Protect Your Business: Durable Paint Finishes for High-Traffic Areas
Not all paint types and finishes will hold up in high-traffic areas in your commercial space. So, choose wisely and protect your business by learning about durable paint options.
Why Use Durable Paint in High-Traffic Areas?
The constant flow of foot traffic warrants extra wear and tear protection for high-traffic areas to prevent smudges, scratches, and other wall damage. By using the most durable paint finish, you can prevent the need for costly, frequent repainting and maintenance. Additionally, durable paints ensure your commercial space remains aesthetically pleasing and welcoming.
What Paint Finish Is Best for High-Traffic Areas?
Generally, you’re looking for something that balances durability, ease of maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. There are several options; here are some of the best.
High Gloss Paint
Glossy finishes (including epoxy options) are the definition of durability when it comes to paint finishes for your business space. They are also easy to maintain and very shiny. Their high reflectivity shows even minute flaws, and they’re also quite difficult to touch up because the paint sheen differences between the old and new finishes are often obvious. Hence, they are not ideal for walls. However, many use this paint on doors or trims in high-traffic areas.
Semi-Gloss Finish
Semi-gloss finishes provide many of the benefits of high-gloss paint without being as shiny. Therefore, wall imperfections aren’t as visible. Their high durability makes them ideal for spaces where drips, moisture, and grease stains challenge walls, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Satin Finish
If you’re looking for paint with decent resistance to stains, mildew, and scuffs, a satin paint finish may be the best option. It’s easier to clean than glossy options, but avoid scrubbing vigorously because it can lose its sheen. However, touch-ups later can be challenging since satin reveals application flaws like brush strokes. It’s ideal for hallways.
Eggshell Finish
Eggshell, as its name implies, looks like the surface of a chicken’s egg. It has virtually no shine with little luster. Its appearance is ideal if you want your walls to have a muted glow without excessive shine. Its name is not indicative of its resilience either; the eggshell finish is moderately durable and can take on high-traffic areas well enough.
Application Tips
Do you plan to DIY your high-traffic painting project? Here are some application tips to consider for maximum durability.
Prepare the Surface: Always remember that proper surface preparation is key for a professional-looking and long-lasting paint finish. So, ensure the surface you’re painting is clean and dry. Sand and use a quality primer as well for better paint adhesion.
Use the Right Tools: Apply paint using high-quality brushes or rollers (depending on the paint type and surface). For instance, rollers with short naps are good for semi-gloss and satin finishes.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions: Read and follow the instructions for your paint finish, especially for details like the drying times and number of coats.
Paint During Favorable Environmental Conditions: When painting indoors, ensure that the area is well-ventilated. Don’t paint in extreme temperatures or high humidity, as these can affect drying and curing times.
Mistakes are common with DIY painting, costing you more time and money. For best results the first time, consider investing in professional painting services.
Paint Maintenance
Here are some upkeep tips to keep your paint finish looking fresh for a long time in busy areas of your business space.
Regular Cleaning: Address marks or stains as soon as they appear. Be gentle with your cleaning method and avoid abrasive cleaners or using scrubbing pads. A damp cloth and mild detergent should do the trick.
Prompt Touch-Ups: Even if you choose the best paint finish for high-traffic areas, it will still require touch-ups sooner or later. Keep a small amount of paint ready for quick touch-ups, addressing any marks or scuffs as soon as possible.
Periodic Inspection: Regularly check for signs of wear or damage because timely repairs can prolong the lifespan of your paint job.
Get the Best Finish With Anderson Painting
Are you struggling to determine the best paint finish for high-traffic areas in your business? The Anderson Painting experts can help you choose the right paint finish and apply it properly so your commercial space stays protected.
Talk to our painting experts by calling 919-610-1855 or emailing us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com.
