Top 5 Best Paint Finish for Ceilings [Updated Buyer’s Guide]

When it comes to choosing the Best Paint Finish for Ceilings, there are many factors to consider. For example, the type of paint finish you choose will depend on your budget and how much time you want to spend maintaining the new look. Not only that but you need to think about what type of room or space is getting a Paint Finish for Ceiling paint finish. A basement with a high-humidity environment may not be a place that encourages glossy finishes. If you are wondering what paint finish is best for ceilings, here are the top paints for ceilings:

1. Rust-Oleum 253536 Metallic Accents Paint

2. Homax Roll On Wall Texture White

3. Flat paint

4. Eggshell paint

5. Semi-gloss paint

It is no secret that paint can brighten up a space and give it new life. But what many people do not know is that there are different types of paint finishes, each with its own unique set of benefits. The best paint finish for ceilings will depend on the area of your home you’re painting, what type of materials are in that space, and how much time you want to spend maintaining them. 

What Is a Finish?

A paint finish is the overall look and feel of the paint once it dries. It can range from glossy and shiny to dull and flat. The type of finish you choose will depend on the room, the surface you’re painting, and your personal preference.

There are three main types of paint finishes:

  1. Glossy: This finish is very shiny and reflective. It’s often used in kitchens and bathrooms because it’s easy to clean.
  2. Satin: This finish is somewhere in between glossy and flat. It has a bit of sheen to it, but it’s not as reflective as glossy paint.
  3. Flat: This finish has no shine at all. It’s often used in bedrooms and living rooms because it has a softer look.

Types Of Ceilings

what paint sheen for ceilings

There are many types of ceilings, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.

  1. Plasterboard ceilings are the most common type of ceiling. They are easy to install and provide a good level of soundproofing. However, they can be susceptible to damage from water and humidity.
  2. Tin ceilings are popular in commercial and industrial settings. They are durable and fire resistant, but can be difficult to install.
  3. Drop ceilings are common in office and retail spaces. They are easy to install and maintain, but can be damaged easily by water or humidity.
  4. Textured ceilings are popular in residential settings. They can add visual interest to a room, but can be difficult to clean and repair.

How To Choose the Best Paint Finish for Your Ceiling Type

When choosing the best paint finish for your ceiling, you need to consider the type of ceiling you have, the type of room the ceiling is in, and your personal preferences.

  • If you have a plasterboard ceiling, you should choose a paint finish that is easy to clean and resistant to damage from water and humidity.
  • For a tin ceiling, choose a paint finish that is durable and fire resistant.
  • If you have a drop ceiling, you should choose a paint finish that is easy to install and maintain.
  • For a textured ceiling, you should choose a paint finish that can add visual interest to the room. A textured ceiling has a “rich” or “vibrant” appearance and pattern. When painting this type of ceiling, keep in mind that it needs special care. The moisture in the paint roller might remove the popcorn by mistake, resulting in its destruction. As a result, we advocate using a spray gun to ensure that the texture is maintained.

Personal preferences will also play a role in choosing the best paint finish for your ceiling. If you want a low-maintenance finish, you should choose a flat or eggshell paint. If you want a high-gloss finish, you should choose a semi-gloss paint. However, keep in mind that semi-gloss paints are more difficult to clean and maintain.

Related Post: Paint And Primer in One: What You Need to Know

Our Best Paint Finishes for Ceilings on Amazon

1. Rust-Oleum 253536 Metallic Accents Paint

Rust-Oleum 253536 Metallic Accents Paint, Quart, Copper Penny 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
  • Elegant metallic paint adds a decorative touch on interior/exterior walls, trim, doors, furniture and more
  • Low odor, water based formula contains mica beads for metallic look
  • Dries to the touch in 30 min and covers up to 105 sq ft
  • Features simple one step application with easy soap and water clean up
  • Creates a rich, iridescent finish that shimmers when accented by light for beautiful color

Product Description

When looking for something more classic, Rust-Oleum 253536 Metallic Accents Paint is a perfect choice. It’s perhaps the most beautiful ceiling paint available. This paint finish has a variety of applications on both the inside and outside of your home.

Spray-on paint with a brilliant metallic sheen for ceilings, walls, trimmings, doors, furniture, and other objects is one of the most popular choices. There are real mica beads in this paint that give a sparkling gleam when exposed to light. With two coats of this finish, you’ll get a genuine high-end look.

This product is a high-gloss paint which makes it ideal for ceilings and other surfaces that need to reflect light. The shiny surface of this paint will add brightness to your home, making the room appear larger. When applied correctly, you can achieve any look from an ultra-modern sheen with metallic accents in silver or bronze tones, to a vintage look with antique gold or brass.

