Choosing Paint Sheen - Flat, Satin, Eggshell, Semi-gloss, & Gloss

Choosing paint can be confusing at first as there are so many paints on the market. But with a little understanding of the different types of paint, you will quickly become a paint finish expert!

The most common types of paint are: Flat, satin or eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss.

Paint

What is Paint Sheen?
Paint sheen is the level of glossiness in paint. In other words, high gloss paint will make your walls look somewhat shiny while a flat paint won't have any shine. This is important for you because certain sheen paints a better for certain rooms in your home. For example, flat paint conceals scratches and other pre existing wall imperfections well, so it would be a good choice for hallway walls in a household with children. Read below to learn about each paint sheen type.

Flat Paint

• Commonly used on most walls
• Lowest sheen
• Smooth, matte finish
• Non-reflective
• Conceals wall imperfections
• Best for painting uneven surfaces or drywall

Satin or Eggshell

• Low-luster
• Slight sheen
• Brings warmth and depth to a room
• Easier to clean than compared to flat paint

Semi-Gloss

• Very durable
• Easiest to clean
• Does NOT conceal imperfections
• Often used in kitchens and bathrooms
• Also frequently used in children's bedrooms

Gloss

• Most durable of all paints
• Highest sheen
• Used for doors being that it is so durable
• Good for trimming baseboard and door frames

Additional Considerations: Oil or Latex Paint?
Most paints come with a base option of oil or latex. Your decision will be based on several factors such as what surface you will be painting and what room you will be applying the paint to.

Oil Paint

• Better Abrasion resistance
• Higher gloss
• More durable then latex
• Smoother application than latex
• Seals stains well
• Harder to clean up after using oil based paint

Latex Paint

• More popular because It's easier to clean up, less odor, and overall easier to manage
• Water Based
• Fast drying
• Easy to apply
• Resists yellowing, fading and mildew
• Good for metal surfaces
• Best bet for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms

Choosing Paint Sheen - Flat, Satin, Eggshell, Semi-gloss, & Gloss

Marcy Tate is a content writer for Networx.com and has been working in the home improvement industry for over 10 years.

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Semigloss Versus Flat Paint

Obviously, the main difference between semigloss versus flat paint is the level of reflectiveness. Semigloss paint gives a shiny finish that reflects any available light. This often makes it a better choice for interior paint than exterior. Depending on your area and the amount of shade around the house, direct sunlight may reflect too much for semigloss paint to be appropriate outside.

The reflective nature of semigloss paint will emphasize any scratches or dings in the walls, making flat paint a better choice in older homes with some damage and wear. Flat paints can be very useful in painting over areas in new drywall construction where the taping is not sanded as smoothly as it should be. Joints where a porous compound was used for bonding may also be a good candidate for flat paint versus semiglossy. These areas of new construction can be primed later on and a new coat of glossy paint can be applied once all of the imperfections have been smoothed out.

Paint

Semigloss paint is also less durable than flat because minor scratches can be enough to mar the entire wall's appearance. This may be something to consider if you have pets or small children that will be bumping into the walls. Unfortunately, flat paint is harder to clean, which may make the tradeoff about even. Flat paint is more porous, which allows dirt to stick far better than it would on a glossy surface.

The answer to this may be a compromise somewhere in the middle. Eggshell paints are now available that give you a little bit of a glossy finish without becoming as bright as a semigloss paint. This offers more stain protection than a flat paint while still being forgiving enough to use in damaged or high-traffic areas of your home. Eggshell paint is often a good choice for exterior uses where you want a touch of shine without it becoming blinding in the midday sun.

Glossy and semigloss paint is generally not a good idea for ceilings as they will reflect the room's light back down toward the occupants. If you

Semigloss Versus Flat Paint

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