Choosing The Right Paint Sheen
When choosing paint for the interior of your home, color may seem to be the main choice. However, there is also another decision that is nearly as important—the sheen of the paint. Sheen indicates the amount of luster or the type of texture that the paint has. There are several choices in sheen, which can be applied to any color of paint. The following guide can help you pick the right sheen for your project.
Flat
A flat sheen is only suitable for areas that rarely if ever require cleaning or that are never exposed to soil. It doesn't reflect much light, so it works well at camouflaging minor imperfections in a wall's surface. Flat paint is most commonly used on ceilings, since these won't be touched or exposed to much dirt.
Matte
A matte paint has many of the same qualities as flat paint. It had only a minor amount of sheen, so it doesn't reflect a high amount of light. This means it is also a good choice for hiding small imperfections. It's small amount of sheen does make it slightly easier to wipe clean, as it won't absorb fingerprints or soil too easily. It can be used in areas with low traffic, such as adult bedrooms or living rooms.
Eggshell
Although sometimes mistaken for a color, eggshell is actually a sheen. This low-sheen paint reflects a bit more light than matte, but it still has a satin-like smoothness, similar to the texture and light-reflecting quality of an eggshell. It cleans up relatively easily, so it is often used in rooms with moderate traffic such as living and dining areas. It can be used throughout the home, as well, especially if there are no young children leaving behind dirty handprints on the walls.
Satin
Satin gives a sheen similar to the reflection qualities of a pearl. Although it isn't highly polished, it does reflect more light than the previous options—which can also draw attention to minor imperfections. The shinier surface also makes it easier to wipe clean, and it prevents moisture penetration, so it is a popular choice in bathrooms and kitchens. You may also want to use satin paint in children's rooms or in heavily trafficked hallways.
Glosses
When it comes to high sheen with lots of light-reflection qualities, then a gloss paint is the best choice. There are two options—semi-gloss and high gloss. Semi-gloss is most often used on trim, especially baseboards, since it is easy to clean. It may also be used in bathrooms, especially if poor ventilation causes moisture buildup. Hi-gloss is only used when you want a very shiny and light-reflective surface, as the high shine isn't usually suitable for large expanses.
For more help in choosing a sheen, talk to a commercial paint contractor at a company like Decorators Service Co., Inc.
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