This paint is available in spray cans, small tins for touching up spots, and large containers that will cover an entire room. When you’re ready to begin your project, start by cleaning the surface well so dirt doesn’t wind up creating extra work later on down the line.

Pros

  • Dries fast
  • One coat is sufficient
  • Variety of colors to choose from
  • This paint is suitable for ceilings, trims, and metallic objects.
  • It’s also perfect for walls that need to reflect light or bring in more brightness.

Cons

  • This paint is very shiny so it will reflect light in any direction.

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2. Homax Roll On Wall Texture White

Product Description

Homax Roll On Wall Texture White is a great choice for homeowners that want to update their space quickly and easily. This paint will give your walls a new look in just one coat.

This paint is latex-free so you won’t have to worry about strong odors or fumes.

One of the most unique aspects of this product is its self-leveling which means your results will always turn out great, even if you’re a beginner at painting. This texture comes in an easy-to-use spray can so you won’t have to worry about purchasing extra tools for your project.

This paint is available in white color and it’s perfect for ceilings, trims, and metallic objects. The high gloss finish provides an elegant touch without breaking the bank. This product dries quickly which means you’ll get results in no time.

Pros

  • The high gloss finish provides an elegant touch without breaking the bank.
  • Dries quickly which means you’ll get results in no time.
  • Little odor
  • Hides marks on the surface

Cons

  • The paint is thick and difficult to apply
  • It’s recommended for small touch-ups, not large projects.

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3. Eggshell Paint

PRESTIGE Paints Interior Paint and Primer In One, 1-Gallon, Eggshell, Comparable Match of Benjamin Moore* Linen White*
  • Prestige Paints has created a comparable Color based on Color specifications of the original Color using industry leading technology
  • This Benjamin Moore paint Color Name is a trademark of Benjamin Moore. Prestige Paints is not associated or affiliated with Benjamin Moore in any way
  • Smooth application ideal for living rooms, family rooms, media rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens and hallways
  • 100% Acrylic latex paint for easy soap and water clean-up
  • Low VOC: less than 5 g/L prior to tinting

Product Description

Eggshell paint is a good choice for ceilings in high-traffic areas, such as Eggshell finish paint is a good choice for ceilings in high-traffic areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Offers one of the best paint sheen for ceilings.

Pros

  • It has a slightly glossy finish, which makes it easy to clean.
  • It has a slightly glossy finish, which makes it easy to clean.

Cons

  • Eggshell paint can be more difficult to apply than other types of paint.
  • If you have a textured ceiling, eggshell paint might not be the best choice because it can accentuate imperfections.

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4. Flat Ceiling Paint

Product Description

Flat Ceiling paint is a great choice for those who want to update their space quickly and easily. This type of paint dries quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to see results. It also low odor, so you won’t have to worry about strong fumes. Additionally, flat paint does a good job of hiding imperfections, which is ideal if you’re not looking to do a complete renovation. This type of paint is also easy to apply, so it’s perfect for beginners.

Pros

  • Dries quickly
  • Is low odor
  • Hides imperfections well
  • Is easy to apply

Cons

  • Can be more difficult to clean than other types of paint.
  • In case you have a textured ceiling, flat paint might not be the best choice because it can accentuate imperfections.

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5. Semi-Gloss Paint

Microblend Interior Paint and Primer - White/White, Semi-gloss Sheen, Quart, Premium Quality, High Hide, Low VOC, Washable, Microblend Whites Family
  • PROFESSIONAL QUALITY – Microblend paint is a professional quality, low VOC, low odor paint and primer with a silky smooth, luxurious finish.
  • HIGH PERFORMANCE – Exceptional hide and self-leveling additives work hard so you don’t have to. Stain blockers and rust inhibitors keep walls and trim looking fresh. Exterior formulas feature additional UV protection.
  • PROPRIETARY FORMULA – Our water-based acrylic resin formula cures hard for an extremely durable, stain resistant, scrubbable and washable finish.
  • THE ONLY ON-DEMAND PAINT COMPANY – Microblend’s patented APM (automated paint machine) creates a fresh bucket of paint for each order, so every color, sheen and size is always in stock. We ship all orders within 1 business day and many the same day.
  • 300+ COLORS – In flat, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss and gloss sheens, and in quart, 1-gallon, 2-gallons, & 5-gallons sizes. Each bucket is tested with a spectrophotometer ensuring incredibly consistent color bucket-to-bucket, for perfectly matched walls and invisible touch-ups.

