Glossy paint - is it okay for all areas or just the kitchen and bathroom?

Question

What is the purpose of glossy paint? I'd been told a long time ago that you shouldn't paint an entire home with glossy paint because the walls can't breathe. I don't know anything about paint but here's my situation: I work for a company who deals with adolescent clients. The adolescents are tearing our walls up - black marks everywhere! I've painted these walls three times this year due to these marks - and am wondering if it would be okay to use glossy paint instead - as it the Mr. Clean sponge does a great job cleaning marks on glossy paint. Are the other kinds of washable paint that could be used if glossy is unacceptable? Please help!

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

You can paint any walls with glossy paint. The purpose of it is that it has a lot longer life on the walls and is super easy to clean up. The drawback to it is that it shows streaks really badly so unless you are a super good painter, I would definitely leave it to the professionals. You will also always have to use glossy when you paint there as once it is glossy, it should always be glossy.

Answer 2

Like other posts stated,you can use gloss anywhere you choose its simply preferance, it is primarly used in kitchens, baths, and hallway type aplications, simply because it is much easier to clean and has better srubbing durability since it is non pourous.

The only draw backs aside from the bright sheen is the fact that it will show more imperfections in the wall, apose to a flat sheen, which hides.If ever decided to top coat with a different sheen just make sure either prep it with a deglosser or apply zinsser 123 primer which sticks to glossy surfaces and requires no sanding.GL

Answer 3

Just remember, if you decide to paint over the gloss paint with anything other than more gloss paint one day, you'll have to lightly sand and prime the whole area before painting.

Answer 4

It's a matter of taste and decor, really.  A glossy paint has a harder easier to clean surface.  The drawback is the shiny effect especially in strong lighting.

I use glossy (when I can sneak it past the decorators that live on another planet) in commercial high traffic or high wear areas because it wears and cleans the up best.  

If you can stand the smell and mess for a bit, use a commercial enamel oil based paint as it will dry the with hardest surface.

As for the walls breathing, they get plenty of air on the backside.

Answer 5

You can use a high gloss paint anywhere you wish. I've never heard of a wall "breathing", in fact most walls have a vapor barrier in them (a plastic film that seals the wall). Paint away!...