High-gloss is the most durable paint sheen. It forms a hard, enamel-like shell that resists stains, scratches, and moisture better than any other finish.
Offering a mirror-like finish, high gloss sits on top of the sheen chart. This finish, offered in some paints such as Advance® High Gloss (N794), is extremely durable and offers elegant shine. It is easy to clean, stain-resistant and will add a stunning look to doors, trim, and even a high-traffic kitchen.
Paint Sheen Comparison Quick Guide
Durability: Semi gloss is generally the more durable finish, designed to withstand high traffic walls and frequent scrubbing. Eggshell paint, while less durable, offers enough resilience for low traffic areas. Light Reflection: Semi gloss paint makes spaces look brighter by reflecting more light.
Pure Acrylic Paints: Pure acrylic paints, in general, offer higher durability. However, it's important to note that not all acrylic resins are created equal. Some variations, like styrene acrylics and elastomeric acrylics, offer superior durability in specific contexts.
High-quality 100% acrylic latex paints, renowned for their fade-resistant properties, stand out as the best option for enduring vibrancy and protection against the elements.
Key Points
The Downsides of Using Semi Gloss Everywhere
Higher sheen means more reflection, and more reflection means more imperfections show. Semi gloss finish will reveal dents, uneven caulk, wood grain, and previous repairs. Older trim often has more imperfections than homeowners realize until a shiny paint finish is applied.
When Would you Not Use Eggshell Paint? It would help if you did not use this finish in high-traffic areas or on constantly touched objects—for example, kitchen cabinets and bathrooms. Instead, you would use a gloss because it's washable and withstands moisture better.
Flat and matte finishes looked great but couldn't handle a wet rag without burnishing — that frustrating shiny spot that appears when you try to scrub a scuff off a flat-painted wall. So painters and paint stores pushed homeowners toward eggshell or satin on walls.
What's the hardest color to paint over? Red, black, and dark greens and blues are all hard colors to paint over. These hues consistently present the most significant hurdles for painters seeking a flawless, opaque finish.
Durability - Satin paint is more durable than matt or flat finishes due to the higher percentage of resin creating an extra layer of protection.
What Paint Finish Should I Use for Every Room?
Eggshell paint offers a moderate luster velvety finish that effectively hides imperfections, making it ideal for low-traffic areas like living rooms and bedrooms. Satin paint has a higher gloss and is more durable, making it suitable for high-traffic areas and moisture-prone spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Many paints and primers are available for professional painters to use when painting kitchen cabinets. Some products professional painters use include Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start® High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer and Advance® Interior Paint.
Flat paint will always be better for builders and painters. It costs less, downplays flaws in drywall, and can be touched up easily without showing roller marks. In new builds, it is almost always used by builders and painters.
Eggshell paint is slightly more reflective than matte paint, with a texture similar to an actual eggshell once dried. Eggshell sheen can potentially give a room a greater visual depth than the flatter matte finish. Matte sheens do not reflect light as much as an eggshell or even glossier finish.
Eggshell paint is known for its smooth, velvety finish that provides a soft, elegant look to your walls. It's also highly durable, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms. One of the benefits of eggshell paint is that it is highly resistant to stains and dirt, which makes it easy to clean.
What Are the Different Paint Sheen Types?
Eggshell Enamel has a soft, velvety appearance and is a good choice for moderate traffic areas such as living rooms. Satin Enamel has a soft pearl-like appearance, and is a great choice for painting moderate to high traffic areas or areas that have some exposure to moisture, such as kitchens or baths.
High Gloss
The most durable and easy 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 areas that sticky fingers touch — cabinets, trim, and doors.
Satin is subtle, versatile, and better at hiding flaws. Semi-gloss is tougher, shinier, and better suited for cleaning and moisture-prone areas.
Most choose a lower gloss for walls (matte, eggshells, satins and semi-gloss in some cases), flats for ceilings and higher glosses (semi-gloss, gloss, and high-gloss) for trim and doors.
Most paint jobs require at least two coats unless it's the exact same color. Scuff and/or prime semi before coating with flat. You'll still need 2 coats regardless if you want it to look right.