Paint Sheens: What They Are and When to Use Them

Most people have heard of one or more of the different types of paint sheens, but aren’t aware of the details around each of them. Which is best to use in certain areas of the home, and what are the general properties of each. Here we will break down these different aspects to give you a full picture of all things sheen.

There are five different paint sheens available:

• Flat/Matte

• Eggshell

• Satin

• Semi Gloss

• High Gloss

Let’s start with the basics. Paint sheens dictate the amount of light that gets reflected off of the paint and back into the room. The more sheen, the more reflection. While there are general “rules” when it come to sheen, the truth is you can do any of them just about anywhere and not run into any major issues. But to make life easier, there are a few things to consider and questions to ask yourself when deciding on which sheen you should go with.

Traffic

Are you painting a high or low traffic area? How often does the room get used, and who uses it most often? For example, living rooms and hallways have higher traffic than bedrooms or formal dining rooms. Children and pets both tend to come with messes so that’s definitely one thing to consider, as sheen also dictates how easy it is to clean.

Natural Light

Since sheen is all about light reflection - how much natural light does the space get? Are you trying to brighten the space or make it more subdued? Rooms with low natural light may or may not be a great choice for a low-sheen paint.

Surface

Is the drywall or other surface you’re painting in good shape, or are there imperfections you’d like to try to hide? The answer to this question may be the deciding factor.

Now that we know which questions to ask ourselves, let’s dive into the five different sheen options and best practices for each.

SHEENS

Flat/Matte

This options has essentially no sheen at all. It provides excellent coverage, is great for hiding imperfections, and requires fewer coats than higher sheen paints. But just like most things, there are some downsides. It is the least durable option, and can be chipped or nicked easily. It can also be hard to clean - grime just seems to stick like glue, and because of it’s lack of durability even certain cleaners can damage the surface. It’s best to use flat paint in low traffic areas, and isn’t a great option in medium to high traffic areas of homes with kids or pets.

Eggshell

This is probably one of the most popular options. It has a light and delicate sheen, covers imperfections well and is much easier to clean than flat paint - you won’t damage it with cleaning solutions. It’s also more durable and can hold up in low-medium traffic areas. Eggshell paint is great on the walls in just about any room no matter how much traffic it gets.

Satin

Satin is another very popular option. It has a velvety sheen (a bit more than eggshell) and is even easier to clean and more durable. By now I’m sure you’re seeing a pattern - the more sheen the paint has, the more durable and easier to clean it is. Satin paint does tend to show brush strokes more than lower sheen options, so be sure to choose the right level of nap on your roller covers. It works great in higher traffic areas as well as areas with moisture like kitchens and baths.

Semi-Gloss

This paint is shiny and quite reflective. It’s durable as well as mildew resistant. It’s a great choice for moldings and interior doors as well as areas with high traffic and moisture. Because of tends to show imperfections more than lower sheen paints, so if the surface is damaged this may not be an ideal choice.

High Gloss

The shiniest of the bunch! It’s the most durable and easiest to clean. It’s a great choice for cabinetry and can also be used outside on exterior doors and shutters.

GUIDES

Here are some visual aids to illustrate how each sheen differs when it comes to durability, coverage and light reflection.

We hope you have a better grasp on each of the paint sheens and when to use them. If you want more information, reach out! We'd love to discuss your project and answer and questions you may have.