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When to use high gloss paint


Paint Sheen Chart & Gloss Paint Guide

Paint Sheen Chart & Gloss Paint Guide | Dunn-Edwards Paints

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Selecting the right gloss for your paint project can be challenging. Below explains the practical and aesthetic considerations for choosing gloss that will help you make the right choices.

UNDERSTANDING GLOSS

Gloss is about shine. It describes how much light is reflected from the surface of the paint. If a painted surface is very smooth and glass-like, the reflection is perceived to be “shiny” or “glossy.” Conversely, a flat or low sheen paint has a rough surface profile after it dries. Light that hits such a surface is reflected and scattered in many different directions so it appears “flat” to the eye.

WHY GLOSS IS IMPORTANT

The gloss level of paint can have a significant impact on both appearance and serviceability. Increasing gloss improves the durability of paints – including scrub-, stain- and moisture-resistance. However, higher gloss levels tend to highlight defects and imperfections on a surface.

Gloss level also affects color perception. The same color with a different gloss will appear as a different color. The color in a higher gloss paint will appear brighter and richer than the same color in a lower gloss paint.

LOW SHEEN PAINT VS HIGH GLOSS WHICH IS BETTER?

It’s not a question of which type of glossy, flat or low sheen paint is better, but which is suited for the correct job. Below, we take a look at a paint sheen chart and a definition for several types of paint such as flat, velvet, eggshell, low sheen, semi-gloss, gloss and high gloss and which uses they’re best suited for in the home, workplace and outdoors.

WHAT TYPE OF PAINT GLOSS IS BEST

Flat

Flat paints have the least amount of gloss so they help conceal surface imperfections better than other finishes and are ideal for walls that are rough or dented. They also touch-up better, which makes a flat paint an ideal choice for family rooms, living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Flat paints are also a good choice for ceilings because of their low reflectivity. Stains can be difficult to remove from flat finishes, so it’s best to use flat paints in areas that do not experience a lot of traffic.

Velvet

Velvet paints resemble flat paints when viewed head on, but show a slight gloss when viewed at an angle. This slightly higher gloss provides for a more washable or scrubbable surface. These paints are ideal for areas with high traffic, such as hallways and kid’s rooms.

Eggshell

Eggshell paints are one step glossier than velvet paints. They convey a greater warmth and depth to surfaces than flat paints. Eggshell also tends to resist stains better than flat or velvet paint, although not as well as semi-gloss and high gloss paints. Like velvet paints, these paints are ideal for areas with traffic, such as dining rooms or a kid’s room.

Low Sheen

Low sheen paints are similar to eggshell paints, but have a slightly higher gloss. They are a good choice for areas where some gloss is desired, but good cleaning properties are also necessary, such as, kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. Their slightly glossy appearance, however, tends to highlight surface imperfections more than flat paints.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paints have a slightly glossy appearance and are less reflective than gloss paints. They offer good stain resistance, are easy to clean, and are most often used in rooms requiring frequent scrubbing, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Semi-gloss is also a good alternative to gloss paints for use on windows, trim, cabinets and doors.

Gloss

Gloss paints have a highly reflective appearance imparting a slick, contemporary look. They are tough, durable and stain-resistant. 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

High gloss paints have the highest reflective appearance. They are the toughest, most durable and most stain resistant of all finishes. High gloss paints are the easiest to clean and are typically used on doors and cabinets exposed to dirt and oil and can also be used for trim and some woodwork. High gloss paint can emphasize surface imperfections.

INTERIOR GLOSS RECOMMENDATIONS

Flat Velvet Eggshell Low Sheen Semi Gloss Gloss High Gloss
WALLS - RESIDENTIAL
Family Room
Living Room
Dining Room
Bedroom
Kids’ Room
Kitchen & Bath
Hallways
Ceiling
Office
Doors & Windows
Shutters
Molding

EXTERIOR GLOSS RECOMMENDATIONS

Flat Velvet Eggshell Low Sheen Semi Gloss Gloss High Gloss
MAIN BODY
Stucco, Masonry & Brick
Wood Siding
Aluminum & Vinyl Siding
Flat Velvet Eggshell Low Sheen Semi Gloss Gloss High Gloss
ACCENT, TRIM & ACCESSORIES
Doors & Windows
Soffit, Fascia & Eaves
Wood Fences
Shutters
Garage Doors & Gutters
Metal Gates

These are commonly used gloss levels for the surfaces listed above. Gloss may be affected by texture, porosity of the surface and atmospheric conditions. Please contact a Dunn-Edwards representative or your local store for specific product recommendations.

