Paint Finishes 101
You’ve finally found the perfect color and you’re ready to head off to the paint store and get started! But first there’s one more step to consider before purchasing your paint. What sheen is best for your project?
Sheen refers to the level of gloss (think shininess!) in the paint - flat is at one end of the spectrum, all the way up to a high gloss finish.
This can be a bit confusing for the novice painter as it’s not as cut and dry as you’d think. First ask yourself, how will the space I’m painting be used? Will it get a lot of traffic? Are there likely to be scuffs, scratches, muddy paw prints etc on the wall from time to time? Are you painting an area where the walls may get wet as in a bathroom or even kitchen? And finally, what is the effect you want - do you want the walls to fade into the background and act as a backdrop for artwork and accessories or are you wanting a more dramatic statement like a bold shiny accent wall?
Five Paint Sheens
Flat (also referred to as a matte finish) has the least amount of shine.
Advantages of Flat Paint: Good coverage, requires fewer coats to cover imperfections like patched areas. A flat finish is also good if you’ve got any sort of texture on your wall that you don’t want to highlight. Flat paint can be touched up quite easily with the new paint blending into the old (assuming you aren’t trying to do touch ups 10 years later!) And finally, flat paint is the easiest to work with as you won’t see brushstrokes from cutting in or roller edges.
Disadvantages of Flat Paint: Traditionally flat paint can’t be cleaned or scrubbed. I will add that I recently splattered an entire bottle of Worcestershire all over my creamy vanilla kitchen walls, which would seem impossible as I have tile covering most of the wall space (but it was one of those freak accidents that managed to hit ONLY painted wall area!). I thought for sure I was going to be repainting the kitchen but I had used Sherwin William’s Emerald Paint and it wiped clean with a damp cloth! So at the risk of confusing you further, also consider the brand characteristics. Emerald is one of Sherwin William’s higher end paint lines (you can have any color mixed) and it’s well worth the extra money. I would caution you from ever using the lowest grade paint - there is a difference in quality and durability!
Eggshell is slightly more lustrous than flat paint - think of the beautiful sheen of an eggshell (hence the name).
Advantages of Eggshell Paint: Has the same good coverage as flat paint and tends to hide imperfections almost as well. The biggest advantage over flat paint is that an eggshell finish will give you a little more durability.
Disadvantages of Eggshell Paint: Won’t touch-up quite as well as flat paint because of the increased sheen.
Satin, like flat, is a common interior paint finish with a velvety finish.
Advantages of Satin Paint: The biggest advantage to a satin finish is the ability to clean. It’s not quite as durable as a semi-gloss but more durable than flat or eggshell. You can clean most areas with a damp rag if it’s just a minor dirt smudge or splatter. It’s a good finish for a guest bath or other area that might get damp - but if it’s a high traffic area, say a kid’s bath you might consider a semi-gloss instead.
Disadvantages of Satin Paint: The biggest drawback to choosing a satin finish if you’re doing the painting yourself, is the fact that you will often see brushstrokes and cut-in marks. It takes a certain level of skill to be able to paint with satin and I wouldn’t recommend for beginners. Additionally, satin paint will highlight any imperfections in your walls and if you try and touch-up you’ll notice it!
Semi-Gloss has a shiny, reflective finish.
Advantages of Semi-Gloss Paint: The high durability is probably the top reason for choosing a semi-gloss finish. A good semi-gloss paint should protect your walls and clean easily. If you’re adept at painting, semi-gloss is a great finish for kitchen and baths - but again as with a satin finish, semi-gloss will show brushstrokes and cut-in edges if you’re not a skilled painter. Semi-gloss is widely used for painting trim - windows, doors, baseboards, crown molding etc. It should glide on smoothly and give you a nice shiny finish - one that you can wipe down and clean easily!
Disadvantages of Semi-Gloss Paint: As with a satin finish, painting walls with semi-gloss will highlight imperfections like patched areas if they aren’t completely smooth (and primed over prior to painting). Honestly, I’ve been painting my own homes and those of clients when I had my decorative painting biz and semi-gloss is my least favorite finish to use on walls because it shows every single imperfection and brushstroke if you’re not extremely careful and quick!
High-Gloss, as you can imagine, is the shiniest of all finishes or paint sheens.
Advantages of High-Gloss Paint: Durability is the number one reason for using a high-gloss paint - after it has ‘cured’ (dried thoroughly, usually for several weeks) its nearly indestructible and can withstand scrubbing. The second reason is the beautiful shine that high-gloss offers. High-gloss is an excellent paint for cabinetry and furniture as well as interior and exterior doors. We used a high-gloss white paint on the wood ceilings in our Boho Bungalow master suite to give the space a bright and airy feeling.
Disadvantages of High-Gloss Paint: I’m sure you can guess that a high-gloss finish is going to show every single imperfection and brushstroke! Most professionals will use a sprayer when painting cabinets for this very reason. If you decide you want to use a high-gloss finish on a piece of furniture make sure and sand in between coats for a smooth and shiny finish!
I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion regarding paint sheens. Ultimately, like color, choosing a sheen is a personal choice based on your likes/dislikes and how your space will be used. As I mentioned above, buy the best quality paint you can afford and if you’re still unsure I highly recommend going to one of the paint stores like Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore and asking questions! Most of their employees are experienced paint professionals (unlike some at the big box stores) and are usually more than happy to help you choose the best paint for your project.
Blessings and Happy Painting,
Melissa