Is Flat Really the Best Paint Gloss for Ceilings?
All you hear when it comes to paint gloss (or sheen) for ceilings is flat. When you buy a can of ceiling paint is automatically comes in flat–no other choices. Is flat really the way to go?
Best Answer
Yes. If you had to pick just one sheen, flat would be the one that universally works for all rooms of the home.
Because
Flat or matte paint sheen cuts down on ceiling reflection. While there are exceptions to be made (below), flat tends to be the one sheen that universally works for most ceilings. Also, because ceilings run continuously from room to room, with no division points (such as doorways and trim), it is difficult to change sheens throughout the house. So, it is best to stick to one sheen.
Qualifiers
- “Universal” Means Democratic: And in a democratic society, there will be winners and there will be losers. The loser, in this case, would be the bathroom ceiling, where flat seems to be a farm for mold and mildew. This is one room you would want to paint in semi-gloss or glossy paint.
- When You Have Bumpy Textures: If you have a textured ceiling, using a flat sheen can be detrimental. Textured ceilings–popcorn, knock-down, or otherwise–can trap cobwebs, dust, and other debris. Using a paint with an eggshell or satin sheen can help with cleaning the ceiling.
- When You Want Effect: You can also paint the ceiling in higher glosses for dramatic effect. One blogger notes that she accidentally ordered Benjamin Moore Pearl sheen, and it made her ceiling look higher. One designer said that she used a high-gloss sheen simply for dramatic effect.
Voices
Sources pretty much resoundingly say flat–truth or are they just parroting what others say? Because the paint manufacturers will tell you whatever it takes to sell paint, I was especially interested in what DIYers, designers, and architects said.
“…you should always paint the ceiling with a flat finish.”
Flat. “Painters once used semi-gloss finishes on kitchen and bath ceilings, thinking it would hold up better and show less staining from moisture and cooking…”
“Bottom line, use flat for ceilings–unless you are designing something very dramatic, like [a] high gloss ceiling.”
“… sheen between an eggshell and a semi-gloss” because “the ceiling with the sheen looks 2 inches taller!”