Benefits of High Gloss Paint

Jump to:

Paint technology has come a long way in a short time. Many homeowners and residential decorators are moving towards high gloss paints in areas where they’d never before considered using them. Now, more than ever, you can appreciate the benefits of high gloss paint in many more places than your kitchen and bath. Think of painting your ceilings, or even a feature wall, in a stunning high gloss sheen with deep, light-reflecting hue. Or consider giving your doors, millwork and cabinets an outstanding high gloss look.

Current advancements in high gloss paint chemistry allow seamless application and a flawless finish. At one time, that was nearly impossible with high gloss finishes. However, meticulous preparation is still vitally important. So is using the right application tools, and that’s often best left to professional house painters.

 

High Gloss Paint Evolution

People have painted things since the dawn of humanity. Cave-dwellers used earth-based colorings to sketch animals on their walls. Ancient Egyptians were master painters, perfecting high gloss looks with paints as well as with glass and stone. Medieval Europeans formed painters’ guilds, and they restricted access to entering the painting trade unless a craftsman served a lengthy apprenticeship. That particularly mattered in applying high gloss products.

When Europeans began settling America in the 1600s, they brought painting skills and materials with them. High gloss paints weren’t a novelty by then. In fact, high gloss sheens were the most traditional paint finishes available. In historic America, many folks demanded high gloss finishes. One of the main advantages of high gloss paint was to brighten candle-lit rooms. The challenge for colonial Americans was to bring the sheen down. Early paint technologists didn’t have the ingredients or knowledge to dampen the glow and still have their paints perform properly.

Paints evolved over the past few centuries, but they still serve the same general purpose — to protect surfaces, enhance their appearance and effectively reflect light. Today, we know there isn’t a right and wrong place to use high gloss paint. But, there certainly are right and wrong ways to apply it. That’s why hiring a professional painter is often the best choice.

 

What’s in High Gloss Paint?

To appreciate the benefits and advantages of using high gloss paint, you might find it helpful to know what’s in it. Paint gloss or sheen is the measure of the finished surface’s ability to reflect or diffuse light. Gloss paints shine because their finish is mirror-like. Gloss surfaces are exceptionally smooth with few microscopic irregularities to diffuse or spread light on an angular pattern.

Flat surfaces, on the other hand, are rough and bumpy when you examine them closely. Instead of reflecting or radiating light back on a direct angle, matte surfaces break light waves into diffuse patterns. Your eye doesn’t catch the reflected rays from flat or low-sheen surfaces the way it does with high gloss paints.

Paint manufacturers offer a range of sheen options in which they measure gloss by percentages. This rating system has been around a long time, and it’s well-described in a 1930s publication by the Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards. They describe “gloss” as the surface light reflecting properties and “glossiness” as the appearance resulting from the surface’s power to reflect light. In percentages, here’s how the general sheen categories rate:

In chemical terms, high gloss paints have a much higher proportion of resins than pigments. High resin quantities allow paint to flow more smoothly and evenly than low resin paints. This proportion keeps the paint’s pigment particles low and embedded within the resin coating, resulting in a highly-reflective gloss surface that reflects light and gives the painted surface a strong glossiness.

While we’re on the subject of paint chemistry, let’s take a quick refresher on what goes into a can of paint. Not all paint mixtures are created evenly. That’s especially true when you range from the flat end of the scale to the high gloss side. Here are the four components you’ll find in every paint mix:

Solvents: This is the liquid base you’ll find the other ingredients suspended in. Today’s paints have two solvent types. One is oil or what’s now called alkyds. The other is water. At one time, oil-based paints were the only way to get high gloss reflection. That’s no longer the case, as water-based paints now give excellent high gloss returns.

