Which Paint Sheen is Right for Your Painting Project?

When planning your painting project, one of the biggest task can be selecting the right color.  This task becomes even bigger when you realize you also need to pick the right sheen for the surface you’ll be painting!  

What Is Sheen?

A paint’s sheen refers to its reflectivity which is plotted on a type of spectrum with flat finish and very little reflectivity on one end, and high gloss and a lot of reflectivity at the opposite end.  Sheen not only affects the way a painted surface looks, but also affects how the paint performs, so you to apply it where it will look the best and do the most good.

Here are tips for deciding which finish to paint where:

• Flat finish: Flat finish reflects no light, and is perfect for hiding surface imperfections and providing an extremely smooth and even texture.  The downside to flat paint is that it has a porous texture that is highly susceptible to moisture and stains.  Flat paint is perfect for ceilings, in fact, flat and matte paint are the only sheens that should be used on ceilings.  Flat finish is also good for many types of interior walls, including bedrooms and guest rooms.  Flat paint does not do as well in bathrooms, kitchens, and kids rooms, where the susceptibility to moisture and stains can cause problems.
• Eggshell finish:  This finish reflects very little light, and is also good at hiding imperfections on surfaces.  There is a slight amount of gloss in this finish, which makes it easier to clean than flat paint.  We recommend using eggshell finish on almost any kind of interior wall.  
• Satin finish: This finish has more gloss than eggshell, and therefore is easier to clean and better at guarding against moisture.  As such, satin finish is perfect for trim and doors.  Nearly any exterior surface looks good in satin finish, including doors and windows, trim and accents, and the siding itself.  As you can imagine, satin finish is among the most popular finishes, due to its flexibility and aesthetic alike.
• Semi-gloss: This finish is more durable than flat, eggshell, or satin finishes, and is significantly higher in gloss.  This means that while smooth to the touch, it does not provide as smooth of an appearance, and does not hide imperfections as well, but is better at resisting dirt and moisture and is a highly durable finish.  It’s also easy to wipe spills off of semi-gloss paint, allowing it to do well in kitchens and bathrooms and on trim and doors.
• High gloss: This finish is rich in resin, meaning it is highly durable, resilient, and easy to clean.  It’s highly reflective and can highlight any imperfection on a surface.  High gloss paint can occasionally be used for interior trim and doors, particularly if you find that you need to clean or wipe the surfaces frequently.  High gloss paint also can be used on exterior doors, windows, trim, and accents, but is not recommended for siding.

Knowing which type of finish looks best on which type of surface is a big part of planning your interior or exterior painting job.  Many homeowners enjoy the process of researching and selecting the best sheens and finishes to use on each particular surface.  If you are not among these people, call on us to help you determine the best sheen for the surface that is to be painted.

The Best Jacksonville FL Painting Contractors

The Painting Craftsmen is the best professional painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners trust with their interior or exterior house painting projects.  Our technicians are highly trained experts, excited to tackle any painting project with skill and an artist’s eye.  We do high quality work from the prep all the way through to the final coatings of paint or stain.  Clients throughout Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Avondale, Ortega, downtown Jacksonville and beyond trust us as their expert painting company of choice.  Call on us for your home’s painting needs as well!