For the basics, the higher the sheen of the paint finish, the higher the shine and ability to reflect light. Flat and matte paints offer no light reflectivity, while semi-gloss and high-gloss paints reflect light, giving them a slight shine.
Flat, eggshell and satin paint are best for interior walls, whereas semi-gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork. An eggshell finish has a subtler shine to it, so it's a great choice if you're not ready for satin.
A gloss finish, as it dries, leaves a surface that is smooth within a small fraction of a wavelength of light. Paints with glossier finishes, like satin paint, have higher levels of resin and lower levels of pigmentation. High resin quantities allow the paint to flow more smoothly and evenly than low resin paints.
One of the easiest ways to create a glossy effect is to use a clear coat of lacquer or varnish over the top of your flat paint. This will give your walls a slightly reflective sheen without looking too severe or unnatural. Another option is to mix a small amount of gloss paint into your existing flat paint.
Semi-gloss Finish
This paint finish is just glossy enough to make it easy to wipe clean, yet it won't look too shiny. One of the best paint brands with a wide selection of colors is Benjamin Moore.
8 Tips on How to Imitate Glass
1) Paint several transparent layers which intersect each other. Use a lot of water to create thin layers. 2) Use a lot of hues and shades of the same color. Mix colors to get new tones which have slight differences from each other.
A satin paint finish is slightly higher-gloss than eggshell while being less reflective than semi-gloss paint or high-gloss paint. A satin finish delivers higher durability than an eggshell finish.
Flat paint has no shine; high-gloss is all shine. In between are eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, each with its own practical and decorative job to do.
Satin is more durable—an advantage in high-traffic spaces.
This is why satin paint is more resistant to dents, divots, scuffs, scratches, and stains, and more durable on the whole. Eggshell paint is more likely to become damaged by these impacts and abrasions because it has fewer binders and more pigment.
Light colors have an inherent reflectivity, which is why they can make a room feel bigger. Another way to achieve this—or to boost the already enlarging effects of a light color—is to go with an eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss sheen instead of a matte. Don't pair dark colors with a light trim.
The most used sheen of interior paint
Semi-gloss and eggshell are the most popular. They are a good choice for walls, woodwork, doors, and hallways and meet in the middle with a moderate sheen that isn't too extreme.
Satin. Perhaps the best all-around player when it comes to durability. The look: Right in the middle of the sheen spectrum, a satin finish is more light-reflecting than eggshell without appearing as shiny as semigloss. The Lowdown: Hides imperfections like bumpy walls reasonably well, and it's easy to clean.
'The best way to ensure a good finish with gloss paint is to first prepare the surface well,' says Homes & Gardens Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 'Any dents in the surface should be filled and sanded, then finished with a fine sandpaper; the surface should be flat and even so that bumps and lumps don't show up.
High-gloss finishes are the shiniest and most reflective of all types of paint.
As you can see in the photo above, high-gloss paint covering a whole wall offers a simply stunning look. The sheen makes the surface appear almost liquid, creating a depth that just isn't possible any other way.
Gloss is more reflective, while satin has a more matt appearance that still has a hint of lustre. However, there are other differences to consider, including durability and the ability to hide imperfections on a surface. Both satin and gloss finishes are popular, and each is best in certain situations.
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. The more reflective the finish, the more imperfections it will show.
'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.
From the perspective of a Color Designer/Consultant, I typically specify eggshell on walls for multiple reasons that benefit the people who are dwelling in the home. Eggshell paint cleans easier, covers better, wears better, and lasts longer than flat paint.
Often confused with other finishes, the difference between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a higher gloss, while offering better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell.
It all comes down to personal choice as to which is the best option for your project. As a guide, choose eggshell if you want a low sheen with a soft-touch finish. And for something with more luster, go for satin.
The paint finish is the amount of sheen in the paint. A high-gloss finish is also known as the “glass-like sheen” because its sheen is the closest to 100% - the higher among other finishes.
Semi-gloss paint is perfect for rooms where moisture, drips, and grease stains often end up on the walls—like your kitchen or bathroom. It's durable paint and can be easily scrubbed clean of any imperfections due to its high level of sheen—which also makes it the perfect choice for kids' bedrooms and playrooms.