin and pearl finishes.
Kitchens and bathrooms were commonly painted with semi-gloss because it was the best finish for washing off food stains and could withstand the humidity in bathrooms. There are now plenty of high-quality eggshell sheen paints designed for use in these spaces. Semi-gloss would still be the best solution in high-grease areas like commercial kitchens or where trim work receives a lot of abuse.
High-gloss Paint
High gloss is the highest sheen of all the paints. It’s extremely glossy and highly reflective. It can be a bold and glamourous finish, think of a shiny black piano as an example of a high gloss finish. The surfaces need to be near perfect. Any flaw will be enhanced so proper surface preparation is a must. Application by brush and roller is not recommended. The best finish will be achieved by a person experienced in spraying paint. Surfaces you may see it used on are front entry doors and cabinets.
Summary Of Paint Sheens
Lower Sheen Paints
- help hide surface imperfections
- can have a more user friendly application
- easier to touch up
- less washable
- can hold onto stains
- not as durable
- lower reflection, shine and glossiness
- give a truer appearance of a colour
Higher Sheen Paints
- can enhance surface imperfections
- can more readily show brush and roller marks
- can be difficult to touch up
- stand up better to washing
- more stain resistance
- increased durability
- higher reflection, shine and glossiness
- can be harder to see true colour when there’s a lot of reflection or when viewed at angles
Everything above is not a hard and fast rule when it comes to paint sheens. The quality of the paint can greatly affect its durability regardless of the sheen level. A high-quality paint of a lower sheen will have greater durability than a mediocre paint of higher sheen.
The characteristic properties of a particular paint may make it level out better and therefore not show brush or roller marks as much. Or it may touch up better or have some additive that makes it more scuff-resistant, regardless of the sheen.
What Are The Most Common Choices For Interior Paint Sheens?
Eggshell sheen remains the most common choice for the interior walls of a house and a satin or pearl sheen for trim work and doors. Matte has become more popular. It can even be used in a bathroom thanks to innovative paints like Benjamin Aura Bath And Spa matte finish.
Sheen choice can be a matter of personal preference, some people find shiner surfaces attractive and others prefer a matte look. The intended use of the space should be taken into consideration as well as aesthetics when it comes to choosing a paint sheen.
Examples Of Sheens Used In Home Interiors
The photo below shows walls with an eggshell sheen paint and a semi-gloss on the trim work. The increased reflection can be seen on the trim work.
In the room below the decorator chose to use the same colour on the walls, baseboards and trim work. In a space with lower ceilings the use of a continuous colour from the bottom to the top of the walls can give the illusion of more height. There’s no break up of the wall with a different colour. To give the trim work and baseboards some distinction from the matte walls and a more durable finish they were painted with a satin sheen paint.
Completely white interiors have been a trend for the last few years. In this home the walls have been painted with durable matte paint and a satin sheen paint has been applied to the baseboards.
The interior of this modern home has a matte sheen on the walls and pearl sheen on the trim work, baseboards and doors. It depicts the subtle and soft look the owner wanted to achieve. These lower sheen finishes don’t draw attention so they allow the other décor to equally be a part of the overall design.
Using higher sheen paints that would cause more reflection on the walls and trim work would not have worked with the particular style of the home.
This rancher has detailed interior trim work and crown mouldings. The homeowner didn’t want a lot of reflection that occurs with semi-gloss paint. A pearl sheen paint was used on the trim work and doors. It offers durability and a bit of distinction from the eggshell sheen on the walls.
Choosing Paint Sheens For Exterior Surfaces
When choosing the sheen for exterior painting it is important to think about the practical considerations of the paint and not just how it looks aesthetically. A flatter paint will hide imperfections better but it can hang onto more dirt and won’t hold up to abrasions and scuffs as well. A higher sheen paint will be easier to wash and you’ll find that dirt won’t adhere or stain the surface as easily.
The drawbacks to a higher sheen are more reflection which may not be a good look for surfaces with patterns or texture. This is why most wood siding is stained or painted with a flat sheen. Stucco is usually painted flat as well. Hardie board siding is usually painted flat, but some people choose to use a satin sheen. The wood trim work on Hardie board houses is usually painted with a satin sheen paint due to its ability to repel water and dirt that window sills and other trim work are more prone to collecting.
