Some of the home improvement shows on TV have featured either gloss or
semi-gloss white ceilings in homes. They say that it increases the
illusion of ceiling height. I like the idea, but my ceilings are
plaster, and have a lot of "character" (which some might call
"imperfections".)

Would a gloss or semi-gloss paint call out these imperfections and
magnify them? Would it be a mistake to use anything other than flat
paint?

On Aug 26, 2:16*pm, wrote:
.. *Would it be a mistake to use anything other than flat
paint?

Only if you did not like the results. Since this is a matter of
taste not some sort of factual question, I can't guess if you are
going to like it or not.

On Aug 26, 1:16*pm, wrote:
Some of the home improvement shows on TV have featured either gloss or
semi-gloss white ceilings in homes. *They say that it increases the
illusion of ceiling height. *I like the idea, but my ceilings are
plaster, and have a lot of "character" (which some might call
"imperfections".)

Would a gloss or semi-gloss paint call out these imperfections and
magnify them? *Would it be a mistake to use anything other than flat
paint?

Keep in mind that flat paint in an area like a kitchen ceiling that
may sometimes need cleaning is not a good choice. Stop by a paint
store, or a paint department and check the label on products
specifically intended for ceilings. Take the opinions of TV home
improvement hosts with several grains of salt. Many of them are simply
regurgitating what they remember from classes in art school a couple
of years ago. Too many factors are involved in decorating rooms
skillfully to claim that a white ceiling making the room seem higher
is right for your home. In fact, it could kill the ambience in some
rooms making them appear rather austere. Guests in a north facing room
with light blue walls and a bright flat white ceiling for example,
might think they had wandered into the freezer by mistake. Whatever,
choose wisely and if it doesn't look 'right', repainting will often
make it acceptable.

HTH

Joe

On Aug 26, 10:39*pm, Joe wrote:
On Aug 26, 1:16*pm, wrote:

Some of the home improvement shows on TV have featured either gloss or
semi-gloss white ceilings in homes. *They say that it increases the
illusion of ceiling height. *I like the idea, but my ceilings are
plaster, and have a lot of "character" (which some might call
"imperfections".)

Would a gloss or semi-gloss paint call out these imperfections and
magnify them? *Would it be a mistake to use anything other than flat
paint?

Keep in mind that flat paint in an area like a kitchen ceiling that
may sometimes need cleaning is not a good choice. Stop by a paint
store, or a paint department and check the label on products
specifically intended for ceilings. Take the opinions of TV home
improvement hosts with several grains of salt. Many of them are simply
regurgitating what they remember from classes in art school a couple
of years ago. Too many factors are involved in decorating rooms
skillfully to claim that a white ceiling making the room seem higher
is right for your home. In fact, it could kill the ambience in some
rooms making them appear rather austere. Guests in a north facing room
with light blue walls and a bright flat white ceiling for example,
might think they had wandered into the freezer by mistake. Whatever,
choose wisely and if it doesn't look 'right', repainting will often
make it acceptable.

HTH

Joe

The question is more about sheen than color. White is the color we'll
be using...it's just a matter of flat or semi-gloss. I've heard that
every imperfection will jump out at you with semi-gloss...

On Aug 26, 1:16*pm, wrote:
Some of the home improvement shows on TV have featured either gloss or
semi-gloss white ceilings in homes. *They say that it increases the
illusion of ceiling height. *I like the idea, but my ceilings are
plaster, and have a lot of "character" (which some might call
"imperfections".)

Would a gloss or semi-gloss paint call out these imperfections and
magnify them? *Would it be a mistake to use anything other than flat
paint?

I would not use semi with any defects in plaster, remember basic white
is greyed , bot good unless walls are in the blue-grey tones.

On Aug 27, 8:02�am, ransley wrote:
On Aug 26, 1:16�pm, wrote:

Some of the home improvement shows on TV have featured either gloss or
semi-gloss white ceilings in homes. �They say that it increases the
illusion of ceiling height. �I like the idea, but my ceilings are
plaster, and have a lot of "character" (which some might call
"imperfections".)