Product Description

Semi-gloss paint is a good choice for those who are looking for durability and easy cleanup. This type of paint is moisture resistant, so it’s perfect for areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Additionally, semi-gloss paint does a good job of hiding imperfections. This is ideal if you want to update your space without doing a complete renovation.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Easy to clean
  • Hides imperfections well
  • Is moisture resistant

Cons

  • Can be more difficult to apply than other types of paint.
  • When you have a textured ceiling, semi-gloss paint might not be the best choice because it can accentuate imperfections.

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Buyer’s Guide – What To Consider When Choosing The Best Paint Finish for Ceilings

A ceiling, like any other surface in your home, should be finished properly and with care. The paint finish you choose for your ceilings will affect the look of your home. With so many options to choose from, however, it can be hard to decide on what type will work best for you.

When choosing the best paint finish for your ceiling, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. The Type of Surface You’re Painting

If you’re painting a smooth surface, you’ll want to choose a glossy or satin finish. If you’re painting a textured surface, you’ll want to choose a flat finish.

2. The Type of Room

If you’re painting a room that gets a lot of traffic, like a kitchen or bathroom, you’ll want to choose a glossy or satin finish. If you’re painting a room that doesn’t get a lot of traffic, like a bedroom or living room, you’ll want to choose a flat finish.

3. Your Personal Preference

Ultimately, the decision of which paint finish to choose is up to you. If you’re not sure, try out a few samples on your ceiling and see which one you like best.

Related Post: Satin Vs Semi Gloss Polyurethane Finish—How Do They Differ?

How To Paint a Ceiling

Best Paint Finish for Ceilings, what type of paint finish is best for ceilings

Tools You Will Need:

Once you have everything you need, set up your workspace by covering the floor and any furniture with drop cloths. Then use painter’s tape to protect any areas you don’t want to get paint on like baseboards or moldings.

Step One: The first step in painting a ceiling is to clean it thoroughly. Remove any old paint or wallpaper that’s on the ceiling. If you’re working with a textured ceiling, use a putty knife to scrape off any loose pieces.

Any dirt or debris will show through the paint so it’s important to start with a clean surface.

Step Two: Apply a coat of primer and let it dry completely before moving on to painting. If you’re using latex paint, you won’t need to prime the surface first as most latex paints come with a primer.

Step Three: Apply the finish. The first coat should be thin and even. To avoid paint drips, start at the edge of the ceiling and work your way in. Once the first coat is dry, apply a second coat if necessary.

It’s important to let your ceiling paint dry completely before moving on to the next step. This usually takes about 24 hours but finish is the most popular for ceilings. It is easy to apply, it dries quickly and can go on smoothly without leaving any marks or bubbles behind.

If you want to add some dimension to your ceiling, you can choose a matte finish. This will give your ceiling a more textured look.

Now you’re ready to start painting! When painting, begin by using a brush that is about two inches wide to paint the edges of your ceiling. Once you’ve done that, use a roller to apply the rest of the paint in same direction. Work in small sections and be sure to overlap each stroke so that the paint is evenly applied.

Helpful Tips:

  • Use a paint roller with an extension handle to make painting ceilings easier.
  • Invest in a good paintbrush as this will make it easier to get into tight spaces and corners.
  • If you’re using latex paint, be sure to open the windows for ventilation as the fumes can be strong.

FAQs: What Type of Paint Finish Is Best for Ceilings

What Is the Best Ceiling Paint Finish to Use on A Ceiling?

The best paint finish to use on a ceiling is latex. It’s easy to apply, dries quickly, and can go on smoothly without leaving marks or bubbles behind.

What Color Should I Paint My Ceiling?

The best colors to paint a ceiling are light colors like white, gray, or beige. They reflect light and make space seem airy. Dark colors absorb light and make space seem smaller and cozier.

How Do I Protect My Ceiling from Spills?

Paints specifically formulated to resist water and stains are good choices for protecting against spills so you Paint Finish for Ceilings

Best Paint Sheen for Porch Ceiling?

The best sheen for Porch ceiling is latex. It’s easy to apply, dries quickly, and can go on smoothly without leaving marks or bubbles behind.

Are Flat and Matte Paint Finishes the Same Thing?

No! While both finishes have a low-gloss look, matte paint has much more pigments in Calgary

Flat or matte paint is a great choice for those who want to minimize imperfections on their walls and ceilings.

Best Paint Finish for Ceilings: Conclusion

A small error when painting your ceiling may have a big influence on the general look of your space. That’s why you should be cautious and avoid making any errors that might result in you spending money or, far worse, giving your various areas an “ugly” look. In this article, we’ve gone through the top paint finishes for ceilings and explained why you should choose any of them. Read carefully and pick the best solution for your tasks.

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