How to Choose a Paint Sheen

Whether you’re planning to have the interior or exterior of your home painted, your painter is likely to ask you what type of paint sheen you have in mind. If you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably aware that some paints look shiny and others look dull. This is because of the sheen, which is determined by the paint’s ratio of resins and binders to pigment levels. Generally, high-sheen paints are not only shinier but more durable and stain resistant, while low-sheen paints cover blemishes better and therefore provide a smoother appearance for your walls.

Choosing the best paint sheen for any given project requires considering not only the aesthetic effect you’re after but also the indoor or outdoor climate conditions, especially humidity, which can take quite a toll on house paint. You’ll also want to consider how much exposure to dirt and stains your new paint will face, as high-sheen paints are typically easier to clean than their low-sheen counterparts.

If all this sounds a bit complicated, you can partner with the residential painting experts at Southern Painting and we’ll provide you with guidance on the best paints to choose for your specific project. In the meantime, here’s a short description of the paint sheens you’ll have to choose from:

Glossy

This high-sheen paint is often a good choice for bathrooms, kitchens, kids’ rooms, baseboards, and other areas where the potential for hard-to-scrub stains is great.

Semigloss

This type of paint finish has a little less sheen than glossy paint. It has excellent dirt and moisture resistance, making it a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms where stain resistance is needed but there are dings and dents in the walls that you don’t want to draw attention to.

Satin

Paints marketed as satin, low-lustre, or eggshell are a step or two down in sheen from semigloss but higher than flat-sheen paint. They are often recommended because they offer many of the benefits of flat paint but provide a greater appearance of depth.

Matte

This is low-sheen paint that’s sometimes marketed as flat paint. Because it absorbs light, it doesn’t highlight flaws in wall surfaces and may be an excellent choice for surfaces you don’t want to draw attention to, like ceilings.

If you live in the Southern United States and plan to repaint your home, make sure you check to see whether Southern Painting has local painters serving your community. Contact us today for more information.