Pigments: Paint mixtures get their color from pigments. Pigments range from white which is the absence of color to black which is the presence of all colors. Pigments follow a gray scale from light to dark. They also range in granule size which affects their ability to lay low in resins and give that smooth, high gloss sheen.

Resins: Resins bind pigments together within solvents. Paint manufacturers use a wide variety of resin products, and this depends on how they want the finished paint product to stand up. Generally, stronger resins provide a tougher surface. They also contribute the final gloss condition on the finished surface.

Additives: This is where paint chemistry gets complicated. While you only have two options for solvents and a predictable variety in pigment colors, there are all sorts of additives you can put in paint. Some additives add to durability. Some affect drying time, temperature tolerance and moisture resistance. Other additives contribute to how shiny or dull a finished surface becomes.

 

 

Types of High Gloss Paints

Not every high gloss surface is actually paint. If you look at a gleaming baby grand piano, for instance, that’s not paint you’re seeing — it’s lacquer. That’s a different chemical and application process than paint. There was a time when lacquer finishes were popular in homes, but that was before paint technology could match the durability and light reflectiveness of lacquers.

The problem with lacquer finishes is applying them. Your sub-surface must be flawlessly smooth and free of any dust, grit or imperfection. Otherwise, impurities will show through, and the final product will be blemished. Lacquer finishes are usually sprayed on which requires extensive prep time. There is also an overpowering smell with lacquer products.

If you’re looking for a modern high gloss finish, the only practical way to go is with a quality paint. Of course, getting the perfect sheen with paint requires the proper preparation and application as well. Paint technology has made it easier for DIY-ers to achieve a smooth, shiny finish, but only a professional knows all the little things necessary to create a truly flawless surface.

Let’s look closer at the two paint bases:

Water-based paint:You’ll often hear water-based paints called latex. That’s usually wrong because latex is a rubber product and it’s rarely used as a paint additive these days. When latex additives were popular, latex reacted badly with most oil-based solvents. It cooperated well with water, though, and that’s where the term latex paint came from. Nowadays, water-borne solvents are highly sophisticated and can create high gloss sheens.

Oil-based paint: Again, we have conflicting terms. Originally, most paints were oil-based with either a petroleum or vegetable solvent. Linseed oil was exceptionally popular as it took pigments, resins and additives well and flowed to an even surface. Linseed oil, like petroleum oil bases, dried hard and shiny. However, oil-based paints had a long curing time and were difficult to apply in low temperatures. Synthetic oils called alkyds slowly replaced true oils. Now, you’ll usually find alkyds behind a paint labeled oil-based.

Here at Shoreline Painting we’re a Fine Paints of Europe Master Certified Painter and recommend Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant as the best quality high gloss paint on the market. It’s perfect for both interior and exterior jobs when top quality is desired.

 

Benefits and Advantages of High Gloss Paint

If you’re considering using a high gloss paint in your next project, you’re probably looking for its reflective effect rather than its performance. Appearance is definitely important, however, you should aso consider what you’re expecting your painted surface to endure. Historically, painters applied high gloss products to high traffic areas. They wanted these exposed surfaces to stand up to heavy wear and tear.

Durability is still a main factor in choosing your paint sheen. Without a doubt, high gloss and semi-gloss paints are tougher and stand up to abuse better than flat, eggshell and low-sheen surfaces. You should match your desired appearance with your expected performance. Much of your decision depends on what surface you’ll be painting. Here are typical applications where you’d benefit by using high gloss paint:

 

1. High Humidity Areas

Kitchens and bathrooms have always been prime targets for walls and trim painted in high gloss sheens. Brand-name paint producers offered specific paint blends labeled “Kitchen & Bath” which were actually generic paint blends with a high gloss shine. There were two reasons for using high gloss and semi-gloss paint in “wetrooms.” One was to seal wood and drywall to resist moisture penetration. The other was to make cleaning easier as smooth, high gloss surfaces are easier to wipe down and retain their original luster. This holds true today, but you can extend your reach of high gloss paints well beyond your bath, kitchen or laundry room.