Would a gloss or semi-gloss paint call out these imperfections and
magnify them? �Would it be a mistake to use anything other than flat
paint?

I would not use semi with any defects in plaster, remember basic white
is greyed , bot good unless walls are in the blue-grey tones.

I ONLY use sem gloss paint on everything, for easy clean up of any
marks on walls etc. paint jobs last far longer this way

scrubbing flat paint leaves a wierd mark

wrote:

Some of the home improvement shows on TV have featured either gloss or
semi-gloss white ceilings in homes. They say that it increases the
illusion of ceiling height. I like the idea, but my ceilings are
plaster, and have a lot of "character" (which some might call
"imperfections".)

Would a gloss or semi-gloss paint call out these imperfections and
magnify them? Would it be a mistake to use anything other than flat
paint?

I have a plaster dropped ceiling with one longish crack and a spot
where the plaster bulges a bit. I've painted the ceiling with
semigloss and it's fine by me. I don't notice the flaws more with
it. Frankly, I think any new coat of any paint will mask flaws to
some degree.

But I don't get any illusion of a higher ceiling from using
semigloss. I just like the increased brightness without having to
add another lamp in the room. Call me thrifty...

HellT

wrote:

On Aug 26, 10:39*pm, Joe wrote:
On Aug 26, 1:16*pm, wrote:

Some of the home improvement shows on TV have featured either
gloss or semi-gloss white ceilings in homes. *They say that it
increases the illusion of ceiling height. *I like the idea, but
my ceilings are plaster, and have a lot of "character" (which
some might call "imperfections".)

Would a gloss or semi-gloss paint call out these imperfections and
magnify them? *Would it be a mistake to use anything other than
flat paint?

Keep in mind that flat paint in an area like a kitchen ceiling that
may sometimes need cleaning is not a good choice. Stop by a paint
store, or a paint department and check the label on products
specifically intended for ceilings. Take the opinions of TV home
improvement hosts with several grains of salt. Many of them are
simply regurgitating what they remember from classes in art school
a couple of years ago. Too many factors are involved in decorating
rooms skillfully to claim that a white ceiling making the room seem
higher is right for your home. In fact, it could kill the ambience
in some rooms making them appear rather austere. Guests in a north
facing room with light blue walls and a bright flat white ceiling
for example, might think they had wandered into the freezer by
mistake. Whatever, choose wisely and if it doesn't look 'right',
repainting will often make it acceptable.

The question is more about sheen than color. White is the color we'll
be using...it's just a matter of flat or semi-gloss. I've heard that
every imperfection will jump out at you with semi-gloss...

Yes, semi-gloss paint shows imperfections more plainly, but flat paint
won't hide big problems.

I always recommend that people use the shiniest paint they can stand.
Glossier paints last longer and are easier to clean. Flat paints suck
up dirt and never let it go.

The contractor who built my house used flat paint. Every time I've
tried to clean it, I wind up rubbing the paint off. Ceilings gather
dust, and you seldom get up there to clean them. Flat paint makes it
harder to clean.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX

In article ,
"SteveBell" wrote:



The contractor who built my house used flat paint. Every time I've
tried to clean it, I wind up rubbing the paint off. Ceilings gather
dust, and you seldom get up there to clean them. Flat paint makes it
harder to clean.

Maybe you could give New Life Home Improvement a call and get a bid on
repainting with something glossier.

Smitty Two wrote:

In article ,
"SteveBell" wrote:

The contractor who built my house used flat paint. Every time I've
tried to clean it, I wind up rubbing the paint off. Ceilings gather
dust, and you seldom get up there to clean them. Flat paint makes it
harder to clean.

Maybe you could give New Life Home Improvement a call and get a bid
on repainting with something glossier.

That's a great idea. I hear they do good work.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX

wrote in message
...

The question is more about sheen than color. White is the color we'll
be using...it's just a matter of flat or semi-gloss. . . . .

---------------

I am not sure, but I think the choices are sometimes "flat", "satin",
"semi-gloss", and "gloss". In other words, I think some brands of paint
offer a "satin" finish which is in between "flat" and "semi-gloss". You
may want to try a small test area and see what you think before doing the
whole ceiling.