Interior Paint Sheen?

Interior Paint Sheen?

Mount Laurel, NJ · Member since 2014 · 83 posts · 12 votes

So I've looked at the previous threads on interior paint and I am trying to figure out what level sheen would be the best solution for walls (living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom).

I believe that flat paint for walls is the cheapest option because it is easy to touch up will in the end produce less labor costs when paying painters etc.  I will also look nicer when freshly painted and help hide imperfections in the walls. If I plan to use a flat paint I would still have to use a different paint in the bathrooms with an eg-shell shine.  In my opinion there is a reason why 90% of apartment complexes use flat paint.  However, most of us don't have maintenance crews standing around waiting for something to paint.  This paint is likely ideal when units turn-over quickly.

Eg-shell seems to the advantage when it comes to cleaning the walls and using the same paint throughout the whole property.  Eg-shell would likely cut down on material costs because you don't have to worry about putting it in bathrooms and kitchens.  However, the look would be slightly less appealing and whole walls would have to be painted when "touching up".  This also means that walls will be more durable and they can look good for a longer period of time.

So with running a small operation of a few higher-end rentals and trying to increase the longevity of the tenants, what would be the best option?

Please feel free to share your methods and/or colors that you use!

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Dawn AnastasiPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
11y

I use semi-gloss on the walls and trim, and flat on the ceilings. The benefit of semi-gloss is that if you get something on it, you can wipe it down easily.

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  • Dawn AnastasiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    I use semi-gloss on the walls and trim, and flat on the ceilings. The benefit of semi-gloss is that if you get something on it, you can wipe it down easily.

  • SFR Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2009 · 184 posts · 55 votes
    11y

    Eggshell also wipes down easily, but looks better than semi-gloss in general.  Flat gets messed up quickly.

  • Bedford, NH · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Flat.  Especially on older walls.  Marred paint, or even holes from picture hangings, etc?  Slap some spackle on it, 3 seconds of sanding, mini-roller just on the areas that need it.  You never even see the difference.

    Eggshell in the baths.

  • Investor · Dallas, TX · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Agree with @Kevin Dickson 

    I use eggshell exclusively on walls, semi-gloss on doors, trim & cabinetry.

    Flat paint...anything that bumps it will leave a mark.

  • Chicago, IL · Member since 2014 · 710 posts · 200 votes
    11y

    eggshell.   I've never washed walls anyway just repaint 

  • Rental Property Investor · Douglas County, MO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    I prefer satin on the walls and trim, flat white on the ceiling.

  • Mount Laurel, NJ · Member since 2014 · 83 posts · 12 votes
    11y

    eg-shell seems to be the more popular choice

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Country Club Hills, IL · Member since 2014 · 37 posts · 14 votes
    11y

    Yes, I prefer Egg Shell as well.  I use Semi Gloss for for the most part however if I have to do just trims then i'll use satin.

    The flat paint look very dull to me and it is not easy to clean up.  Flat paint in your house may be okay but I would not recommend it for an investment property.

  • Flipper · Cheney, WA · Member since 2014 · 77 posts · 47 votes
    11y

    I paint everything Walmart Color Place satin white. Well, walls and ceilings.  I paint trim with a better grade of paint and either satin or semi-gloss.

    I paint walls and sometimes ceilings between tenants, so ease and cost of repaint is the most important thing to me.  I use white because, although it isn't everyone's favorite, I looks clean and bright.

    It is really interesting o me how everyone has a different opinion.

  • Bedford, NH · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Remy Balogun:

    Yes, I prefer Egg Shell as well.  I use Semi Gloss for for the most part however if I have to do just trims then i'll use satin.

    The flat paint look very dull to me and it is not easy to clean up.  Flat paint in your house may be okay but I would not recommend it for an investment property.

     Funny, I do the opposite.  I have eggshell in my house because I prefer the look, but touching up flat is so easy that that is what is in the rentals.

  • Mount Laurel, NJ · Member since 2014 · 83 posts · 12 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Don Coumbs:

    I paint everything Walmart Color Place satin white. Well, walls and ceilings.  I paint trim with a better grade of paint and either satin or semi-gloss.

    I paint walls and sometimes ceilings between tenants, so ease and cost of repaint is the most important thing to me.  I use white because, although it isn't everyone's favorite, I looks clean and bright.

    It is really interesting o me how everyone has a different opinion.

     it is interesting how everyone has a different opinion.  no consensus here!

  • Aguila, AZ · Member since 2010 · 34 posts · 1 vote
    11y

    It is interesting that there is no consensus on this.  Right now I'm of the opinion that painting with flat is the best way to go.  Then upon turnover you can touch up which might cost a little more but is probably easier than cleaning.  Also, you aren't likely to have to cut in for trim and ceilings everywhere and that's the real time/energy suck in painting.  Rolling freely on the walls is easy peasy. As mentioned you also get the new paint smell which is definitely a plus to potential renters.  

    I think the biggest downside is the tenant getting frustrated with all the handprints and dirt etc.  Therefore, I'm going to provide sheets of general move in information that includes the paint color, sheen and manufacturer or maybe just leave a can for them and let them know that they can touch up if it is bothering them.

  • Aguila, AZ · Member since 2010 · 34 posts · 1 vote
    11y

    Also, my new go to color is going to be Sherwin Williams Antique White, in Masterhide Flat.  I get it for $18 a gallon. Seems to be in the Greige category to me which things seem to be trending.  I find if it's too gray it looks depressing to me.

  • Rental Property Investor · Yardley, PA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 561 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Charles Mangum:

    Also, my new go to color is going to be Sherwin Williams Antique White, in Masterhide Flat.  I get it for $18 a gallon. Seems to be in the Greige category to me which things seem to be trending.  I find if it's too gray it looks depressing to me.

    That is a nice color. I still like an eggshell sheen.

  • Littleton, CO · Member since 2012 · 29 posts · 22 votes
    11y

    Semi Gloss in the kitchens and baths, trim and baseboards, Velvet Sheen (eggshell/satin) in the living and bed areas.  Like Henry Ford, we paint all units in any color the tenants want, as long as it's Aspen White and have had great results with Kwal paint.  

  • Rental Property Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2009 · 81 posts · 30 votes
    5y

    @Rob Randle

    I used flat on walls (except kitchen and bath) at recommendation of BP but found the strategy of easy touch ups not working. Same color and sheen but maybe a different can ends up in easily viewed streaks and spots of paint. Anyone else have this problem? I hate to repaint whole house after each tenant but starting to look unprofessional in a higher end duplex.

  • Hayward, CA · Member since 2017 · 48 posts · 55 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Genna Golden:

    @Rob Randle

    I used flat on walls (except kitchen and bath) at recommendation of BP but found the strategy of easy touch ups not working. Same color and sheen but maybe a different can ends up in easily viewed streaks and spots of paint. Anyone else have this problem? I hate to repaint whole house after each tenant but starting to look unprofessional in a higher end duplex.

    Yes, I've experienced this and it can be frustrating.  I find that after 2-3 years paint colors sometimes won't match well anymore.  We use a stock color from Kelly Moore, but often we have to fully paint the walls if it has been more than just a couple years. 

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