 

2. High Traffic Areas

Entryways, halls, stairs and floors are always serious candidates for high gloss paint. That’s due to the hard shell that high gloss products exhibit when cured. Just as high gloss surfaces resist water, dirt and contaminants, these tough finishes stand up to high traffic. High gloss paints also resist bumps, nicks and scrapes from moving items like furniture and even pets. You can’t get the strength and durability of high gloss products with any other paint type.

 

3. Accent Features

If you want to attract attention, the most effective device is a coat of high gloss paint. Have you noticed how many front doors glow from reflected light? That’s not by accident or a simple protective device. Smart designers know that a front door is a statement, and nothing speaks louder than a bold coat of high gloss paint. The same goes for interior features. Balustrades, crown molding and fireplace mantles wouldn’t be the same without their characteristic, high gloss shines. You can take this effect further with high gloss finishes on accent features like ceilings, walls and cabinetry.

 

4. Bold and Drastic Colors

It’s one thing to make a decorating statement with color. It’s entirely another thing to let bold and drastic colors shout out by using a high gloss sheen. Bright, reflective surfaces have a dramatic effect, both with natural daylight and artificial illumination after dark. White is always the classic mainstay for millwork and casings. And, white hues naturally glow with high gloss finishes. But you can achieve astounding results by using deep blues, vivid greens and feisty reds in features like walls, ceilings and screened dividers. All it takes is some imagination and the courage to pull it off.

 

5. Fun and Inventive Ways

Watch any kid respond to color. You’ll notice they go for the bright, shiny stuff every time. Perhaps children know something adults have forgotten — that high gloss surfaces are fun, especially when used in inventive ways. Your kids’ rooms are the place to start, particularly with furniture. They’ll love seeing a mirror-like reflection off dressers and bunk beds. Consider a high gloss wall in the playroom. Not only does high gloss brighten the area, it also makes it far more durable against bouncing balls and falling block towers.

Probably the only thing holding you back from going wild with high gloss paint is yourself. If you’re a cautious sort with traditional tastes, try sticking with conservative, muted colors but add the drama of a glossy shine. If you’re thinking of venturing in a bolder direction, a bold color can stand out even more with a reflective sheen. No matter your style, high gloss paint is the product for you.

 

Work With a Professional House Painting Contractor

Shoreline Painting & Drywall is your go-to professional house painting contractor in Fairfield County, Conn., and Westchester County, N.Y. For 35 years, Shoreline has painted homes for thrilled clients by using the right mix of talented artisans, top tools and five-star eco-friendly products. That includes gallons upon gallons of high gloss paint.

At Shoreline Painting, we have an integrated and structured management team. We approach each project with pride and integrity. Our workmanship is first class, and we stand behind our work with a solid guarantee. Backing up our guarantee is our insurance, bonding and contractor’s license.

If you’re ready for professional interior or exterior house painting, Shoreline Painting is here for you. We serve Greenwich, Riverside, Norwalk, Stamford, New Canaan, Westport and Darien as well as New York City. Our team of over 70 highly-dedicated craftspeople is here and ready to help you paint, including taking on bold and innovative high gloss jobs.

For more information on a top quality paint job with  Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant high gloss paint call Shoreline Painting & Drywall today at 203-302-1086. You can also reach us through our online contact form.

9 Quick Tips - Read on the Manders Blog

A glossy finish adds visual interest and chic to any space. We have collected in one post useful tips on working and using glossy paint with a high degree of gloss in the interior.

1. Do not overload the interior: control the amount of shine

Glossy walls fill the interior with shimmering light. To balance the degree of gloss, you can use the texture. A wool throw on the sofa, a sisal rug on the floor, unglazed ceramic vases will make the interior harmonious and pleasing to the eye.


Design: Brian J. McCarthy

2. Make the ceiling glossy

A great solution when you need to visually elevate a low ceiling. Try painting the walls and ceiling the same light shade. Just choose a matte finish for the walls, and a glossy finish for the ceiling. Thanks to the reflective texture of the paint with a high degree of gloss, the ceiling will appear much higher than it actually is.


