Choosing the Correct Paint Sheen for Your Project

Choosing paint sheen is as much about personal preference as it is about the amount of wear and tear the painted surface will receive.

The sheen or gloss level of a paint — either oil or water based — is the degree to which the coated surface reflects light. The more resin or binder in the paint, the higher the sheen, the smoother the finish, and the more durable the surface coat. Conversely, the higher the pigment levels in the paint and the coarser the pigment granules, the duller, rougher, and less resilient the finish.

Because paint sheens are not standardized among paint companies or product categories, always use sample chips to make selections. Some manufacturers may have their own descriptive names such as velvet, pearl, or silk. But most sheens are commonly called flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss.

Understanding the characteristics of each sheen will help you choose the right sheen for every interior or exterior application.
Flat: A matte finish that creates a reflection-free surface. The surface has a chalky appearance like unglazed tile. Because the matte finish diffuses light, flat paint tends to hide rough or dented surface imperfections better than higher sheen finishes. Contractors often select it for new construction because it is better at hiding patched areas and nail holes. Flat sheens are easier to touch-up, since there is little contrast between the sheen of the touch-up paint and the weathered sheen of the painted surface. Flat sheens are perfect for low-traffic areas like master bedrooms, formal dining rooms, and the exterior body surface of homes. Flat paints show soil and scuffs readily and are not known for their washability. Their rough texture traps dirt easily.

Eggshell

This sheen gets its name from the texture of an eggshell. Eggshell has a slight sheen that is apparent when looking at the surface at an angle or when the surface is side-lighted. Having a very slight gloss makes eggshell surfaces more dirt-resistant and more washable than flat finishes. Eggshell finishes are good for living rooms, family rooms, and hallways. Eggshell is often selected for repainting aluminum or vinyl siding, because it more closely matches the original siding manufacturer’s sheen.

Satin

This sheen is considered the most versatile because its rich velvety surface has good scruff resistance and scrubability. It performs well in any room or exterior surface because it has a surface texture that is just smooth enough to shed rainwater, but not shiny enough to reflect much sunlight.

Semi-gloss

This finish has a slightly glossy appearance but is not wet looking. Semi-gloss surfaces afford maximum durability. It is a good choice for walls and woodwork that get heavy use and need frequent scrubbing. Because its higher sheen value provides it with a harder, smoother finish semi-gloss is often used in high-moisture areas like laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and in children’s rooms. It is the most widely used exterior trim paint, highlighting features like shutters, doors, eaves, and porch ceilings. Its higher light reflection however accents surface nicks and dents.

Gloss

Gloss is both the term used to define how shiny paint is and to characterize the shiniest paint finish. Gloss paint dries to a mirror-like finish. The easiest paint finish to clean, gloss finishes are good for heavily used areas where fingerprints, grease, or grime are common. The durable smooth surface is highly moisture resistant. Its high light reflection does however accent every surface irregularity or imperfection. Gloss is most often used for trim work or on cabinets, banisters, doorframes, windowsills, and window frames. The glossier the finish the more intense the color seems.

If a manufacturer’s sheen does not work aesthetically for a particular project consider mixing two sheens together to get a custom sheen or as one painting contractor calls it “the in-between- finish.” The Metro Recycled Paint Program has been mixing all sheens of latex paint together for years. The volume of its homogenization process results in consistently producing a low-sheen eggshell finish. The trick for the do-it-yourselfer when creating an eggshell finish is to mix only water-based interior paints together or only water-based exterior paints together and to stir thoroughly.