Interior paint - semi-gloss vs. satin

vermontmark

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Aug 23, 2022
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Puerto Plata
Our house needs a full interior paint job, which I will do myself. I've done two rooms with a semi-gloss. Great for cleaning but pretty shiny. Anyone have experience with satin here - does it fade into a flat, or does it keep its quasi-shine? I'm outside Puerto Plata.
 
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Manuel01

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Apr 1, 2009
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I'm sure you know this but i say it anyway: NO SEMYGLOSS PAINT FOR CEILINGS !!!!
and... do not buy the "Contractor" Version of any Paint! because it is exactly that; a "Paint for Contractors" (cheaper and it fades twice as fast as the regular one) but who cares, the "contractor" already got paid and so he gets to paint it again even sooner.
 
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flyinroom

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Aug 26, 2012
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Semi-gloss finish for the kitchen and the bathroom and all the baseboards...Areas that will require cleaning from scuffs, moisture or grease buildups.
Eggshell for all the rest.

 

2020

Active member
Apr 10, 2012
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Las Terrenas
I'm sure you know this but i say it anyway: NO SEMYGLOSS PAINT FOR CEILINGS !!!!
and... do not buy the "Contractor" Version of any Paint! because it is exactly that; a "Paint for Contractors" (cheaper and it fades twice as fast as the regular one) but who cares, the "contractor" already got paid and so he gets to paint it again even sooner.

help me understand why you wouldn't put semi-gloss or glossy paint on a bathroom ceiling?
 
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Manuel01

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chico bill

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May 6, 2016
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semy gloss is like waterproofed seal. If you have a filtration of water or any kind of humidity in the ceiling. It will build up and never get out. It might even create a big bubble and tear down the entire ceiling paint at once. For Ceilings you use Acryl Paint.
Open the link to see an extreme example of what could happen..
Try pulling any latex paint off a ceiling - it all acts like a little piece of rubber. Semi-Gloss and gloss are more resistant to fungal growth so it is an absolute must for bathrooms. They have a tighter molecular structure
The only issue that might affect your decision is more reflection of your artificial ceiling lights with a gloss or semi-gloss paint
 
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AlterEgo

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Try pulling any latex paint off a ceiling - it all acts like a little piece of rubber. Semi-Gloss and gloss are more resistant to fungal growth so it is an absolute must for bathrooms. They have a tighter molecular structure
The only issue that might affect your decision is more reflection of your artificial ceiling lights with a gloss or semi-gloss paint

I forget what brand we bought, but our bathrooms are painted with paint that has mold inhibitor built in. We bought it at Ferreteria Americana (while they were open, obviously).
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
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Our house needs a full interior paint job, which I will do myself. I've done two rooms with a semi-gloss. Great for cleaning but pretty shiny. Anyone have experience with satin here - does it fade into a flat, or does it keep its quasi-shine? I'm outside Puerto Plata.
Oh-so-easy to clean and doesn't show fingerprints. I clean mine with Windex when needed. My entire house is semi-gloss.
 
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2020

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I think if you AirBnb a home, semi-gloss is the way to go. Easy to clean!

Otherwise, that new interior paint will look like hell in 1-2 years
 

cavok

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Jun 16, 2014
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I use semi-gloss for the bathroom and kitchen and flat latex for the other rooms. I don't put my hands on the walls, so no real need to ever clean them. I'm sure it's different if you have kids though.
 

mobrouser

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Jan 1, 2002
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The higher the shine the more obvious the flaws are in the the stucco or drywall.
OTH, the higher the shine the easier the clean.
What is more important to you?