I find myself answering some of the same questions over and over again on a daily basis. One of these is about the different sheens of paint. There is an amazing amount of confusion on this topic. Most but not all paint manufacturers agree on basic terminology here. There is also some debate about what sheens should be used where and in what rooms. I will attempt to put this all into some perspective.
First off let’s establish the generally accepted order of sheens, ranging from the flattest to the shiniest. It goes something like flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss. Like I said earlier, be careful, because some manufacturers like to be clever and switch things around a bit to confuse us all.
FLAT: This category can include everything from a dead flat paint, which is best used on ceilings or very low abuse walls, to a more durable finish, which I prefer to call Matte, (see below). Flat paints are not a good idea in bathrooms, or kitchens or any room that really requires that you wipe the surface regularly. The benefit of flat paint is that it diffuses light in every direction thereby hiding surface imperfections. It is often seen as the most elegant of sheens since it doesn’t compete with art work or other furnishings in the room. You’ve probably heard the term “museum flat” used to describe this look. Museums will use this non-reflective flat to highlight artwork that is dramatically lit.
MATTE: Here is where it gets most confusing. Many people refer to flat paint as being matte. In the paint world, matte is generally speaking, a sheen that is slightly higher than most flat paints. This sheen is designed to be a smoother more durable finish than traditional flats, and allows for more scrubbability. It is an ideal finish for walls where you want durability but not much sheen. I hesitate to recommend it for kitchens and baths, although there are some low use situations where this could work.
EGGSHELL: This is generally considered to be the most versatile and popular sheen. It is a great all around sheen that works almost anywhere. It’s smooth finish and low sheen refer to the photo above, not a color. This is one of the most common misperceptions around eggshell. When I ask if someone wants eggshell paint they sometimes say, “No I was looking for something a bit darker.” So you see the fun never stops. I do not recommend eggshell paint on large ceilings as its light reflection causes all sorts of problems on this difficult-to-paint surface. Roller tracks and things you never knew were there will suddenly jump out at you with a vengeance.
SATIN: Less shiny than traditional semi-gloss, satin is a great choice for wood trim, kitchens, and bathrooms, especially in older homes with less than perfect substrates. Satin is really too shiny for most living spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, etc.
SEMI-GLOSS: This is the sheen most people think of when they think of painting their trim. Its higher sheen makes it more washable than the others, but it also reveals more surface flaws as well. In high abuse kitchens, and high humidity bathrooms, semi-gloss adds another level of protection. Aesthetically it can make a bold statement in a contemporary setting.
GLOSS/HIGH GLOSS: These two terms are often used interchangeably. They essentially refer to the same thing. Gloss finishes are reserved for the most pristine surfaces, or where you need ultimate protection. The resins used in these paints are harder and more impact resistance. This sheen is rarely used in large doses. It is most often used where its brilliant sheen is seen as a design element. Front doors are one place where both practicality and aesthetics combine to make this a great choice. Surfaces painted with gloss finishes must be prepared perfectly. It is like throwing a beacon light on the surface: you will see every flaw.
I hope this sheds some light on the topic. I realize that I concentrated mostly on interiors in my comments but the same logic can be used on exterior surfaces as well. Lower sheens are less durable but hide imperfections, higher sheens are more durable but reveal flaws. In other words, no flat paint on your trim and no gloss paint on your stucco! I will cover exteriors in more depth in a later post.
