When you decide to paint your home, often the first thing that comes to your mind is, “what color should I use?”, But the less commonly asked question is “what paint sheen should I use?”. In this article, we will break down what sheen is, the pros and cons of each type, and how to find the paint sheen that’s right for you.

What is a paint sheen?

Sheen simply means how much light the paint reflects.

This can range from no reflection (low-sheen) to an almost mirror-like reflection (high-sheen).

High-sheen or glossy surfaces are typically easier to clean. Common in bathrooms and high-traffic areas. If you intend to hide or downplay imperfections in a space, you should avoid high-sheen paint. To make architectural features pop like entryways, consider using a high-sheen.

Low-sheen paints are best for concealing imperfections and are best in lower-traffic areas. Lower sheen paints tend to show more true color and are better at reflecting light.

Let’s take a look now at the various paint sheens.

Pros: Flat finishes have the lowest sheen. They are an excellent choice for low-traffic areas like closets, dining rooms, and ceilings. Flat paints are perfect for ceilings because they avoid light glare and allow you to see the true color. If you’ve ever turned the lights on in a room and gotten a bright glare, you’ll notice that you’re unable to see the true color of the wall. The anti-glare properties of flat paint allow you always to see the wall’s true color.

Another great benefit of flat paint that it hides imperfections like bumps or small cracks in the walls. It also goes on smoother over rough surfaces which makes it an excellent option for older walls, textured walls, or walls with a lot of drywall issues.

Cons: It is harder to clean and is not recommended for high-traffic areas like the kitchen, bathroom, or hallways. This is because flat paint has a porous texture, which can trap dirt and lead to burnishing when scrubbed or rubbed off. Flat colors don’t touch up quickly and can show skin oils if touched. If you have small children, flat paint might not be the best choice for you.

The one exception to this is Sherwin-Williams Duration (which is available in all sheens) and is specially formulated with patented cross-linking technology that forms a smooth and continuous paint film. This technology not only locks in the colorants, but also provides superior resistance to staining, burnishing, and water-streaking. If you desire flat paint and are afraid of any of the above cons, Duration may be a good choice for you.

A word of caution – different paint brands have different definitions of flat paint. A company may call its paint flat when in reality it is actually a matte paint. It may still look flat, but has a slight sheen to it.

Pros: Eggshell is the most common paint sheen for interior walls. It has a little more sheen than flat paint which means it reflects just a low amount of light. It has a slight gloss of about 10-25%. Eggshell makes a great choice for hallways, living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. It has a smoother finish than flat paint and can hide some imperfections. If you want to add just a hint of sheen in your room, eggshell is the perfect option.

Cons: Eggshell has medium durability and can handle mild stains and moisture. It is not recommended to use eggshell in areas like a kitchen or bathroom or areas with heavy traffic. It is washable but not as washable as some of the paints we’ll talk about below.

A word of caution: Eggshell sheens will vary between manufacturers. One company may have an eggshell paint with as much sheen as a satin finish of another company – so always view samples before making your final decision.

Pros: One of the most popular sheens for modern design, satin has slightly more pop than an eggshell. It has a richer appearance than eggshell and just like the flat and eggshell sheens, satin is great on wall surfaces where you want to hide imperfections. Satin has about a 25-35% gloss when compared to eggshell and flat paint. This is a very washable paint and is perfect for areas with moisture and dirt like kitchens and bathrooms. It is also a great choice for kids rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas. Satin doesn’t show skin oils and offers less light-glare than your semi-gloss or gloss sheens.

Cons: While satin is a highly durable and popular paint choice, you must consider the surface you are painting on. If the surface has imperfections, satin paint will tend to highlight those imperfections. Additionally, if you are not careful in your application, inconsistencies can be evident. This makes touch-ups difficult.

A Word of Caution: Just like with the sheens mentioned above, what companies define as satin can vary. Some satins may have an almost semi-gloss finish while some may be closer to an eggshell. Always view the samples before deciding.

Notice the light reflection off the wall – semi-gloss can be very reflective in rooms with lots of light.

Pros: With a very shiny and smooth finish, semi-gloss is a step up from satin and has anywhere from 35-70% gloss. This is because it reflects a lot of light and will show imperfections. As you go up in sheens, more acrylic is added to the paint, which means increased durability but also increased light glare. Semi-gloss is a great choice for extremely high-traffic areas of the home and a good option for trim areas, furniture, and door areas where you want more attention. It also makes a good option for bathrooms with poor ventilation because it is highly water resistant and can be cleaned easily.

A common design trend for years has been eggshell on the walls and semi-gloss on the trim work. This creates a contrast between the two areas.

Cons: If you do not have good wall-surfaces that are level and smooth, I would avoid semi-gloss. Many painters will try to avoid semi-gloss due to the amount of light glare. If you have a room with high moisture, satin sheens can still suffice as paint technology has gotten more moisture-resistant. Be sure to talk with your painter or paint rep to get the best advice for your situation.

TruLine Painting is a full-service and one-stop shop San Diego painting contractor focused on delivering a 5-star experience to every customer. In addition to providing San Diego with award-winning residential interior painting & residential exterior painting services, we also provide commercial painting, stucco repair, carpentry, cabinet staining & finishing, power washing, window cleaning, and much more. This ensures we are the only painting contractor that you will ever need to hire.  We believe the proof is in the painting and that’s why we invite you to look at our gallery of past projects and dozens of five-star star reviews from satisfied customers.