When it comes to painting projects, choosing the right sheen can make all the difference in the look of the finished product. From glossy to matte finishes, understanding what each type of paint sheen offers is key in determining which one best suits your needs. With a greater range of options than ever before, selecting the perfect paint sheen for your project has never been easier. In this article , we’ll explore the different types of paint sheens to help you decide which one works best for your application.
What is Paint Sheen?
A paint sheen is the degree of glossiness or shininess in a coat of paint. It reflects light and ranges from a dull matte to a high-gloss shine. The higher the sheen, the more durable and washable it is — but also the more reflective it is. Choosing the right sheen for your project will depend on where it’s being used as well as personal preference.
Importance of choosing the right paint sheen
The importance of choosing the right paint sheen cannot be overstated. The type of sheen you choose will influence the look and feel of your project. A high-gloss sheen will give a glossy, reflective finish that is highly durable and washable; it is often used in areas where extra durability is needed such as kitchen cabinets or trim work. A matte finish will give a flat, non-reflective finish that is less durable but can be easier to touch up; it is often used in living rooms or bedrooms.
Types of Paint Sheens
Flat/Matte
Flat or matte sheens are the least reflective of all paint sheens and provide a soft, velvety finish. This type of sheen works best in areas that don’t get a lot of wear and tear, such as living rooms, bedrooms, or hallways. Because it is not as durable as other types of sheens, it is not recommended for high traffic areas or surfaces that need to be washed frequently.
Eggshell/Low-Luster
Eggshell or low-luster sheens provide a subtle level of gloss and are slightly more durable than flat/matte sheens. They are best used on walls in medium to high traffic areas, such as hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms. The slight shine helps them resist staining and is easier to clean than flat/mat te sheens.
Satin/Medium-Luster
Satin or medium-luster sheens provide a subtle shine and have a slightly higher durability than eggshell/low-luster sheens. They are best used on walls in high traffic areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. Satin finishes can also be used on trim and doors, as they are more durable than flat/mat te sheens.
Semi-Gloss/Low-Gloss
Semi-gloss or low-gloss sheens provide a glossy, yet subtle, shine and are the most durable of all paint sheens. They are best used on walls in high traffic areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. Semi-gloss finishes can also be used on trim and doors, as they are even more durable than satin/medium-luster sheens.
Gloss/High-Gloss
Gloss or high-gloss sheens provide the highest level of shine and durability of all paint sheens. They are best used on surfaces that need to be cleaned frequently, such as trim and doors, as they are highly durable and easy to clean. Gloss finishes can also be used in high traffic areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways.
Key Characteristics
Appearance
The appearance of a paint sheen will depend on the type of finish chosen. Flat/matte finishes provide a soft, velvety look with no reflection. Eggshell/low-luster sheens offer a subtle level of gloss with some shine and are slightly more durable than flat/matte sheens. Satin/medium-luster sheens provide a subtle shine with greater durability than eggshell sheens. Semi-gloss/low-gloss sheens provide a glossy, yet subtle, shine with the highest durability of all paint sheens. Gloss/high-gloss sheens offer the highest level of shine and durability.
Durability
The durability of a paint sheen will vary depending on the type of finish chosen. Flat/matte finishes are not as durable as other sheens and are best used in areas that don’t get a lot of wear and tear. Eggshell/low-luster sheens provide slightly more durability than flat/matte sheens and are best used in medium to high traffic areas. Satin/medium-luster sheens are more durable than eggshell sheens and are best used in high traffic areas. Semi-gloss/low-gloss sheens provide the highest durability of all paint sheens and are best used on surfaces that need to be cleaned frequently. Gloss/high-gloss sheens offer the highest level of shine and durability and are best used on surfaces that need to be cleaned frequently.
Cleanability
The cleanability of a paint sheen will depend on the type of finish chosen. Flat/matte finishes are not as easy to clean as other sheens since dirt and dust can stick more easily to the surface. Eggshell/low-luster sheens are slightly easier to clean than flat/matte sheens, but still require regular cleaning for optimal maintenance.
Stain Resistance
The stain resistance of a paint sheen will depend on the type of finish chosen. Flat/matte finishes are not as resistant to stains and can be more difficult to clean than other sheens. Eggshell/low-luster sheens offer a slight level of protection against stains and are slightly more resistant than flat/matte sheens. Satin/medium -luster sheens provide a greater level of stain resistance than eggshell sheens. Semi-gloss/low-gloss and gloss/high-gloss sheens offer the highest level of stain resistance and are best used on surfaces that need to be cleaned frequently.
