Paint Finishes For Walls And The Qualities Of Their Sheen

In general, paint finishes come in five different sheens. Sheen refers to the degree of gloss or reflectivity on a surface. Gloss is measured in gloss units ranging from 0 to 100 and is a measure of the amount of light reflected off a surface. Coatings are typically available in a range of sheens from flat to gloss, and the terms flat or matte, low luster eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss are all well-known references. A flat paint sheen has a gloss level of between 2 and 6 gloss units, while a gloss paint sheen has a gloss level of between 80 and 90. However, because there is no industry standard for sheen names, the actual gloss level associated with each sheen name varies between paint manufacturers. These options are suitable for all painted surfaces in your home, including ceilings, walls, and floors, but you can also experiment with your own ideas to create unique finishes for each surface. The sheen of the paint you use in conjunction with other wall finishes will affect the reflectiveness of the room’s surfaces.

Flat/Matte Paint Finishes

Flat paints, also known as Matte paints, are the least glossy. They cover the greatest amount of surface area per gallon and require fewer coats to conceal flaws such as nail holes or minor wall cracks. However, while they provide excellent coverage, they are not particularly durable and will become damaged during scrubbing. With this in mind, matte paints are best used in low-traffic areas of your home. There are dining rooms, cleaning closets, and pantries included in this category. They are also used on infrequently touched surfaces, such as ceilings. Flat paints are not recommended for use in kitchens, bathrooms, or children’s rooms. On a matte-finish wall, the only way to remove stains, marks, and fingerprints is to repaint.

Matte Properties

• Least reflective
• Smooth, soft appearance
• The industry standard low-gloss finish for interiors
• Hides wall or ceiling surface flaws
• The low-gloss finish offers more depth to the color
• Opaque, sophisticated

Eggshell Paint Finishes

Eggshell is a popular finish choice for paint. In comparison to flat paints, they have a slight sheen and are more resilient. Eggshell paints are ideal for spaces with low to moderate occupancy levels, such as living rooms, family rooms, corridors, hallways, anterooms, and foyers. Eggshell paints are frequently used as decorative finishes due to their low luster. While its resilience allows for easier cleaning, it is still unsuitable for the required maintenance of a kitchen or bathroom wall.

Eggshell Properties

• Average reflectivity
• Higher resilience
• Perfect for public-facing areas of your home
• Middle ground for pigment and strength
• Easier to wash than flat paints

Satin Paint Finishes

Satin paints have a velvety sheen and are less difficult to maintain than flat or eggshell paints, making them ideal for high-traffic areas of your home such as your kitchen, recreation room, bathroom, and laundry room, among other places. Due to satin’s more pronounced shine, the contours of walls are sharpened, adding depth to smaller spaces such as a hallway or study nook while simultaneously making them appear larger. Note that satin paint has a high sheen property, making brushstrokes more visible and best applied with a roller. 

Satin Properties

• High-gloss means less pigment and more binding resins which add to the durability
• Less prone to marks, divots, scuffs, scratches, stains, and dents
• Easier to clean than eggshell paints
• Suitable for high-traffic areas such as entryways, bedrooms, family rooms, as well as chairs, end tables, and other frequently used furniture

Semi-gloss Paint Finishes

A semi-gloss finish on the walls helps to brighten a room. Semi-gloss is frequently compared to satin but has significantly more sheen. This means that light from windows and lamps will reflect more easily off semi-gloss paint than it will of a flatter finish, such as eggshell or satin. Due to their extreme durability and mildew resistance, they are ideal for rooms that are frequently exposed to high levels of humidity and moisture. They are ideal for rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms where moisture, drips, and grease stains frequently end up on the walls. Additionally, they are the preferred choice for trim paints. They do, however, highlight wall imperfections due to their increased reflectivity and gloss.

Semi-gloss Properties

• Subtle reflective sheen
• High durability means it can withstand multiple cleanings
• Best for kitchens, bathrooms, and doors, window trims, moldings, wall baseboards, bathrooms, and accent walls
• Recommended paint for window trims, accent walls, moldings, and baseboards

High-gloss Paint Finishes

High-gloss paints are the most gleaming of the types, giving the appearance of being polished. Most designers would consider it a specialty finish due to the brilliant sheen it produces. The glitzy glass-like effect is as challenging to achieve as it is beautiful. Indeed, it is the most difficult of all paint finishes to apply. They are also the most durable, making them ideal for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and children’s bedrooms. Scrub away food stains, grime, and crayon marks easily without causing damage to the paint surface. Its sheeny appearance makes it an excellent choice for doors, trims, accents, and cabinetry. Additionally, this paint can be used as an exterior accent for facades or shutters. Consider using this paint family on the door trim, cabinetry, and trim.

High-gloss Properties

• Highest reflectivity, almost mirror-like
• Goes well when paired with other types of finishes creating varied textures
• Harder to apply requiring quarter-inch paint rollers or high-density rollers
• Easiest to clean and scrub
• Excellent for trims and accents such as crown moldings, trims, and decorative features

Additional Painting Tips

Painting is almost always one of the last things to be completed on a project’s punch list. From there, when to paint is determined by the amount of work needed in the space. Before embarking on an interior painting or remodeling project, consider the following considerations: 

Prepare A Sample Board

Collect as many samples of your desired paint finish as possible and experiment with color combinations on your sample board. Utilize photographs to help you visualize the space. The more information you have about the desired paint finish in front of you, the more clearly you can visualize the result.

Higher Sheen Results In Richer, More Intense Finish

Flat paint can give a color a slightly lighter appearance due to its chalky finish. Glossy surfaces can make colors appear darker. The color will appear richer because of how the sheen of the surface will reflect light. However, due to this sheen, wall surfaces are magnified. To avoid wall imperfections, properly smoothen the surface with sanding before applying high-gloss or semi-gloss paints.

Base Preparation Matters

Certain water-based paints may not adhere to previously coated oil-based paint. After a while, this may result in the new coating peeling. The wall must be dry and free of dust before applying a new base coat of paint. This can be accomplished by sanding down, removing old plasters, correcting, and washing the wall surface.

Water-based Paint Colors May Not Be As Vivid

Water-based colors have a silky consistency and may lack the shine of oil-based ones. But, the paint’s substance is more synthetic so the color doesn’t fade even if it is exposed to sunlight every day. Water-based paints are much easier to use because they dry faster and can be washed with only running water. They are flexible and resistant to cracks. They are generally good on nearly all surfaces.

The Attractive Gloss Of Oil-based Paints

If you’re looking for an extra sheen, oil-based colors are your best bet. Bear in mind that oil-based paints may dry more slowly, emit harmful VOCs, and can only be cleaned with solvents or spirits. Oil-based paint does have some disadvantages. However, its rich and glossy finish compensates for these shortcomings. They are particularly well-suited for furniture and ironwork.

Paint Finishes Are Only As Good As The Tools Used

While power tools will ensure a professional and smooth finish, paint rollers and brushes are cost-effective alternatives that can also be used to complete the job. To ensure high-quality work, you may want to consider additional painter’s tools such as paint sprayers or painter’s tape, wall cleaners, and fiber mesh tapes.

Choosing The Right Paint For The Design Intent

This guide makes no specific recommendations or tips on how to choose the appropriate paint finishes but only compares the various sheen effects associated with the type of paint. Understanding the distinctions between various paint finishes will assist you in making informed design decisions for your exterior or interior. The final interior or architecture is still determined by the design intent. Experimentation with different finishes and textures is encouraged to create an interior space with a distinct ambiance.

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