The paint sheen you choose can have a big impact on the space you paint, as it determines the amount of light reflected off the painted surface. The sheen can help liven up a dark space or help control the brightness of a space that gets a lot of sunlight. It also impacts the durability of the paint. There are six main types of paint sheen available. Below is a quick look at each type.
Flat – This sheen reflects the lowest amount of light out of all the sheen types. It absorbs more light, so it has little to no shine. This sheen is great for exteriors or walls that might get dings and nicks. A flat sheen allows for spot touch-ups without needing to paint the whole wall.
Matte – This sheen is similar to flat because it absorbs light, but it reflects a little more light than flat. Surfaces painted with a matte sheen have a low luster that has a little more depth than a flat sheen. Matte is a good compromise between the easy touch-ups of flat and the washability of higher sheens. You can still do spot touch-ups without risking a sheen mismatch with new paint.
Eggshell – An eggshell sheen has a softer and almost velvety look to it while still reflecting little light and without much shine. This sheen is great for making something stand out just a bit more than flat. It’s great on walls and trim alike. However, eggshell and all higher sheens cannot be touched-up without resulting in a mismatch in sheen and require a full wall repaint.
Satin – This sheen reflects more light than prior sheen types and has a higher luster that gives paint a pearl-like look. Satin is usually the highest sheen our customers will choose for their walls. However, it is our most popular sheen for trim, doors, and windows.
Semi-gloss – A semi-gloss sheen reflects more light and has a higher shine than satin sheen paint. This sheen often delivers a luminous look. Semi-gloss is usually found on doors, windows, and trim. Rarely will you find this on walls as imperfections or knicks in the wall show up quite easily.
Gloss – This sheen, also known as high-gloss, reflects the most light of all the sheen types and has the most shine. This sheen really stands out and is often used for doors, metal awnings, and areas that need higher protection from the sun. The higher sheen reflects more sunlight, so the colorants in the paint break down at a slower rate. However, like semi-gloss, imperfections in the painted surface are more apparent.
JMJ Painters can help you determine the paint sheen that’s right for you as part of an estimate for your painting project. We also work with a color specialist who can help you choose the right color for your space. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help with your next painting project, give us a call at (612) 255-3351 or schedule a free estimate online.