Types of Interior Paint and Finish

If you’re new to decorating, the range of interior paints available can be somewhat overwhelming and choosing the right type of paint for the job and surface you are painting is essential to ensure a top finish.

To aid you in making the right decision we have put together a short and concise guide on the types of interior paint and the different surfaces they can be used on, read on below to find out.

Painting Interior Walls

As there are quite a few different types of interior surfaces, we will start with one of the most common to get a paint-baseds treatment, the interior walls.

Paint and Products for Wall Preparation

Firstly, starting with interior walls, before any finishing paint can be applied to any surface, it must first be prepared correctly so that, not only does the paint stick and stay on the wall, but it gives a nice flat and even finish.

In certain rooms some additional preparation is also needed to prevent things such as mould growth and the likes, more on this below.

Basecoat/Undercoat Paint

This is an all-purpose preparation for walls. As it is quite a thick paint it will cover many different imperfections including hairline, some very shallow depressions, cracks, stains and strong colours.

This is the ideal paint to be used if your walls are in bad condition or painted in a dark colour that will likely bleed through many layers of top coat.

What Finishing Paint?: Basecoat paint is best over painted using emulsion.

Anti-Damp Paint

If you have an old or period property then you will know there are some areas that get damp that just cannot be easily fixed without a great deal of expense. Such areas are constantly plagued by mould and the similar.

To prevent mould in these areas, apply anti-damp paint to walls and ceilings. Most anti-damp paints work even on damp surfaces and contain fungicides to stop mould growth.

What Finishing Paint?: Paint over with emulsion.

Textured Paint

As the name suggested, textured paint contains tiny particles that makes it much thicker than a standard paint and due to this, gives the finish a textured feel. As it’s thick, like basecoat paint it’s great for hiding minor imperfections.

Due to the texture in the finish, these paints produce a tough and hardwearing finish, ideal for high traffic areas.

What Finishing Paint?: Can be painted over with emulsion.

New Plaster Paint

If you have ever had to paint fresh or new platser or even plasterboard you will know that you before adding any traditional paint you firast have to cover it in a few mist coats first. This is effectively just watered down paint (around 60/40 paint to water).

As fresh plaster is so porous it sucks all of the moisture out of normal paint before it has dried correctly, so it needs extra water in it to ensure it creates teh necessary bond to keep it on the wall.

You can either make this mix yourself or buy a specialist new plaster paint.

Topcoat Paints for Walls

Once you have correctly prepared your walls using the necessary paint or preparation process listed above, it can then decorated with a finishing coat of paint of one of the following types:

Vinyl Matt Emulsion

Emulsion paints are water-based, easy to apply, and come in huge array of colours.

Matt emulsion provides a good quality flat finish that helps to hide minor imperfections, and due to the fact that it’s a flat, non-shiny finish it doesn’t highlight any minor imperfections in the same way that paints with a shinier finish do.

Although standard matt finishes are less durable and can be marked very easily, there are washable, durable matt options available and as the more modern water-based variants dry in a very short time, these can also be painted very quickly.

On the whole matt paint is best for ceilings and walls. One-coat emulsion versions are also available and offer a thicker application.

Vinyl Satin Emulsion

Satin emulsion, also called soft sheen or mid sheen, has a slight reflective quality, sort of like a cross between matt and silk, that can be used to brighten darker rooms as it reflects light around the room from wall to wall.

This is great for surfaces that are very flat and well finished, but can highlight even very slight defects in those that aren’t.

Despite this a great benefit in that it’s also very durable, making it easy to wipe away dirt, fingerprints, and grease stains.

Vinyl Silk Emulsion

Silk emulsion has a very high level of shine and due to this produces a very reflective finish.

Due to this it’s best used selectively and only on certain walls and in certain conditions.

On the whole it’s generally too shiny for living and relaxing areas but it works well in kitchens and children’s bedrooms due to its wipe-clean surface.

It’s also very good in darker rooms as it can help to reflect light around the room making it feel brighter, however it will also highlight any imperfections in the wall.

Kitchen and Bathroom Paint

Many paint brands offer kitchen and bathroom-specific paints, specifically designed for these high-use, high temperature and high humidity areas.

Kitchen paints, often in a tough matt finish and are much more durable than standard matt paints. They may also include a grease-resistant formula, making them easy to wash and wipe down.

In a similar way, bathroom paints are formulated to resist condensation and also help prevent mould growth, a common issue in bathrooms.

