The right finish help eliminate expensive visual mis-matches. Light affects surfaces through their sheen. A high gloss surface reflect light better than a flat matte finish. Even if they are the same shade of blue (and you buy two cans and both look the same) one may be high gloss and the other flat matte. Paint a nearby wall using the two different sheens and the result wont look even; the light will hit them differently.
This is because sheen impact not only shine but also maintenance and durability. Selecting the wrong sheen turn a nice afternoon into a weekend of touch-ups. There are six main finish levels from flat to high gloss. It ranges from zero reflectance (flat) to a high-gloss that is just about a mirror. You can see the difference between a flat and a semi-gloss below, left is eggshell. The chart above break this down by showing the six main finish levels from flat to high gloss.
How to Choose the Right Paint Sheen
Flat absorbs light so seams and bumps in drywall is hidden. A flat finish does stain readily, and cannot be scrubbed very effectiveley. The trade-off is intentional; you wouldnt choose flat paint for how easy it is to clean but rather for its soft matte appearance. Perfect for ceilings and hushed adult bedroom where walls rarely get touched.
For most rooms in your home, eggshell and satin are good choices because they combine functionality and beauty. Eggshell has just enough shine to feel warm without demanding attention. Satin go one step further with a soft, velvet feel while resisting moisture and regular use.
Bathrooms and kitchens typically need higher sheen due to constant exposure from high humidity and grease. Flat paint will be stained and steamed out in no time; gloss resist water and easily wiped down with a damp rag. The longevity gain is impressive…just know that any imperfections in prep work will show through on such a glossy surface.
Semi-gloss is what you’ll get most of the time for your cabinets and doors. It’s got some hardness for protection but doesn’t show those little scratches as much as high gloss does. Since cabinets are typically made from wood, they tend to have some rough spots here and there. Semi-gloss allow those spots to not be as prominent while still looking nice.
Gloss: Gloss means shiny, and when applied to cabinets and doors, it makes for a tough-as-nails surface that can withstand nearly anything. The downside is that if you’ve got dinged up cabinet doors or other blemishes in the wood, they’ll really stick out. To achieve gloss, pros spends a lot of time sanding and priming the surface. The finish itself must be made perfect.
More important than what you choose to apply is how you apply it. Glossy finishes come from thicker paints with higher levels of binder that form a harder film. Since the paint is heavier, you have to use a lighter hand when applying it. Two thin coats are always better than one heavy coat; an overloaded roller will drip and run onto your shiny surface and become obvious. You always want to sand between coats if possible so the paint sticks properly and doesn’t trap any texture irregularities or air bubbles. It takes more effort, but it is worth it for durability.
The color and finish will also appear different when you are using lighting. A perfectly even looking wall under the fluorescent lights at the store may be streaky looking under your living room lamp. Depending on what angle the light is coming from, it will hit the sheen in a slightly different way. So test out the sample on the wall where you want to use it. How does it perform? Does it work for you?
When deciding between shiny and not shiny, think about the room’s purpose more than your own. Mismatching finishes create headaches down the road. Do you love a glossy living room but end up with ugly patch marks from moving furniture? Sorry, babe, the sheen is going to draw attention right to the scuffs. Flat paint in a hectic hall means it will be dirty looking after a single year (you can’t just wipe away those scuff marks). Match the finish to the surface: its texture and traffic. Then, you wouldnt of regret this decision.
Maintenance and durability masked by style Color aside, the right paint is all about how it stays looking good and how long it lasts. Knowing how a sheen will hold up to wear and light helps you stop guessing and begin to paint intentionaly. Depending off the can you open, the same blue paint might be soft or sharp. It may be delicate or durable. Select the finish based off the life of the room, not just its mood in the moment.
