Semi-gloss (or semi gloss) paints do not have the high shine or luster of high-gloss finishes but are more durable than flat paints with a matte finish.
Even more reflective than satin with a smooth sheen, semi-gloss paint gives rooms a shiny, sleek appearance. Because it offers high resistance to moisture, it works well in areas with higher humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, as well as high-traffic spaces like doors and utility rooms.
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.
Semigloss paint has some sheen, but not nearly as much as gloss paint. It represents a good compromise between gloss and flat paint, which has very little sheen. Semigloss paint is easy to clean and can withstand high levels of moisture. It will show flaws in construction, but not as much as gloss paint does.
High-gloss paint has a smoother, shinier finish than semigloss paint, typically with a reflectivity of 70 percent or higher. It has almost a glass-like appearance because it's so smooth and shiny.
A semi-gloss finish will take the scrubbing necessary in the kitchen or bath and will be more impervious to moisture than satin cousin. The same will hold true for doors, window moldings and trim. For bedrooms and living spaces, however, satin finish paints are the better choice.
A semi-gloss finish on your walls can brighten up a room if you paint them. A semi-gloss finish is commonly applied to walls in kitchens and bathrooms, because it is easy to clean and durable.
Semi-gloss: Semi-gloss paint is most often used on doors, trim, and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms. It is easily cleaned and lays down a nice, subtle shine, without being too glitzy.
The most significant difference between semi-gloss and gloss paint is the sheen. Like satin vs. semi-gloss, semi-gloss and gloss paint are one step apart when it comes to luster. The gloss version is the shiniest, often dramatically so, while semi-gloss still has a shine, but it's a bit more subdued.
Now that you know the main characteristics of semi-gloss vs. satin paint, you can notice both have similarities and differences. In simple words, semi-gloss paint is more shining and light-reflective than satin, but both are great for different house parts.
Most notably, semi-gloss has more sheen than satin.
The types of finishes you'll likely find in most paint collections—ranging from most to least reflective—are glossy/high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, and flat/matte.
Can Flat Paint Cover Semi-gloss? Even though semigloss can be applied easily, painting over it with flat paint, which has no shine to it, requires a bit of preparation and elbow grease. Remove any decorations from the walls, such as pictures or mirrors. Set aside any curtain hardware or nails that have been removed.
The main difference between eggshell and semi-gloss paint is the sheen. Eggshell is nearly matte with just the slightest hint of shine. Semi-gloss reflects far more light, giving it a far more noticeable sheen.
Summarizing Semi-gloss Is Best Paint For Bedrooms
Semi-gloss is very good for bedroom trim. If you're wanting the cleanest bedroom wall paint, satin is the way to go. Stepping down a notch to eggshell on large wall surfaces, still using semi-gloss on trim, will give you more distinction than satin.
The sheen of a paint is the amount of light reflected by the surface of a paint finish. There are four basic sheens: flat, satin, semi gloss and gloss.
Semi-gloss paints have a slightly glossy appearance and are less reflective than gloss paints. They offer good stain resistance, are easy to clean, and are most often used in rooms requiring frequent scrubbing, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
In most cases, the best paint for baseboards is a water-based or Acrylic-Alkyd hybrid paint with a semi-gloss paint sheen is the best choice for painting baseboards and trim. Benjamin Moore Advanced is a popular choice; it can be purchased at one of their paint stores.
Flat, eggshell and satin paint are best for interior walls, whereas semi-gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork. Flat, Gloss or Satin Paint - How Do You Choose? An eggshell finish has a subtler shine to it, so it's a great choice if you're not ready for satin.
“Painting a front door is best done with a brush. This is because most front doors have wood and/or glass panels and a roller would not be able to paint in the panels the same way that a brush would to give full coverage.”
Semi-gloss paint is always best for trim, doors and cabinetry because it's so easy to wipe clean. You can also choose gloss paint because it's also so easy to clean, but it's significantly shinier.
Matte paint generally holds dirt and is quite difficult to clean, cleaning could also remove the finish of the paint. Therefore, when painting something like doors, because they do get rather dirty and are used a lot, as well as needing to be cleaned often, semi-gloss or gloss paint will work better.
Best Paint For Bedroom
Bedrooms are low-impact areas and can use any paint you wish. Since these tend to be very forgiving spaces in terms of impact, you can use flat or matte paint, if you wish. Still, most homeowners go for satin or eggshell sheen latex paints in living rooms and bedrooms.
Emulsion paint
Emulsion paints are water-based, making them almost odour-less and the most preferred choice for interior wall paint colours. The paint is quick drying and has a very low level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
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. High gloss is a good choice for area that sticky fingers touch -- cabinets, trim, and doors. High-gloss, however, is too much shine for interior walls.
Satin is more durable and shinier than eggshell and is ideal for a bathroom. It's also easy to clean. Use it for the walls, ceiling, and even the trim, because many satin finishes are tougher than they once were. Semi-gloss is even tougher and a cinch to clean.