Painting Tip: Sheens? What do you mean?
Here’s a very informative description of the various types of sheens available when selecting your paint. Professional painter, Perry Martin, in Orange County, California has done a fabulous job in outlining these options.
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In this volume we’re going to explore the various finishes paint comes in, where they are most commonly used and the pluses and minuses of them.
What Is Sheen?
I’m sure you’ve heard the term “sheen” before. Quite simply it refers to the shininess, or lack of, of the various paint finishes. There are five basic sheens that paint comes in, although different paint companies tend to vary these sheens somewhat. (Wish they wouldn’t do that!). They are Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss and Gloss – - or High-Gloss as it is sometimes called. There are practical reasons for the various sheens, as well as aesthetic. In recent years the aesthetic has sometimes won out over the practical, particularly when someone is going after a certain “look”. I’m not saying this is right or wrong but, as you’ll discover in this article, there are definite advantages to keeping the practical aspect in mind. Okay, let’s have a look at these finishes.
FLAT:
As its name would suggest this finish has a smooth, dull, non-shiny appearance. It’s commonly used interiorly on ceilings, bedroom and living room walls, closet interiors, entryways and hallways. On an exterior it can be used on wood and stucco and there are surface specific products that come in this finish. It’s not recommended for use on metal, however. The advantages of this finish are that it is better at hiding surface imperfections, touches up well, is non-reflective (which can be more desirable in a living room or den where you want a more relaxing, muted surface finish) and is generally easier to apply than semi-gloss and gloss finishes, which can be a little tricky. The main disadvantage is that it is not washable, which is why it’s just as well that it touches up easily.
EGGSHELL:
Eggshell is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a color when, in fact, it refers to the finish which is somewhat like an eggshell which tends to have a slight sheen to it, sometimes called a “side-sheen”, which means the sheen is more noticeable if you stand alongside a wall and look down it’s length. It gives the smooth look of a flat while providing a bit more protection and a more washable surface. It can be used pretty much anywhere you would use a flat paint.
SATIN:
This is the next step up in sheens and, while not as shiny as semi-gloss, does have a more noticeable sheen. It is scrubbable and particularly useful in children’s bedrooms, high traffic areas and can be used in kitchens and powder rooms. It’s not generally recommended for use in bathrooms but, and here is where the aesthetic clashes with the practical, some people are not big fans of the “shiny” look and are willing to sacrifice protection and longevity for the lower sheen appearance of a satin. Satin is available in exterior products, too, and can be used on stucco and wood. It’s not the most ideal product to use on metal surfaces but, provided the surface has been properly prepared and primed, it can be used.
SEMI-GLOSS:
This is the finish most companies recommend for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries or any room or area that is subject to moisture and condensation on a regular basis. It’s protective qualities are excellent and it is very scrubbable. It is also commonly used on doors, cabinets, baseboards and other interior trim. On an exterior I like to use it on fascia boards, (as they are continually exposed to the elements), exterior doors, window trim (metal or wood) etc.
GLOSS:
The shiniest of them all it is rarely used inside (it’s just so dang shiny!) but, sometimes used on front doors, exterior metal or trim, it dries the hardest of all the sheens and offers excellent protection. Nevertheless, some people like the ultra-shiny look and sometimes use it on interior doors and cabinetry. At this point it’s just a matter of personal preference.
As I mentioned earlier, the aesthetic sometimes wins out over the practical and I have, at the customer’s request (or sometimes the interior decorator’s) painted kitchens and bathrooms using a flat, because that’s the “look” they were going for. On the other side of the coin, practical over aesthetic, I have also done a whole house in semi-gloss (although I tried to talk the customer out of it) because he didn’t care how it looked, he just wanted it to be washable. In the end, achieving a balance between practical and aesthetic is probably the best – - if you can do it. The various finishes were developed for specific reasons to be the most optimum for the surface they are being applied and the rooms they are being used in.
Okay, that’s it for this week. I hope you found this information helpful and remember, when all else fails, call a Pro – - namely me! 
Perry Martin
Professional Painter – Orange County, California
Perry’s email: perry801@hotmail.com
