Whether you're embarking on a large-scale renovation or giving a single room a fresh new look, choosing the right paint is crucial to achieving the perfect finish. At KCJ Builders, we know how overwhelming it can be to decide between types, finishes, and brands of paint with so many options available. That's why we've put together this complete guide to understanding and choosing paint for your project.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the different types of paint, the finishes that can impact your design, and the brands we trust for their quality and versatility. We’ll also introduce you to an innovative type of paint with a "Dead Flat®" finish—a rare and game-changing find that allows you to paint walls, wood, and metal with the same pot. So, let’s dive into the world of paint and help you make an informed decision for your next project.
Types of Paint: Finding the Right Match for Your Space
Choosing the right type of paint depends on the surface you're painting and the effect you want to achieve. Each type of paint is designed with specific properties in mind, catering to various areas of your home or office. Below, we outline the most common types of paint, along with their pros and cons.
Emulsion paint is commonly used indoors and comes in a range of finishes like matte or satin. It’s easy to apply, dries quickly, and works well for walls and ceilings. Gloss paint, on the other hand, has a shinier finish and is often used for woodwork, doors, and trim. Gloss paint is more durable and works well in high-traffic areas or outdoors where surfaces need extra protection.
By thinking about the purpose of your space and the mood you want to create, you can confidently choose colours and finishes that bring your vision to life!
Interior Emulsion Paint - Walls and Ceilings
Emulsion is the most common type of paint used for interior walls and ceilings. It’s water-based, low in odour, and dries quickly, making it ideal for rooms that need to be ready for use soon after painting. It also allows the walls to "breathe," reducing the risk of mold growth.
Pros: Easy to apply, quick drying, available in a variety of finishes, low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Cons: Not as durable as oil-based paints, less suitable for high-traffic areas or surfaces requiring frequent cleaning.
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and ceilings.
Gloss Paint - Wood and Metal Paint
Gloss paint is known for its high-sheen finish, which is durable and easy to clean. It's often used for woodwork and trim, such as skirting boards, doors, and frames, where a hard-wearing finish is essential.
Pros: Long-lasting, tough, resistant to knocks and scratches, easy to clean.
Cons: Shows imperfections easily, slow drying, strong odour during application.
Best for: Skirting boards, doors, and radiators.
Satin Wood Paint - Wood and Metal Paint
An alternative to the oil based gloss that is very strong in odour is a Trade favourite, Satin Wood paint. Although less durable than Gloss, it can also be used on high traffic areas and has excellent coverage, a mid-sheen finish that falls between gloss and eggshell.
Pros: Great coverage, less smell, durable, subtle shine.
Cons: Colour fades quicker and can wear easily due to matt finish.
Eggshell Paint - The Sheen in-between
Eggshell has a low-sheen, smooth finish that sits between matt and gloss. It’s more durable than emulsion and ideal for surfaces where you want a softer sheen but still need a paint that can handle wear and tear.
Pros: Subtle sheen, durable, washable.
Cons: May not hide imperfections as well as matt finishes, more expensive than emulsion.
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, and woodwork.
Dead Flat® Paint – The Innovative All-in-One Solution
"Multi-surface for walls, woodwork and metal, take it across panelling, ceilings and radiators for effortless transformations with just one finish." - Farrow & Ball.
A rare gem in the painting world, Dead Flat® paint by Farrow and Ball is an innovation in paint and only sold by Farrow & Ball. It is a versatile and revolutionary product. "The new formulation is washable, wipeable and scuff resistant, making it ideal for hallways, living rooms and playrooms." - Farrow & Ball.
What makes this paint so innovative is its ultra-matt finish combined with exceptional coverage. Unlike traditional paints that require separate products for different surfaces (such as one for walls, another for wood, and a different one for metal), Dead Flat® can be used on all three. This versatility not only saves time but also creates a more cohesive look throughout your space.
Pros: Can be used on multiple surfaces (walls, wood, metal), low-sheen sophisticated finish, hides imperfections, excellent coverage.
Cons: Harder to find in some brands, more expensive than standard paints.
A seamless look on walls, woodwork, and radiators with a flat, modern finish.
Masonry Paint - Bricks and External
Masonry paint is formulated for outdoor use, designed to protect and enhance exterior walls, brickwork, and concrete surfaces. It offers weatherproofing and durability in the face of harsh conditions like rain, wind, and UV rays.
Pros: Weather-resistant, UV-stable, protects against damp and mold.
Cons: Typically thicker, harder to apply evenly, more expensive than standard paints.
Best for: Exterior walls, garden walls, and brickwork.
Paint Finishes: The Final Touch That Defines Your Style
The finish of your paint can dramatically change the look and feel of a room. From high-sheen gloss to velvety matt, each finish has its own characteristics. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular finishes.
Gloss
"Gloss is a shiny finish designed for woodwork and it reflects lots of light – so is perfect for paler colours. You have to have a great surface to make it look its best, but it is hugely practical and adds a lovely contrast to walls that are painted in a matt finish." - Dulux.
A shiny, reflective finish that’s durable and easy to clean. Best for woodwork and metal.
Pros: Hard-wearing, reflects light, easy to clean.
Cons: Highlights imperfections, strong odour during application.
Eggshell
"Eggshell has less of a sheen than silk or satin and it does look like the surface of an eggshell (the clue's in the name). It sits somewhere between matt and a silk finish and gives a beautiful classic look to woodwork – and can also be used on walls when you want a heritage style look with a tough finish." - Dulux.
Low-sheen with a soft, smooth finish. Great for a subtle look in high-traffic areas.
Pros: Washable, hides minor imperfections, subtle shine.
Cons: Slightly less durable than gloss.
