What finish do professional painters use?

Professional painters use a combination of finishes rather than a single finish for an entire house, choosing the right sheen for each surface to achieve both beauty and durability. For interior walls in most living areas such as living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and dining rooms, the industry standard is eggshell, which offers a soft, low sheen that hides imperfections while being more washable than flat. Some pros prefer satin for walls in higher-traffic areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and family homes with kids because it is more durable and moisture-resistant. For ceilings, professionals almost always use flat or matte white, because it hides imperfections, absorbs light, and reduces glare. For trim, baseboards, crown molding, window and door casings, interior doors, and cabinets, the professional standard is semi-gloss, because it is hard, durable, easy to clean, and creates an attractive contrast with the lower sheen walls. High-gloss is used selectively for front doors, high-end cabinets, or furniture where a dramatic enamel look is wanted. Exteriorly, pros typically use satin or semi-gloss for trim and doors and a lower sheen like satin or low-lustre for siding.