Sheen describes the degree of light reflection off the painted surface. (Basically – how the paint shines)
Sheen affects the finish’s appearance and durability for certain uses. As the amount of sheen increases, so does hardness or protective value of the coating. It’s important to note that sheens are not standardized, one manufacturer’s satin or Semi-Gloss Paint can have more shine than that of another.
When beginning your painting project, you’ll want to consider the sheen of the paint – or the gloss level. The higher the gloss level, the shinier the appearance and the more scrubbable the finish. Accordingly, different types of sheens can be ideal for different areas of your home. Here are some general recommendations to help you navigate your sheen options by project:
Here are the most common finishes:
Flat Paint: Least amount of shine (non-reflective). Hides surface imperfections but tends to absorb moisture and allows dirt to stick to it. Gets dirty quicker and more difficult to clean than glossier finishes.
(Ideal for low-traffic areas or walls that have lots of imperfections)
Eggshell Paint: More washable and scrubbable than a flat or matte option. They have a slightly lower sheen than satin, but offer a similar level of durability. Eggshell paints are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and family rooms with more traffic and fingerprints since they can be wiped clean more easily.
Satin Paint: Has a soft luster shine. Satin finish is a middle-of-the-road finish, somewhere between flat and glossy. Satin paint will reflect some light back, but it’s definitely more subtle than a gloss or semigloss finish. Satin finish will highlight more imperfections than a flat or eggshell finish. Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and bedrooms.
Semi-Gloss Paint: Has a higher sheen than satin paint. It’s easy to clean, making it excellent for high-traffic areas. Its biggest flaw is it reveals application flaws, such as roller or brush strokes. Wall imperfections will be much more noticable. Ideal for woodwork, trim, doors, bathroom, kitchen.
Gloss Paint: The most durable and easiest to clean of all paint sheens, high-gloss paint is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. Gloss sheen is not recommended for walls because it will highlight all imperfections. High gloss is ideal for cabinets, trim, woodwork and doors.
As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.