Examples Of Sheens Used On Exterior Surfaces
A decorator directed the sheen choices for this house’s exterior. They wanted a flat sheen paint used for the siding which gives an overall softer look to the house. It also allows the deep midnight blue colour to be fully appreciated due to the lack of reflection. A high-quality flat paint was used, but it will be more prone to scuffs and dirt retention in comparison to a higher sheen paint of the same quality.
When looking down the siding at an angle there is no visible reflection in the flat paint finish.
The house has a satin sheen paint on the Hardie board siding. There is no right or wrong decision, the pros and cons need to be weighed for each sheen choice and the preference of the look.
You can see the reflection of the satin sheen paint on this Hardie board siding. Notice how it highlights or enhances the texture of the siding. The benefit of the high-quality satin sheen paint on this house is the resistance to dirt and stains.
The reflection on the brown siding of this house is very noticeable even when viewed from straight on. This is an example of how sheen levels can vary between paint manufacturers. Notice how the higher sheen paint takes on a “plastic” look. It is a satin paint, but would be considered a very high level of sheen for a typical satin paint.
The modular home below has Hardie board siding and wood shingles painted with a satin sheen paint and the trim had a stain applied which has a flatter sheen. In the photos it’s hard to see, but the siding has a bit of a sheen to it. However, this particular paint manufacturer’s version of a satin sheen is much lower than some others.
Exterior doors are commonly painted with satin sheen paint. It adds a pop of contrast and boldness in comparison to the siding surfaces of the house which tend to be painted in a lower sheens.
The satin sheen of high-quality paint will offer a more durable, scuff-resistant surface that frequently used doors will benefit from. It also holds up well to being washed or wiped down.
The Hardie board siding and trim work of this home was painted with flat paint. The builder did not want any sheen in the products being used.
These cedar shingles are stained, generally stains have little to no sheen to them. It’s a subjective opinion, but a paint product with a higher sheen would not be an aesthetically pleasing look. The extra reflection and shine would highlight all the texture in the wood.
This modern style farmhouse exterior is painted entirely in a light off-white colour. It’s not easily seen in the photo, but it’s a satin paint that has been used. It’s probably not as noticeable because the siding is vertical versus long stretches of horizontal Hardie board where a higher sheen would be more detectable when viewed from an angle.
Sheen Affects Paint Colours And Paint Colours Can Increase Sheen
Just when you thought you had a good grip on how paint sheens work, it gets more complicated.
We’ve already talked a bit about how sheen affects paint colours or their apparent colour. A matte sheen for example lets you see the most pigment of the colour because of the low reflection. A higher sheen paint reflects any available light, whether natural or artificial it bounces off the finish and skews how you see the colour. The same colour in two different paint sheen can look very different.
Paint tints in larger volumes can alter the sheen of a paint. A very dark or vibrant colour that requires a lot of tint or colourant will intensify the sheen level of the paint it’s put in. It’s not by a significant amount, but something to keep note of if you’re looking at dark colours and you don’t want a lot of shine, go down in the sheen scale.
Why You Should Not Pressure Wash Your House
Pressure washing house exteriors conjures up varying opinions. It can be an excellent tool for certain surfaces but can do more harm than good to a home’s exterior. Houses can withstand a variety of weather conditions, but they were not designed to have high-pressurized water shot at them.
It takes little water pressure to inflict aesthetic damage to wood, such as lines and gouges, and furring of the grain as well as cracking, chipping, and splintering. It’s not only wood surfaces that are vulnerable, high-pressure water can cause window seals to break and brick mortar to loosen.
If you’re pressure washing your house solely for cleaning and not to prepare for painting, extreme care must be taken to avoid removing any paint. Beyond that, the finish may develop marring and areas of variable sheen. This will be an unsightly appearance that will remain until the house is repainted.
Even more concerning is the damage that may not be immediately apparent. Water can get up into your soffits or seep behind your siding. Anywhere a house has gaps is a potential entry point for high-pressure water to work its way in, Once it’s in the wall cavity it can be difficult for it to evaporate.
The siding below is made up of stained cedar shingles. This example of very soft wood can easily be damaged with a pressure washer set too high or brought too close.
How To Clean James Hardie Siding And Related Products?
Just like wood, the finish on Hardie Board siding can end up with marring and all kinds of irregularities from pressure washing. Furthermore, the company itself does not recommend pressure washing its products. Their website has suggested methods for cleaning Hardie Board siding. It states not to use a pressure washer, but only the low pressure of a garden hose and a soft to medium (non-metal) bristle brush as the best way to remove dirt and debris.
