What Are the Various Paint Sheens?

So, you’re planning on updating your home in Farmington, CT, and have settled on the perfect paint color for your interior painting project. Now all you need to do is select the right paint sheen for the rooms you are painting. Don’t worry; the pros here at Franklin Painting are here to walk you through the entire process.

So, what is a paint sheen?

When we speak about paint sheen, we mean the amount of light it reflects. Some polishes are more reflective or glossier than others. They range from gloss (shiniest or highly reflective) to flat (least reflective, low luster). So, it is essential to consider the sheen when painting interior or exterior surfaces.

Types of Sheens

There are six types of paint sheens. The sheen you should choose for your painting project depends on the room or area you are painting.
 Flat: Flat is just that; it has no shine or gloss. It’s a great general-purpose paint for any room in the home, like bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and even the ceiling. The advantage of flat paint is that it hides any imperfections your wall may have, making it an excellent choice when remodeling an older home.
 Eggshell: Eggshell has been the traditional go-to paint for interior walls for decades. It has a similar sheen to matte, making it easy to clean. As a result, it’s a perfect all- purpose paint sheen for practically any room in your home, especially high-traffic areas like the foyer, family room or den, and kitchen.
 Matte: Matte is a low-luster paint with a light sheen. It, too, does an excellent job at hiding wall imperfections, making it a great alternative to flat or eggshell color sheens for low-traffic areas, such as hallways, bedrooms, and guest bathrooms.
 Satin: Satin is a premium sheen that dries into a silky finish on surfaces. It is a durable paint that is easy to clean, making it an excellent choice for children’s bedrooms, laundry rooms, and the master bathroom.
 Semi-gloss: Semi-gloss paints have a beautiful shiny finish. It is a versatile and durable paint that is an excellent choice for humid areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and doors.
 Gloss: This high-reflective sheen gives surfaces a shiny finish. Since the more lustrous the paint, the more imperfections it will show, you will want to repair any nail holes and other wall damage before painting. It can be used on any home surface, including exterior walls and doors. It is also easy to clean and maintain.

How to Choose the Right Sheen for Your Painting Project

Franklin Painting is a full-service house painting contractor serving Hartford County, CT, and surrounding towns, including Avon, CT, Plainville, CT, and Simsbury, CT. Our highly skilled professional painters and interior design team will help you select the right specialty paint to give your home the impression you desire. Call 877.646.7774 or contact us here to schedule an appointment for a free estimate today!

Frank Campanelli

Frank Campanelli, the esteemed founder of Franklin Painting LLC, has been leading the company since 1986. He takes immense pride in the stellar reputation his dedicated team has built by consistently delivering top-notch service to each customer.