Magic White/Pink-to-White

Painting walls pure white can be tricky, as it’s very easy to miss spots as you can’t always see where you’ve already painted.

To combat this issue, some paint brands offer a special emulsion that is a pale pink when painted on, but dries white, helping you see exactly where you’ve painted for a more even finish.

Special Effects

Special effect paints are available in various finishes like metallic, shimmer, glitter, and suede.

Shimmer and glitter paints are typically applied over a base colour, while metallic paints often come in shades like gold, silver, and bronze.

Suede effect paints are offered in a select range of colours.

Painting Wood and Metal

Aside from the walls and ceilings in your home there are a great many other surfaces that can require painting and in a lot of cases these will be either wood or metal.

Again, in order to get a decent finish some preparation work is needed and also in some cases a special type of paint will need to be used.

Paint and Products for Wood and Metal Preparation

As with all painting jobs, the preparation that is done initially ultimately dictates how good the overall finish will be and tis is no exception!

Primer and Undercoat

Wood, metal, and other surfaces need priming and undercoating before applying a topcoat in the same way as any other surface.

Before any paint is applied, both wood and metal surfaces need to be sanded flat, any rough timber removed, any rust gotten rid of etc. Once this is all ready, a decent primer or undercoat can then be applied.

As with all things there are primers, undercoats, and combination primer-and-undercoat paints available.

Some are specifically for wood and likewise for metal, while multi-surface options work on both wood, metal, and more, however always check the label for surface compatibility. Drying times vary, so confirm this before applying your topcoat.

Topcoat Paints for Wood and Metal

Once any wood or metal surfaces have been correctly prepared and undercoated or primed, the next job then is to get some finishing or top coat paint on, so your options here are as follows:

Gloss

Gloss paint is a tough, durable option with a high shine finish making it ideal for items such as doors, skirting boards that suffer a lot of knocks and bangs, and sometimes even radiators or metal surfaces. One thing though, just check the label for compatibility.

Gloss paints come in many colours, with quick-drying, one-coat, and non-drip options available.

Satin

Similar to emulsion, satin wood and metal paints provide a subtle sheen rather than a high gloss finish.

Satin wood paints are designed to be as durable and washable as gloss paints so are great in high traffic and impact areas.

Eggshell

Eggshell paint is a water-based acrylic finish commonly used on wood and metal surfaces, also including radiators.

It has a subtle, soft sheen and is often available in a range of different colours, often quite soft.

Painting Tiles, Radiators, Appliances, MDF and Floors

In addition to walls, wood, and metal surfaces, many other household items benefit from painting, whether for maintenance or a fresh look. For example, painting and sealing a garage floor can improve durability, while a coat of paint on kitchen tiles or a scratch on a washing machine can restore their appearance. Here are some common items and tips on how to paint them:

• Tile Paint – Tile-specific paints are an easy way to refresh or cover old tiles without retiling. These durable paints are designed to adhere smoothly to tile surfaces, reducing brush marks. Available in a limited color selection, they offer a quick upgrade for tiled areas.
• Radiator Paint – While some gloss and satin paints can be used on radiators, specialist radiator paints are designed specifically for this purpose. They are heat-resistant, durable, and resist yellowing over time. Available in both spray and brush-on options, these paints ensure a long-lasting finish.
• Appliance Paint – Refresh worn appliances like washing machines and fridges with appliance paint. Formulated to resist chips and scratches, it dries to a smooth, brush-mark-free finish for a like-new look.
• Melamine & MDF Paint – Often called cupboard paint, this paint is ideal for refreshing melamine surfaces, furniture, and cabinets. If a new kitchen isn’t in your budget, consider painting your cupboards for a fresh look. Available in a limited color selection, these paints offer a durable, satin finish that resists brush marks. Find more details on painting MDF in our project guide here.
• Floor Paint – Floor paint is made for wooden and concrete surfaces, providing a tough, durable finish that resists wear from foot traffic. It’s available in a limited color range.
• Fire-Retardant Paint – Required by some building regulations, fire-retardant paint provides extra protection for walls and wood. Available in various colors, it is often sourced from specialist suppliers who can guide you on the right protection level. For more information on fire-resistant paint, see our project page here.

Painting is a necessary maintenance task in any home in order to keep it in tip top condition and in order to get the best finish possible, it’s essential you use the right type of paint for the surface and material you’re working with.