Matt
"...Matt surfaces don't reflect light, they make all colours look as similar as they can be in very different light conditions. Flat matt works wonders on deeper shades, too." - Dulux.
A non-reflective finish that gives a soft, modern look. Ideal for hiding wall imperfections.
Pros: Excellent for hiding imperfections, soft look.
Cons: Less durable, harder to clean.
Satin & Silk
"Satin and Silk are 'mid-sheen' finishes, which means they look like a slightly polished surface and reflect a bit of light. Silk is a finish associated with walls and satin for woodwork. You can wipe silk wall finishes easily which makes them very practical but if you have less-than-perfect walls, all the lumps and bumps may show up a bit more. A satin finish on woodwork helps to hide imperfections and gives colour a softer appearance." - Dulux
A mid-sheen finish that falls between gloss and eggshell. It’s smooth and slightly shiny, offering a touch of elegance.
Pros: Durable, easy to clean, subtle shine.
Cons: Shows imperfections more than matt or eggshell finishes.
Vinyl Matt
Vinyl matt paint adds extra durability and washability to the traditional matt finish, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
Pros: Durable, washable, retains a soft look.
Cons: More expensive than standard matt.
Paint – Understanding Colour
When it comes to choosing paint, understanding colour is key to transforming any space, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. The right colours can affect the mood, size, and feel of a room, and the type of paint you choose—like emulsion or gloss—plays a role too.
Selecting Your Colour Scheme
The first step in choosing the perfect colour is to think about the atmosphere you want to create. Light, neutral tones like whites, creams, and soft greys tend to make a room feel larger and more open. These are great for small spaces or rooms with little natural light. On the other hand, deeper, warmer colours like reds, oranges, and earthy tones create a cozy and intimate feel, perfect for living rooms or bedrooms.
For outdoor areas, lighter shades like pale blues and greens can reflect sunlight and give a fresh, airy feel, while deeper colours like navy or dark grey offer a bold, striking look.
Complementary Colours
A great way to build a cohesive colour scheme is by using complementary colours—these are opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange or purple and yellow. When used together, these colours create balance and contrast, making your space pop without clashing.
For a softer look, consider using analogous colours—those next to each other on the colour wheel, like blue and green or pink and red. This approach gives a more harmonious and subtle transition between shades, ideal for bedrooms or relaxing spaces.
Understanding Shades and Tones
If you're aiming for a more sophisticated and layered look, work with different shades of the same colour. For example, if you love blue, you can create depth by using light blue on the walls, a mid-tone blue for furniture or accents, and a darker navy for details like trim or accessories.
For outdoor spaces, lighter shades generally work best as they won’t absorb as much heat from the sun, and they tend to weather more gracefully over time. Indoors, darker shades add drama and richness, especially in rooms where you want to create a sense of warmth.
Brands of Paint: Quality You Can Trust
When choosing paint, the brand you select can have a big impact on the quality of the finish and the ease of application. At KCJ Builders, we work with several trusted paint brands, each offering unique benefits depending on your project’s needs.
Dulux Retail and Dulux Trade
A trusted name in the UK for decades, Dulux offers a wide range of colours and finishes. At KCJ Builders, we have access to an in-house paint mixer for Dulux Trade, allowing us to provide thousands of custom colours for your project. Dulux Trade is known for its high-opacity, durability, and ease of application.
Pros: Huge colour range, high-quality finishes, easy to apply, long-lasting.
Cons: More expensive than budget brands.
Best for: Homes and businesses looking for premium quality and custom colour options.
Farrow & Ball
Farrow & Ball is famous for its rich, deep hues and high-quality finishes, which are only available through their brand. They use eco-friendly ingredients and offer a unique Dead Flat finish that sets them apart from the competition.
Pros: Rich, deep pigments, eco-friendly, unique finishes (Dead Flat, Estate Eggshell, etc.).
Cons: Expensive, limited availability of colour mixing.
Best for: High-end projects, period homes, and those looking for sophisticated finishes.
Little Greene
Little Greene is a premium brand known for its historical colours and eco-friendly formulations. Their paints offer excellent coverage and durability, and their finishes range from matt to gloss, making them ideal for both modern and traditional homes.
Pros: Excellent coverage, durable, environmentally friendly, historical colour options.
Cons: Expensive, but worth the investment for quality.
Best for: Homes where rich colours and eco-friendly options are a priority.
Leyland Trade
Leyland is a more budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise too much on quality. It offers a solid range of paints at affordable prices, making it ideal for DIY enthusiasts and smaller projects.
Pros: Affordable, good quality for the price, easy to apply.
Cons: Limited colour range compared to premium brands, less durable over time.
Best for: DIY projects, smaller budgets, and rental properties.
Crown Paints
Crown Paints is a reliable low budget brand known for its affordable yet high-quality products. They offer a variety of finishes and colours, with a focus on providing value for money.
Pros: Cheap and affordable, available in most finishes.
Cons: Not as durable as premium brands like Dulux or Farrow & Ball.
Best for: Lower budget projects, and small spaces.
Conclusion: Choosing the Perfect Paint for Your Project
At KCJ Builders, we believe that the right paint can transform any space. Whether you’re looking for the durability of gloss, the sophistication of Farrow & Ball’s Dead Flat finish, or the versatility of Dulux Trade’s custom colours, choosing the right type of paint and finish will ensure your renovation or decoration project achieves the desired result. With so many brands, finishes, and types to choose from, we hope this guide has provided you with the knowledge to make the best choice for your home or commercial space.
For personalised advice, professional painting services, or access to thousands of custom Dulux colours, get in touch with KCJ Builders. We’re here to help you create the perfect finish for your next project!
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