Satin finishes have a beautiful luster that is often described as appearing velvety. Satin is slightly less lustrous than semi-gloss, and can appear to be both flat and glossy, depending on the lighting in the room. Satin has a slightly higher sheen than eggshell, meaning that it is more reflective and more durable.
Satin Paint Characteristics (Eggshell Look)
Satin paints will add a very subtle shine to your walls. So, you will end up with a delicate, smooth, and soft wall surface if you choose them. When it comes to aesthetics, the satin paint finishes leave a more dull shine, which is perfect for hiding marks and surface flaws.
A satin finish accomplishes the same goal as matte laminate. The key difference is that satin is the term used for UV varnishes, whereas matte is used in describing laminates. While glossy surfaces shine for consumers, matte and satin finishes attract attention for different reasons.
Gloss has a higher sheen, also sometimes called lustre, than satin which means that it has a higher reflective level, commonly twice as high as satin. While neither hides imperfections, a gloss surface reflects more light which means it will highlight flaws more than a satin finish.
Why Does My Satin Paint Look Glossy? Although satin paint should only reflect between 26-40% of light once dry, it can often have a glossy look to it when still wet, especially if it is an oil based satin paint.
Paint becomes sticky and tacky when it isn't able to dry thoroughly. Paint has trouble drying when the air is overly humid, or the weather is extremely hot or cold. Also, paint can have trouble drying if applied in thick coats.
A satin finish can withstand scrubbing; but the problem comes with touch-ups, since slight differences in sheen will stand out.
A satin finish will leave you with a medium gloss, that doesn't shine as much as gloss paint as it's less reflective. It can be great for hiding imperfections because of the finish, whereas the gloss can highlight imperfections.
Satin paint has some sheen to it, and is an excellent choice for hardworking rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms. It stands up exceptionally well to scrubbing and regular cleaning.
Eggshell has a lower duller sheen than satin and is close to a matt or flat finish that you find in a lot of emulsions. It is reminiscent of the shell of an egg — hence its name. Satin has a glossier finish than eggshell and reflects more light, so is more likely to show up any imperfections.
If you are working with a new wall, professionally finished with a perfectly smooth surface, satin paint is a great option. However, if there are any imperfections in the surface, such as bumps, cracks, or holes that have been filled but still are visible, flat paint is a better choice.
Most notably, semi-gloss has more sheen than satin.
Semi-gloss is slightly higher on the scale than satin and, thus, promises a little more reflectivity.
Paints with glossier finishes, like satin or semi-gloss, are produced using higher levels of resin and lower levels of pigmentation. Paints with a matte or flat finish contain higher levels of pigmentation and lower amounts of resin, making them less shiny.
The main difference between satin and gloss polyurethane is the shine. Gloss polyurethane creates a high-luster finish, reflecting a substantial amount of light. Satin has a subdued sheen, reflecting less light overall. Both options are highly durable, so they can work well in high-traffic areas or high-touch surfaces.
Since kitchens are such a busy part of a home and often need extra cleaning, a satin or semi-gloss finish is the best options. Satin and eggshell finishes are commonly believed to be the same, but in fact, satin is a bit shinier. Satin finishes are easy to clean and good at standing up to mildew, stains and dirt.
Each features low-sheen with varying degrees of gloss. Satin has a lustrous finish, eggshell is meant to emulate the finish of an eggshell, while low sheen is the least reflective of the three. Low sheen and eggshell will work well in your main living areas such as bedrooms, lounge and dining rooms.
Eggshell finish
"It is the easiest paint to wipe clean and is great for all areas of the home, including bathrooms and kitchens," she says.
Satin is an oil or latex-based paint that's not as glossy as a full gloss but still has light-reflective qualities, unlike matte paint. What about semi-gloss paint? Semi-gloss is almost the same, but has more reflective qualities than satin paint, and can be slightly more durable.
High Gloss
The most durable and easiest to clean of all paint sheens, high-gloss paint is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. Think appliance-paint tough.
Flat paint costs significantly less than eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss.
When it comes to painting your skirting boards (and architraves for that matter), we'd recommend opting for a satin finish as you get the best of gloss and eggshell.
Durability: Semi-gloss paint is more durable than satin paint. However, if dings, dents, or blemishes appear, they will be more noticeable with a glossy finish. Both options will be easy to clean, although semi-gloss paint will hold up better against moisture and protect the surface beneath it against water damage.
The best way to avoid having brush marks in your satin paint is to use a paint roller instead of a brush. Not only does it remove the risk of brush marks but it makes it much easier to apply your saint paint while also ensuring you get an even coat on the painted surface too.
You can paint over satin paint without priming or sanding as long as the satin paint is clean and you apply a sealant. If you want to apply regular water-based or oil-based paint over satin paint, sanding and in some cases, priming is not optional.
Run your fingers over the wall. If the paint feels smooth and slightly slippery under your fingers, it is most likely satin. If the paint feels slightly rough—like a real eggshell—it is most likely eggshell. Dab a small amount of satin paint of the same color in an inconspicuous corner of the wall.