Semi-gloss paint has a sheen that reflects a high amount of light. It is shinier than eggshell, satin, and pearl, yet flatter than high gloss. Semi-gloss is rarely used on walls.
Semi-gloss paint is a bit more expensive, but it lasts longer before needing a refresh. Semi-gloss paint is more popular on trim and cabinets, while satin is a better option for larger surfaces, like entire walls. Satin paint is a little easier to apply, as there's less of a risk of imperfections showing.
Satin can be used for trim paint, but semi-gloss is generally preferred. Here are some considerations: Durability: Semi-gloss finishes are more durable and easier to clean than satin, making them better suited for high-traffic areas and surfaces that may get dirty.
Despite its many benefits, one downside is that its glossiness can highlight wall imperfections such as cracks and poorly patched areas. Therefore, it's important to prepare your walls adequately before applying satin paint color to achieve a smooth, professional finish.
A satin finish is a medium gloss sheen that's shinier than matte but not as shiny as semi-gloss paint. Likewise, satin offers slightly more luster or light reflectiveness than eggshell finishes. Concurrently, satin works perfectly on smooth walls in higher-traffic areas like hallways, family rooms, and kids' rooms.
A satin or semi-gloss sheen is ideal, as it can withstand moisture. Imperfections: If you're looking to cover or hide imperfections, flat or eggshell finishes are best. Durability: Areas with high traffic or exposure to moisture require more durable finishes, such as semi-gloss or satin.
A satin weave is a type of fabric weave that produces a characteristically glossy, smooth or lustrous material, typically with a glossy top surface and a dull back; it is not durable, as it tends to snag.
For low-traffic areas like bedrooms, go for flat or eggshell finishes. They're elegant and don't shine too much. But if you're tackling high-traffic spots like hallways or kitchens, satin or semi-gloss finishes are the way to go. They're durable and easy to clean, perfect for those inevitable messes.
Be aware, semi-gloss paints also have their disadvantages. With less sheen, semi-gloss paints are often more difficult to clean than their glossy counterparts and may be more prone to stains, as well as being less reflective.
Interior house paints are either latex- or oil/alkyd-based. Today, most oil-based paints are made with synthetic resins (alkyds), which makes them the best type of paint for interior walls when compared to paints based comprised on natural oils.
Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.
Experts recommend choosing either satin or semi-gloss finish for your bathroom interior because of their durability and wash-ability. However, take note that satin looks best in bathrooms with low moisture and humidity while semi-gloss works well for spaces with high humidity and moisture.
The best paint finish for trim
Semi-gloss is a great choice for these areas. A semi-gloss paint finish will read "shinier" than an eggshell. The shinier finish gives it more durability - making it even easier to clean with a harder dried film that is tougher and can take more wear and tear, but there's a downside.
Another reason why consumers and designers often favor using Eggshell or Satin paint is that they've had a bad experience with the “chalky” look that low-quality flat paints have after a few years.
Using Flat Finish Paint:
You can also apply flat paint finish on the wall as they can reduce the amount of light reflected off the wall. This also reduces the visibility of dents and dings and other drywall imperfections. Flat finishes also look bolder and classier than other glossier paints.
The Perfect Middle Ground: Semi-Gloss/Satin Finish
A semi-gloss or satin finish provides a gentle shine that adds a modern touch without being overly reflective. This balanced sheen enhances the appearance of your doors, making them look polished and refined without the glare associated with high-gloss finishes.
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.
Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
Satin Paint: When To Go with It
Satin paint also does a good job of moisture resistance which makes it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. And, it offers a moderate time window for drying and curing, which makes it a great option if you're on a tight timeline but don't want to use flat paint, which cures even faster.
Poor quality of some trades, like drywall contractors, or framers, can make imperfections pop out if there is a sheen in the paint. Using flat paint keeps imperfections from being so noticeable.
The best sheen for bedrooms is a paint sheen with a low to medium gloss level. We recommend using a flat or matte paint finish for a bedroom wall, as it will not reflect as much light, creating a calming, relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom.
Best for: Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Satin, which is a little more hard-wearing than eggshell, works well in those rooms and also in kitchens, dining areas, children's bedrooms, and bathrooms. Many satin finishes are tough enough to use on trim as well.
Silk satin is naturally smooth and lustrous, which gives it's signature soft and luxurious feel. The fabric create a smooth and shiny surface that is comfortable against the skin. The softness of silk satin makes it ideal for clothing items that come in direct contact with the skin.
That reflective surface on a shiny wood floor is especially prone to everyday wear and tear. Scratches and scuff marks are more visible here than they are on a floor with a matte or natural finish. And this wear and tear will be more pronounced in high traffic areas like the kitchen, or in homes with pets or children.
Semi-gloss paints have a slightly glossy appearance and are less reflective than gloss paints.