Power Tools
Best White Satin Paint for Woodwork
Somewhere between matte paint and high-gloss paint lies satin paint, a popular finishing choice in woodwork. It is not dull like matte or shiny like gloss paint, but rather, it sits in the middle with a medium sheen that provides a contemporary appearance to skirting boards, windows, and doors.
Satin paint is so popularly used to finish woodwork that it is often referred to as satinwood paint. The hard-wearing paint is easy to apply and maintain and has protective and aesthetic benefits. To help you find the best satin paint for woodwork, we’ve created this buying guide that cumulates in a list of products that may suit your needs.
Why not matte or gloss paint?
White matte paint is not as hard-wearing as satinwood paint. It may work well for walls and ceilings but not for fittings. Furthermore, it is hard to clean and very easy to damage matte paint, which is the key reason it’s not ideal for high-use areas.
Despite being widely used for windows and doors in the past, gloss paint appears old-fashioned and suffers from a fatal yellowing over time. Even though you can wipe it clean, unlike matte, it’s less durable than satinwood paint.
How to buy satinwood paint
There are only two key considerations to make when buying satinwood paint. Three if you count the size of your project, which determines how much paint you need.
In any case, you need to be concerned about these two things:
Oil or water-based?
Satinwood paints are either water or oil based. Check the can just to be sure because there’s a huge difference between oil-based and water-based paints.
Oil-based paint is opaquer, so that you may need fewer coats. The issue is that they have a stronger smell, which may need to be aired out for a few days. Oil-based paints are not ideal for poorly ventilated rooms or rooms that need to be occupied quickly. Oil-based paint will yellow over time if the room doesn’t get enough natural light.
Water-based paint has a milder, less noxious smell that dissipates quickly. By and large, this type of paint is much easier to apply, even though you may need more coats. It’s also easier to clean up after using a satinwood paint that’s water based. Hot soapy water is all it takes. In comparison, you’ll need a brush cleaner or white spirit to clean up after using oil-based paint.
Cost
It’s tempting to buy cheaper paint to save some money, but you’ll be losing more in the long run if you have to re-apply it multiple times. In many cases, choosing bad paint causes you to spend more than what it costs to buy a good brand.
It’s worthwhile to invest in quality paint that only needs one or two coats and has a good track record for resilience. It may feel expensive, but it’s the only way to avoid having to re-do the fittings every three months.
Time
Time is arguably more important than money, so you should get paint that’s labeled quick-drying or one-coat. You’ll spend less time applying it, and you can get the room back in order much faster.
White satin woodwork paints to get from Amazon.
Rust-Oleum Semi-Gloss White Paint (1993730)
A water-based satinwood paint is usually the way to go for indoor projects. Such paints, like this one, emit a low odor and dry quickly, so there are no long waiting periods. This acrylic formula resists chipping and has impressive weather resistance.
It’s effortlessly easy to apply and dries in just 30 minutes. The semi-gloss finish is ideal for woodwork as it provides a long-lasting shine in all conditions. Half a pint (8 Fl Oz) can cover up to thirty square feet, including outdoor-facing walls and structures. It is quite a steal at this price, judging by its ability to resist yellowing, damage, and weather exposure.
INSL-X Satin Sheen Paint (CC550109A)
Re-painting your cabinets shouldn’t be an annual occasion if you use the right paint. This satin-sheen acrylic paint ensures that they don’t lose their protection in a matter of months. It supplies an ultra-smooth finish that stands the test of time and adheres to surfaces even without primer.
It resists scuffing, food stains, water damage, grease, and chipping, so it is as durable as they come. A gallon of this white satinwood paint gives you about 450 square feet of coverage, and it layers on pretty smoothly with the right preparation.
You need the right equipment to get the right finish, so consider using both rollers and brushes to ensure the final work is level. Don’t “overwork” the paint (paint one area too much) and remember to sand between coats to get a smoother finish.
General Finishes Water-Based Satin Topcoat
General Finishes boasts that this satinwood is the hardest and most durable commercially available polyurethane topcoat. It is an easy-to-apply water-based satinwood paint that takes 1 – 2 hours to dry and is only suitable for interior use.
That means you can’t use it on outdoor fittings and furniture. You shouldn’t apply a clear topcoat over satinwood paints as it causes yellowing. In addition to looking good and providing a protective barrier against water, this topcoat is infused with a UV stabilizer that prevents sunlight from breaking it down. That’s useful when you want to ensure the underlying wood stains last a long time.
Valspar Porch and Floor Satinwood Paint (27-1500)
The enamel-colored Valspar satinwood paint is designed for heavy-use areas like wooden floors and porches. It works great without a primer and comes in different colors besides off-whites. Creatives can even stencil another color on top, which is useful for creating unique designs.
The color is vibrant and attracts natural light, making rooms look brighter and cleaner. Aside from wood floors, it also goes on tile, although you’ll need a polyacrylic topcoat, in this case, to seal it up.
It’s relatively easy to maintain due to its smooth texture, which allows you to wipe surfaces clean. It’s a decent choice for hardwood floors as well as wooden structures within your house.
Re-painting your cabinets shouldn’t be an annual occasion if you use the right paint. This satin-sheen acrylic paint ensures that they don’t lose their protection in a matter of months. It supplies an ultra-smooth finish that stands the test of time and adheres to surfaces even without primer.
It resists scuffing, food stains, water damage, grease, and chipping, so it is as durable as they come. A gallon of this white satinwood paint gives you about 450 square feet of coverage, and it layers on pretty smoothly with the right preparation.
You need the right equipment to get the right finish, so consider using both rollers and brushes to ensure the final work is level. Don’t “overwork” the paint (paint one area too much) and remember to sand between coats to get a smoother finish.
General Finishes Water-Based Satin Topcoat
General Finishes boasts that this satinwood is the hardest and most durable commercially available polyurethane topcoat. It is an easy-to-apply water-based satinwood paint that takes 1 – 2 hours to dry and is only suitable for interior use.
That means you can’t use it on outdoor fittings and furniture. You shouldn’t apply a clear topcoat over satinwood paints as it causes yellowing. In addition to looking good and providing a protective barrier against water, this topcoat is infused with a UV stabilizer that prevents sunlight from breaking it down. That’s useful when you want to ensure the underlying wood stains last a long time.
Valspar Porch and Floor Satinwood Paint (27-1500)
The enamel-colored Valspar satinwood paint is designed for heavy-use areas like wooden floors and porches. It works great without a primer and comes in different colors besides off-whites. Creatives can even stencil another color on top, which is useful for creating unique designs.
The color is vibrant and attracts natural light, making rooms look brighter and cleaner. Aside from wood floors, it also goes on tile, although you’ll need a polyacrylic topcoat, in this case, to seal it up.
It’s relatively easy to maintain due to its smooth texture, which allows you to wipe surfaces clean. It’s a decent choice for hardwood floors as well as wooden structures within your house.