Never Pressure Wash A House That Has Lead Paint
It’s never a good idea to pressure wash a house that has lead paint, even if it’s buried deep in past layers. You don’t want to run the risk of lead paint chips getting spread throughout your yard and contaminating the soil. It will continue to pose a threat to your family and any future owners.
What Is The Best DIY Way To Clean A House Exterior?
If you’re doing it yourself, the best approach to cleaning a house exterior is with the use of an extension pole fitted with a medium stiffness scrub brush and a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Don’t use any kind of course brushes or scouring sponges. While it will take more time than a pressure washer, it’s a more effective way of cleaning and is much safer.
Water and the agitation of a scrub brush may be all you need for routine cleaning maintenance of dust and dirt. Extensive residue can be taken care of with a mild dishwashing soap or an all-purpose cleaner diluted in warm water. Avoid any abrasive cleaners.
If mold or mildew are present there are mildew-specific cleaners available. Thoroughly read the instructions for use, some products can be harmful to your plants and grass. Wetting the landscape around your house may be required before use. If you have pets check that the product is safe to use.
Hire A Professional House Cleaning Company To Get The Job Done Effectively And Efficiently
If cleaning your own house seems like too daunting of a task you can hire a professional house cleaning company. The majority of these businesses have a low-pressure washing system, otherwise known as a “soft wash”. They use low-pressure extension wands to apply a cleaning solution from a truck-mounted tank. The debris and dirt are scrubbed before being rinsed away. In some cases, they may employ the proper management of a low psi pressure washer. Reputable companies will ensure water does not get behind your siding.
Pressure Washing Does Not Kill Mold, Mildew And Algae
Pressure washing alone does not kill mold, mildew, and algae. It just detaches it from the house and spreads it around the surface where it can regrow. Furthermore, with areas of accumulated mold or mildew, there is a tendency to increase the pressure or get closer to the surface. This increases the chance of inflicting damage to the house exterior. To kill spores the surface needs to have an appropriate cleaner applied and be agitated before rinsing.
What Surfaces Are Appropriate For Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing can be an effective cleaning tool when used at lower pressures to clean decking and at medium to high pressure for patios, pavers, sidewalks, and driveways. When cleaning these kinds of surfaces, caution must still be exercised. Decking can be harmed with too much pressure and concrete and asphalt can suffer from pitting and surface degradation, as well as having pieces blasted away, particularly at the edges and seams.
Care needs to be taken when pressure washing driveways, patios, and sidewalks near the house. Bits of debris or rocks can get shot at it and cause paint chipping. How do we know this? We’ve been the paint company that’s been hired by the homeowners to fix the damage, usually an overhead garage door. The bill was picked up by the pressure washing company of course.
Is It A Good Idea To Pressure Wash A House To Prepare It For Painting?
Pressure washing is a common method of preparing a house for painting. The goal of trying to blast off loose paint is where a lot of damage can occur. It’s certainly an effective method of paint removal, but it’s a fine line between that and causing damage to the surface. If water gets in behind the siding and then the house is painted and caulked shortly thereafter, it could further seal in the moisture.
In Summary
If any type of surface on your property is being pressure washed make sure the individual doing it is experienced and knows how to handle the machine. The pressure washer is only as effective as the person using it. An unskilled person can easily cause a lot of damage.
A Trim Colour Change To Improve Curb Appeal
You can make a big impact to the look of your house by changing just the trim colour. This exterior was looking rather bland with the faded green trim. The owners had us repaint it in a deep brown colour to add more contrast with the vinyl siding. The overhead garage doors and front door were painted with a light taupe.
A Dark Living Space Is Transformed With Light Greige Walls
The trend for interior repaints continues to be about making spaces lighter and more neutral. In keeping with the trend these owners were ready to move on from the dark green walls and onto something that would brighten up their home.
We were hired to repaint the open concept living, dining and kitchen space and the entry and hallway walls with Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray. It’s a popular warm neutral colour that is considered a greige (a blend of gray and beige).
Before we painted the homeowners said they frequently had to turn on lights during the day because it was so dark. Lighter paint colours can’t create light, but the new wall colour will reflect much more of the natural light that is available.
The drastic change in the wall colour has made it look like a different house.