Choosing your Paint: Sheen/Finish

So… paint sheen… is it really important? Yes, actually it’s very important. There are a number of important visual and functional ramifications to picking the wrong sheen. The wrong paint finish can throw-off the effect of an entire room.

	Pro’s	Con’s
High-Sheen/ Glossy	- Glossy sheen formulas are easier to keep clean. Glossy sheens produce the toughest, most stain-resistant and smooth finishes. - To achieve a 3-D feel, consider using gloss paint on the trim in a room that has otherwise been painted with a low-lustre or flat paint. Also consider using gloss finishes to help architectural features pop – such as entry doors or trim around ornate glass work. - Brighten naturally dark rooms by reflecting light and magnifying.	- Glossy sheens add vibrancy and bounce more light. This can add a spasmodic and blinding effect. It creates excessive glare. - Spaces with glossier paint finishes, depending on the color, are harder to relax in.
Semi-Gloss, Low-lustre/ Satin, or Eggshell.	- All of these finishes have a sheen that is between Glossy and Matte paints and are listed in order from glossiest to dullest. - These finishes present warmer than and provide a greater appearance of depth than flat paints. - More resistant to stains than flat paint. - Like High-gloss paint they reflect more light and brighten a darker space.	- Don’t have as much of a dramatic effect as either High-Gloss or Matte finishes. - Semi-gloss can have the same effects of Glossy paint in the wrong lighting,
Flat/Matte	- Can create beautiful effects! - Can conceal surface blemishes better than paint with more reflective properties. Smooths out walls that are dented or rough. - Great for downplaying and receding surfaces, such as ceilings or other surfaces you want to downplay.	Conversely, high paint-pigment levels, along with coarse pigment granules, create duller, rougher and less resilient finishes. Unfortunately, stains are often difficult to remove from flat finishes. Unlike paints with higher sheen, a non-reflective, flat paint finish has a porous texture, which can trap dirt and result in burnishing when scrubbed or rubbed

Delana Cotton servers the northeast Atlanta region that includes Dacula, Winder, Lawrenceville, Buford, Snellville, Conyers and surrounding areas. Delana treats every transaction as if she were you, the buyer or seller. If you have a real estate transaction on the horizon, meet Delana for a no pressure chat over coffee.