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Causes
- Use of an interior paint outdoors.
- Use of a lower quality paint.
- Use of an alkyd or oil-based paint in areas of direct sunshine. South- and west-facing exposures take a greater beating than north- and east-facing exposures.
Solutions
- Direct sunshine can degrade the binder and pigment of a paint, causing it to chalk and lose its gloss. While all types of paint will lose some degree of luster over time, lower quality paints will generally lose gloss much earlier than better grades. The binder in top quality acrylic latex paint is especially resistant to UV radiation, while oil and alkyd binders actually absorb the radiation, causing the binders to break down. Surface preparation for a coating showing poor gloss retention should be similar to that used with chalking surfaces (see Chalking).
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Primer
TOPCOAT (EXTERIOR)
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BEHR® Paints, Stains & Primers.
About Interior Paint Sheens
Get the look you want and the protection you need for any room in your home.
FLAT
A flat sheen has a non-reflective finish that touches up well and hides minor surface imperfections.
Applications:
Low-traffic areas; interior walls and ceilings
Areas:
Ceilings
Durability:
Medium-Low
MATTE
A matte sheen has a low-luster, reflective finish that is durable, easy to clean, touches up well and also hides minor surface imperfections.
Applications:
Low-traffic areas; interior walls
Areas:
Family rooms, living rooms, kids' rooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, ceilings
Durability:
Medium
EGGSHELL ENAMEL
An eggshell enamel sheen has a soft, velvety appearance that resists dirt and grime, as well as mildew.
Applications:
Moderate-traffic areas
Areas:
Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, dining rooms
Durability:
Medium
SATIN ENAMEL
A satin enamel sheen has a pearl-like finish that's easy to clean.
Applications:
All interior surfaces; moderate- to high-traffic areas
Areas:
Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters, interior furniture
Durability:
Medium-High
SEMI-GLOSS ENAMEL
A semi-gloss enamel sheen is sleek and radiant resisting mildew, moisture and wear.
Applications:
Cabinets and trim; high-traffic, high-moisture areas
Areas:
Kids' rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters
Durability:
High
HI-GLOSS ENAMEL
Hi-Gloss enamel sheens provide have a brilliant, shiny appearance and a durable, glass-like finish that allows dirt and grime to be wiped clean.
Applications:
High-use surfaces
Areas:
Kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters, interior furniture
Durability:
High
About Exterior Paint Sheens
Set the right curb appeal with exterior painting efforts that last.
FLAT
A flat sheen is non-reflective, and easy to apply and touch up. It will minimize the appearance of minor surface imperfections.
Applications:
Wood and vinyl walls and siding; brick and other masonry; fences
Durability:
Medium-Low
SATIN ENAMEL
A satin enamel sheen creates a pearl-like finish that's durable and dirt-resistant. It will also resist moisture, fading and stains.
Applications:
Virtually all exterior surfaces
Durability:
Medium-High
SEMI-GLOSS ENAMEL
A semi-gloss enamel sheen is sleek and radiant with a hard, durable finish. It is formulated to withstand wear, and will also resist moisture, fading and stains.
Applications:
Doors, trim and shutters; Exterior furniture
Durability:
High
HI-GLOSS ENAMEL
Hi-Gloss enamel sheen have a brilliant, shiny appearance and a durable, glass-like finish that allows dirt and grime to be wiped clean.
Applications:
High-use surfaces
Durability:
High
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is here to help professional painters, contractors, and property managers with all their paint needs. We offer:
- Free Same-Day, Next-Day Delivery*
- Call, Text, or Email Your Paint Order
- Will Call & Schedule Deliveries
- Custom Color Matching
- Product & Record Order Management
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*Where available. Limitations may apply.
is here to help professional painters, contractors, and property managers with all their paint needs. We offer:
- Free Same-Day, Next-Day Delivery*
- Call, Text, or Email Your Paint Order
- Will Call & Schedule Deliveries
- Custom Color Matching
- Product & Record Order Management
- Expert Paint Knowledge
*Where available. Limitations may apply.
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Contact your BEHR PRO® Paint Specialist.
THERE'S A BEHR PRO® PAINT SPECIALIST NEAR YOU
Contact your BEHR PRO® Paint Specialist at your local Home Depot for help with all of your paint needs.
Your BEHR PRO® Rep:
PRO PAINT SPECIALIST
- Get 10%-20% back in quarterly rewards on BEHR® Products when you join Home Depot's Pro Xtra™ loyalty program
- Call, Text or E-mail your orders to your dedicated BEHR PRO Paint Specialist
- Arrange will call & Schedule Deliveries for pick-up at your Home Depot location or for delivery to you
PAINTING CONTRACTORS
JOIN THE HOME DEPOT® PRO XTRA LOYALTY PROGRAM AND
Contact a BEHR PRO® Paint Rep for details or sign up at homedepot.com/ProXtra
Your BEHR PRO® Paint Rep
BEHR PRO PAINT REP
,
THE HOME DEPOT® OFFERS SPECIAL SAVINGS, SERVICES AND TOOLS FOR PRO XTRA MEMBERS.