Choosing the Best Sheen by Room

Choosing paint colors for the interior rooms of your home can be an arduous process, one that involves taking into consideration the furniture, architectural details, flooring, lighting and, of course, the mood of the room. But once you have finally selected the color you love, there is one more decision regarding paint: the level of sheen you want to use.

Each paint sheen has its own characteristics and practical applications. Some sheens are highly durable and easy to clean, while others are great at full coverage and hiding imperfections. Some absorb light in the room, while others tend to reflect it. Accordingly, different types of sheens can be ideal for different areas of your home. The higher the sheen, the higher the shine, and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be. With these things in mind, which sheens are best for which room? Let’s take a closer look:

• High Gloss or Semi-Gloss – These two sheens are the most durable and reflect light the most. High gloss and semi-gloss are great for rooms where there will be high traffic and sticky/dirty fingers such as: children’s playrooms, kitchens, mud rooms, and younger children’s bedrooms.
• Satin – This sheen has a velvety luster that looks soft to the touch. While this sheen is fairly easy to clean, it does show imperfections in the walls, so be sure that cracks, bumps, or holes are properly filled and sanded. A great application site would be in areas such as: family rooms, dens, and older children’s bedrooms.
• Eggshell – Named because of its eggshell luster, this sheen covers imperfections well, but is a little less durable or tougher to clean without wiping off the actual paint. This sheen would be great to use in dining rooms or low traffic areas.
• Flat or Matte – This sheen soaks up the light rather than reflect it so if your walls have imperfections this would be the paint to use. The best places to use this sheen are in an adult bedroom or an area that sees little traffic. Some homeowners choose to use this as their ceiling paint as well.

Do you have questions about the durability and light absorption of the paint for the room(s) you have chosen? Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.

Categorised in: Interior painting, Jerry Enos