Kitchen walls and especially kitchen cabinets require a paint finish that's tough, easy to wipe down, and attractive. Satin and eggshell paint finishes work well for kitchen walls, while semi-gloss proves best for kitchen cabinets.
If you're looking for a finish that will shine and reflect light once it hits it, opt for a semi-gloss finish. As the most popular sheen, semi-gloss provides your kitchen cabinets with a nice shine that is not overbearing.
Each of these has its advantages and benefits. The two most common types of paint sheen are semi-gloss and satin. A standard scheme uses satin paint for the cabinets and matte for the walls. All of the products we use at The Picky Painters in Cleveland, OH, are incredibly durable and washable.
Satin is more forgiving of pre-existing imperfections than semi-gloss. If you've got dings and dents in your walls, your cabinets, or your soon-to-be-painted dresser, the reflective nature of semi-gloss will only draw more attention to every flaw.
Semigloss: Provides a sleek, radiant sheen that's great for cabinets and trim, high-traffic areas and high-moisture areas like bathrooms or crown molding/trim.
SEMI-GLOSS
Glossy and sleek, this sheen shines, but does not compete, allowing other colors near it to have their moment. Ideal for: Cabinets.
Kitchen walls and especially kitchen cabinets require a paint finish that's tough, easy to wipe down, and attractive. Satin and eggshell paint finishes work well for kitchen walls, while semi-gloss proves best for kitchen cabinets.
'Semi-gloss has a higher sheen level than satin,' confirms Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore, 'meaning that it is more reflective. The extra levels of luminosity make it perfectly suited to highlight the architectural details.
Satin paint is less shiny than semi-gloss paint since it has a lower gloss percentage. Satin paint only has a 30 percent gloss paint formula. Due to the mentioned percentage of gloss in both types of paints, the semi-gloss paint will reflect more than 50% of the light, while the satin will reflect between 30% and 40%.
Pros: A satin finish reflects more light than matte and stands up well to washing. Use in high-traffic areas such as bathrooms, the kitchen and a kid's room as well as on trim and molding throughout the house. Cons: This finish does not hide imperfections in surface or application; any touch-ups will stand out.
Semi-gloss or satin: Semi-gloss is the best finish for painting kitchen cabinets. Because it has some sheen, semi-gloss paint will help reflect light and be more durable in the long run, which is essential in a kitchen environment.
When applied to kitchen custom cabinets, it will result in a soft, silky, and a little glowy appearance. A satin finish can work well in any kitchen since it resists stains, and dirt. In addition, it can be washed without risk of damage. Avoid scrubbing satin finishes as doing so can eliminate some of the sheen.
Tip: Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel, Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin Sheen is among the best paint for kitchen cabinet top coats because it has excellent flow and leveling characteristics, which means a smooth and durable finish on cabinets, doors and trim.
Paint is the most popular finish for kitchen cabinets because it's easy to clean and maintain. It also has a wide variety of colors to choose from, so you can easily find a shade that matches your décor.
CONVERSION VARNISH vs LACQUER
For the best custom cabinet finish, our choice is Conversion Varnish (CV) over Lacquer, and here's why… The CV topcoat is extremely durable and easy to clean. It is resistant to heat, water, wear, solvents, acids, and alkalis.
The larger the space, the more likely it is that a glossy finish will help reflect light and provide an overall brighter feel to the room. On the other hand, if your kitchen is on the smaller side, then matte paint can be a great choice to add some texture and depth to your cabinets.
Semi-gloss paint is paint with a sheen that reflects an above-average amount of light. It is shinier than satin, pearl, and eggshell, yet flatter than high gloss. Unlike satin, semi-gloss is rarely ever used on walls.
Satin. Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss than eggshell. It is most often used for windows, doors, trim, or ceilings, but it can also be used as wall paint. This is particularly suitable for kids' rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas that get a lot of traffic.
The general rule of thumb is the more matte the finish, the harder it is to clean. If a finish is glossy, it tends to be more "scrubbable." 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.
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.
Cleaning grease, grime, and various stains will be a piece of cake with a semi-gloss finish. Compared to satin, semi-gloss paint will last longer, and because it has more sheen, it might change how the color looks on the wall; it can be either lighter or darker depending on the shade.
Fingerprints and grime are to be expected on interior doors in high-traffic areas. So pick paint with a gloss or semi-gloss finish, rather than flat or eggshell, for a surface that's much easier to wipe clean. A glossier paint also makes doors and trim stand out beautifully against the flatter wall surface.
Chalk paints have become an increasingly popular choice for kitchen and bathroom cabinets thanks to their superior coverage, low VOCs, and durability. Many people view chalk paint as one of the best paints for cabinets, as it requires little to no prep work before you can get started.
Conclusion. In conclusion, the decision between lighter and darker kitchen cabinets and walls depends on various factors. Lighter cabinets can make a small kitchen appear larger and more spacious while darker cabinets can add warmth and depth to a kitchen.
Just like any other area of your bathroom, your cabinet is prone to moisture and fungal build-up. Hence, to protect them from staining and further extend their lifespan, a semi-gloss or satin paint finish is recommended. Not only are they highly resistant to dirt, but they are also easier to clean.