Semi-gloss is often most compared to a satin finish, but has much more sheen than the latter. That means light from windows and lamps will bounce off semi-gloss paint more easily than than a flatter finish, like eggshell or satin.
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.
Gloss paints are easier to clean than lower gloss paints and are typically used in kitchens, bathrooms and on doors and cabinets exposed to fingerprints and grime. Because of its high reflection, gloss paint can highlight surface imperfections. High gloss paints have the highest reflective appearance.
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.
A satin (or “eggshell”) finish is much more forgiving of holes and patches than a paint with more sheen. Low-sheen paints such as satin or flat are good on walls that have a lot of holes or holes that have been filled in.
Semi-Gloss Paint. Satin and semi-gloss paint are one step apart when it comes to sheen, with semi-gloss being slightly shinier. With semi-gloss, paint colors may appear slightly altered, depending on the lighting in a space.
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. In general, the glossier the paint, the more durable it is, although some paints are designed specifically to be very durable, regardless of sheen.
Best paint finish for trim and baseboards is gloss or semi-gloss paint sheens. All trim, woodwork, baseboards which are painted, needs to be in gloss, or semi-gloss paint finish, and not satin. Semi-gloss offers more scrubbing, wiping, and deep cleanings than satin paint finishes.
Semi-gloss finish: This is the best finish for your trims such as baseboards, mouldings and even cabinets and doors.
Semigloss is the best paint finish for interior doors and trim. The reason being, semi-gloss can take up quite an abuse and stand up to nicks and scrapes better than any other sheen, flat or eggshell finish.
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.
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.
Semi-gloss finish is more durable and easier to clean. The higher the gloss, the easier the cleanup of unwanted messes like fingerprints and smudges. Therefore, semi-gloss finish is actually better to use on trims that get a lot of use and therefore require frequent wipe-downs – for e.g. window trims.
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.
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.
Satin Finish
This finish is ideal for adding a dose of drama to walls and trim, and is a good choice if you're looking for an option to help mask any flaws. Consider it for living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and even kids rooms, where durability is necessary.
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.
Trim and baseboards should be painted with gloss or semi-gloss paint sheens for best results. It is important to use gloss, semi-gloss paint finish, and not satin trim, woodwork, or baseboards. Compared to satin paint finishes, semi-gloss paints are more scrubbing, wiping, and deep cleaning.
Is Semi-gloss Good For Bedroom Walls? In bedrooms, semi-gloss is the best choice. A flat ceiling, eggshell or satin walls, and semi-gloss trim and doors are typical. In a room, semi-gloss is very good for all trim and woodwork.
Painting your walls with a semi-gloss finish helps to brighten a room. Semi-gloss finishes are often applied to walls in kitchens and bathrooms, because they provide an easy-to-clean and durable surface. Painting a semi-gloss wall requires a process similar to that used with other paint finishes.
Satin is my go-to sheen for bathroom walls, interior doors, trim, baseboards, and exterior walls. Semi-gloss paint is great for frequently cleaned areas and rooms that deal with excess moisture.
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.
Paint the Trim First, Then the Ceilings and Walls
Pros usually follow a certain order when painting a room. They paint the trim first, then the ceiling, then the walls. That's because it's easier (and faster) to tape off the trim than to tape off the walls. And you certainly don't want to tape them both off!
Satin sheens help to resist dirt, stains and mildew, making them ideal for indoor and outdoor use. They are especially useful on doors and trim in frequently used rooms such as children's bedrooms and playrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and family rooms.