Starting a paint project at your home? Choosing a paint color is just half the battle of getting started. Determining which paint finish (or sheen) is the second half of a sometimes tricky process. The right sheen can enhance the final look of a space and make cleaning and maintenance easier. Choosing a paint sheen often depends on several factors, including the room’s purpose, the level of traffic the space experiences, and how frequently the surfaces need to be cleaned. From flat paint to high gloss, let’s review when and where you’ll want to use each sheen in your home.
Understanding Paint Finish Levels
Many homeowners who schedule a paint project have a color in mind for a space, but often they have not considered which paint sheen or finish they would like. Each paint manufacturer uses a different name for the types of finishes, but the look and functionality are the same.
We use paint finishes ranging from the least shiny and most color-absorbing flat finish to the highest gloss and most color-reflective finish. Each finish has a different level of glossiness, durability, color reflection/absorption, and washability, making its use and appearance unique in each space.
Where To Use High-Gloss or Semi-Gloss Finishes
These two finishes are at the top of the gloss spectrum and best suited for trim, baseboards, kitchen cabinets, doors, and other high-traffic areas. High-gloss and semi-gloss finishes are easy to clean and will not damage the aesthetic of the paint, should you need to scrub off smudges, messy fingerprints or food stains such as those found around cooking and meal prep areas.
The semi or high-gloss finishes are highly durable, making them a good choice around trim and doors as these areas tend to need more cleaning than other wall surfaces. The glossiness level is high and light-reflective, making it a good choice for architectural details such as molding, baseboards, and trim.
In general, high-gloss and semi-gloss finishes are not recommended for walls, as they are often too shiny and accentuate any imperfections in the drywall or plaster.
Where To Use Flat Finishes
Flats, or sometimes referred to as matte sheens, have a very dull finish, putting them at the far end of the glossiness spectrum.
A flat sheen is best suited for ceilings and sometimes walls, as they experience significantly less traffic from finger marks and furniture smudges. These areas require less cleaning and are often less glossy.
Additionally, flat finishes do a perfect job of hiding imperfections on walls and ceilings, as their reflective properties are lower, making them a light-absorbing surface.
Where To Use Satin & Eggshell Sheens
These two sheens are positioned in the middle of the glossiness spectrum, making them the most common level of sheen for walls – neither too glossy nor too flat. This means that these finishes are both durable and can withstand some level of washing, but are more absorbent of light than the slightly higher gloss levels.
Satin and eggshell give a soft sheen that is “just” right for spaces such as living rooms, mudrooms, bedrooms, hallways and living rooms.
Drop us a line at Liberty Painting & Siding if you’re interested in starting your next paint project and need help determining the best paint sheen for your space.
Starting a paint project at your home? Choosing a paint color is just half the battle of getting started. Determining which paint finish (or sheen) is the second half of a sometimes tricky process. The right sheen can enhance the final look of a space and make cleaning and maintenance easier. Choosing a paint sheen often depends on several factors, including the room’s purpose, the level of traffic the space experiences, and how frequently the surfaces need to be cleaned. From flat paint to high gloss, let’s review when and where you’ll want to use each sheen in your home.
Understanding Paint Finish Levels
Many homeowners who schedule a paint project have a color in mind for a space, but often they have not considered which paint sheen or finish they would like. Each paint manufacturer uses a different name for the types of finishes, but the look and functionality are the same.
We use paint finishes ranging from the least shiny and most color-absorbing flat finish to the highest gloss and most color-reflective finish. Each finish has a different level of glossiness, durability, color reflection/absorption, and washability, making its use and appearance unique in each space.
Where To Use High-Gloss or Semi-Gloss Finishes
These two finishes are at the top of the gloss spectrum and best suited for trim, baseboards, kitchen cabinets, doors, and other high-traffic areas. High-gloss and semi-gloss finishes are easy to clean and will not damage the aesthetic of the paint, should you need to scrub off smudges, messy fingerprints or food stains such as those found around cooking and meal prep areas.
The semi or high-gloss finishes are highly durable, making them a good choice around trim and doors as these areas tend to need more cleaning than other wall surfaces. The glossiness level is high and light-reflective, making it a good choice for architectural details such as molding, baseboards, and trim.
In general, high-gloss and semi-gloss finishes are not recommended for walls, as they are often too shiny and accentuate any imperfections in the drywall or plaster.
Where To Use Flat Finishes
Flats, or sometimes referred to as matte sheens, have a very dull finish, putting them at the far end of the glossiness spectrum.
A flat sheen is best suited for ceilings and sometimes walls, as they experience significantly less traffic from finger marks and furniture smudges. These areas require less cleaning and are often less glossy.
Additionally, flat finishes do a perfect job of hiding imperfections on walls and ceilings, as their reflective properties are lower, making them a light-absorbing surface.
Where To Use Satin & Eggshell Sheens
These two sheens are positioned in the middle of the glossiness spectrum, making them the most common level of sheen for walls – neither too glossy nor too flat. This means that these finishes are both durable and can withstand some level of washing, but are more absorbent of light than the slightly higher gloss levels.
Satin and eggshell give a soft sheen that is “just” right for spaces such as living rooms, mudrooms, bedrooms, hallways and living rooms.
Drop us a line at Liberty Painting & Siding if you’re interested in starting your next paint project and need help determining the best paint sheen for your space.
