How to choose the right paint products.
A practical guide to finishes for your home or business—from everyday walls and trim to kitchen cabinets and exterior surfaces.
Explore the guide ↓
The right paint starts with the surface.
Colour sets the mood. The coating and sheen help determine how the surface looks, cleans and wears. A busy hallway, a cabinet door and exterior stucco each call for a different approach.
Start with the material and its condition, then consider cleaning, moisture and light. The examples below are a starting point; the final choice should suit the surface and the manufacturer’s current instructions.
Walls, trim & ceilings.
Give each surface a finish that fits its role—from a subtle wall sheen to crisp, washable woodwork.
Everyday walls
Finish to considerEggshell or satin is a useful starting point for living rooms and hallways. Compare samples in your room’s light before deciding.
Product exampleBenjamin Moore Regal Select Interior offers an eggshell option designed for durability and washability.
Why it mattersThink about how often you will clean the walls and how much sheen you want to see. Higher sheen can also draw attention to uneven surfaces.
Trim & moulding
Finish to considerSemi-gloss is a common choice for doors, baseboards and trim when you want definition and a finish suited to frequent cleaning.
Product examplesSherwin-Williams ProClassic Waterbased Acrylic-Alkyd and BEHR Urethane Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel (product sheet) are examples formulated for woodwork.
Why it mattersCleaning, surface preparation and a compatible primer help the new finish bond to existing coatings.
Ceilings
Finish to considerA flat or ultra-flat ceiling paint reduces glare and helps make small surface imperfections less noticeable.
Product exampleBenjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint is designed to minimise glare, lap marks and spatter.
Why it mattersCheck for stains or moisture problems before painting. A finish coat alone may not stop a stain from returning.
A note on low-VOC paint: compare the specific product’s information and follow its ventilation and application instructions. A low-VOC label does not replace those steps.
A finish made for daily use.
Cabinet doors meet hands, grease and regular cleaning. Choose a coating intended for cabinets and trim, with a sheen that suits the look you want.
Finish to considerSatin gives a softer sheen; semi-gloss adds more shine. Either can be an option in a cabinet-specific product.
Product examplesBenjamin Moore ADVANCE and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel offer finishes for cabinets, doors and trim.
What makes the differenceThorough cleaning, suitable preparation, the right primer and enough curing time are part of the result. Follow the selected product’s instructions before reinstalling hardware or returning to normal cleaning.
Explore cabinet painting →Match the coating to the exterior.
Wood and stucco need different systems. Existing paint, surface condition and the application weather all matter.
Wood siding
Finish to considerA satin or low-lustre exterior finish gives a subtle sheen. Confirm the coating is suitable for your siding and any existing finish.
Product exampleSherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex is available in satin and low-lustre finishes.
Before coatingAssess peeling paint, bare areas and damaged wood. Prepare and prime as required, and check the product’s temperature and weather requirements.
Stucco & masonry
Finish to considerA flat masonry coating can suit textured stucco. Whether an acrylic or elastomeric system is appropriate depends on the surface and its condition.
Product examplesSherwin-Williams Loxon XP and BEHR PREMIUM Elastomeric Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint are examples of specialised masonry coatings.
Before coatingInspect cracks and moisture issues first. Elastomeric products may bridge hairline cracks when applied as specified; they do not replace repairs to larger cracks or the source of water entry.
A better result begins before the first coat.
Use these four checks to turn product choices into a clear plan for your project.
Assess the surface
Identify the material, existing coating and areas that need repair before choosing a paint system.
Plan the preparation
Cleaning, repairs and compatible priming are part of the job. Follow the requirements for the selected coating.
Sample the finish
Look at colour and sheen in the actual space. Daylight and room lighting can change how they appear.
Allow the right time
Check application, recoat and cure instructions. A surface that feels dry may still need time before normal use.
How we choose products
At Connected Painting, we consider your surfaces, their condition and how the space is used when recommending products from brands such as Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams and BEHR. Learn what to expect from our estimation process.
Product names above link to manufacturer information. Formulations, finishes and local availability can vary; confirm the current product instructions and suitability for your project.
Let’s find the right finish for your space.
Tell us what you have in mind. We’ll help you plan the preparation, products and painting for your Winnipeg home or business.