Reflectivity
The reflectivity of a paint sheen will depend on the type of finish chosen. Flat/matte finishes have no reflection and provide a soft, velvety look. Eggshell/low-luster sheens offer slight to moderate levels of reflectivity with some shine. Satin/medium-luster sheens provide a subtle shine with greater reflectivity than eggshell sheens. Semi-gloss/low-gloss sheens provide a glossy, yet subtle, shine with the highest level of reflectivity. Gloss/high-gloss sheens offer the highest level of shine and reflectivity.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Paint Sheen
Room/Space
When choosing a paint sheen for a particular room or space, it is important to consider the amount of traffic and activity that will take place in the area. For rooms that have high levels of activity such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and children’s bedrooms, it is best to choose a paint sheen with greater durability such as semi-gloss or gloss finishes.
Surface
The surface that the paint is being applied to will also determine the type of sheen chosen. Generally, smooth surfaces tend to look best with higher sheens, while rougher surfaces look better with lower sheens. For example, a semi-gloss finish may be ideal for a kitchen countertop, while a flat finish would work better on a wall. It is also important to consider the porosity of the surface, as highly porous surfaces may require a higher sheen to prevent staining.
Lighting
Lighting is an important factor to consider when choosing a paint sheen. The type of lighting in the room will determine which sheen looks best. Natural light tends to enhance the reflective qualities of higher sheens, while artificial light can make lower sheens appear duller. In rooms with little or no natural light, lower sheens may be more suitable as they are less likely to be affected by artificial light.
Personal Preference
When choosing a paint sheen, personal preference is also an important factor to consider. While the durability, cleanability, and reflectivity of a paint sheen are important considerations, one’s own aesthetic tastes should be taken into account as well. Certain sheens may provide better protection or reflectivity than others, but it is ultimately up to the individual to decide which sheen will best suit the space.
Applications
Interior Walls
Interior walls can be finished with a variety of paint sheens, depending on the look desired. Flat/matte finishes are generally best for walls in bedrooms and living rooms, as they provide a soft, velvety look and are easier to touch up if needed. Eggshell/low-luster sheens can also be used on interior walls, but offer less coverage than flat finishes.
Satin/medium-luster sheens are great for high traffic areas, as they provide more stain resistance and durability than flat/matte or eggshell/low-luster sheens. Semi-gloss/low-gloss and gloss/high-gloss sheens can be used on walls in bathrooms or kitchens, as they are highly resistant to staining and easy to clean .
Interior Trim
Interior trim, such as window and door frames, can be finished with a variety of paint sheens, depending on the look desired. Eggshell/low-luster sheens are generally best for interior trim due to their subtle shine and moderate reflectivity. They also provide a higher level of stain resistance than flat/matte sheens. Satin/medium-luster sheens can also be used for interior trim, as they provide a subtle sheen with greater reflectivity than eggshell/low-luster sheens. Semi-gloss/low-gloss and gloss/high-gloss sheens are also suitable for interior trim, but should generally be avoided in living spaces due to their reflective properties.
Exterior Surfaces
For exterior surfaces, the type of paint sheen should be chosen based on the amount of exposure to the elements and desired look. Flat/matte finishes are generally best for areas with little to no direct sunlight, as they provide good coverage but have a tendency to fade in direct sunlight.
Eggshell/low-luster sheens can also be used on exterior surfaces, as they are more resistant to fading than flat/matte sheens. Satin/medium-luster and semi-gloss/low-gloss sheens can be used on exterior surfaces exposed to direct sunlight, as they provide better resistance to fading. Gloss/high-gloss sheens should generally be avoided for exterior surfaces due to their tendency to yellow in direct sunlight.
Furniture
Furniture is a great opportunity for expressing individual style and can be finished with a variety of paint sheens, depending on the look desired. Flat/matte sheens are generally best for furniture that gets little to no use, as they are easier to touch up if needed. Eggshell/low-luster sheens can also be used on furniture, as they provide more coverage than flat/matte sheens and are more resistant to staining.
Satin/medium-luster sheens can also be used on furniture, as they provide a subtle sheen with greater reflectivity than eggshell/low-luster sheens. Semi-gloss/low-gloss and gloss/high-gloss sheens should generally be avoided for furniture, as they are more likely to show fingerprints and dust.
Conclusion
Choosing the right paint sheen can be daunting, but with a few helpful tips, it can be made much easier. As a general rule, the type of paint sheen should be chosen based on the amount of exposure to the elements and desired look. Flat/matte finishes are generally best for walls in bedrooms and living rooms , while eggshell/low-luster sheens are ideal for trim.
Satin/medium-luster and semi-gloss/low-gloss sheens are great for high traffic areas, while gloss/high-gloss sheens should generally be avoided in living spaces due to their reflective properties. Finally, furniture can be finished with a variety of paint sheens, depending on the look desired. When in doubt, it is best to consult a professional painter for advice and tips on choosing the right paint sheen for your project.