3. Glossy darkroom paint is a great choice

Gloss paint helps to increase the amount of natural light in the room during the day. And in the evening - create a romantic atmosphere: just forget about the ceiling light and rely on table and floor lamps.


4. Accentuate the architectural elements in the interior

Doing this with glossy paint is a smart decision. It is ideal for working on wood and metal surfaces, both indoors and outdoors. The Full Gloss finish, Farrow & Ball, comes in all 132 colors - don't be afraid to work with contrast.

5. A little drama doesn't hurt.

Dark gloss is the perfect way to create an expressive and atmospheric interior. Our advice is to look at trendy shades of blue. In a glossy finish, not a single dark shade will look gloomy: on the contrary, it will help create a sophisticated and respectable atmosphere.


6. It's time to repaint the doors

High gloss paint is highly durable and easy to clean. Therefore, decorators are so fond of using it to decorate interior and even entrance doors. The only thing to remember is that the surface must be carefully prepared according to the recommendations of the paint manufacturer.

7. Don't forget that glossy paint is a particularly durable finish

Use this property to your advantage! It is resistant to scratches and peeling, it can be safely washed and wiped, so we recommend using it in places with high exploitation: corridors, fireplace area, children's rooms. For the latter, choose Full Gloss, Farrow & Ball paint: it is environmentally friendly, has a low (read: acceptable by European standards) VOC content and practically does not smell.


8. Save money on finishing wet areas

Boldly paint a high gloss gloss paint on bathroom walls or use it to finish splashbacks in the kitchen. Paint will cost you less than ceramic tiles and will pleasantly surprise you with its performance characteristics: it is resistant to moisture, peeling and flaking.


Charlotte's Locks #286, Farrow & Ball

9. Prepare surface thoroughly

With all the advantages of glossy paint, there is also a disadvantage: it emphasizes any surface irregularities. That is why, before applying the coating, the surface must be carefully prepared: leveled, plastered and cleaned of any dirt and dust.


Design: Wendy Labrum Interior

Featured Blog Posts by Manders

– How to Improve Interiors with Paint: 6 Design Techniques
– How to Paint the Exterior of a House: Tips + Examples
– 6 Rules for Working with Color you can safely violate

9 quick tips - read on the Manders Blog

For any builder with a creative bent, glossy wall paint is the perfect finishing solution to suit any interior appearance requirement.

The fact is that gloss makes it possible to obtain a huge variety of colors, with which the interior will definitely turn out unique.

Photo gloss on all surfaces in the apartment

Make the ceiling glossy

An excellent solution when you need to visually raise a low ceiling. Try painting the walls and ceiling the same light shade. Just choose a matte finish for the walls, and a glossy finish for the ceiling. Thanks to the reflective texture of the paint with a high degree of gloss, the ceiling will appear much higher than it actually is.

All about gloss

The main and decisive factor when choosing a material for painting is color and gloss. Moreover, if the choice of color is a matter of taste and a design decision, then gloss can affect not only the appearance, but also the stability of the paintwork .

This effect is due to the fact that the composition of the paint includes resin and pigment.

Depending on one or another component, an external indicator is obtained, that is:

Important! With a high resin content, the solvent evaporates during drying, resulting in a durable and water-resistant coating. That is why the instruction for the use of such a coating involves the application in rooms with high humidity.

Bathroom wall covering option

Why choose this option

Although gloss is not very common today and matt is often preferred, there are undeniable advantages to a shiny surface:

Important! A glossy surface will instantly show all wall defects. Each bump, each depression will be perfectly visible, so the wall must be brought to perfect condition before painting.

On such a wall, any defect is instantly visible

Types of paints

It only seems at first glance that any surface is painted with the same dye, but in practice there are three types of paint:

Acrylic Color for all Repairs

Acrylic material will not fade in the sun and, like Zinga Conductive Paint, will not fade in the sun when exposed to ultraviolet rays.

What to look for when buying

Deciding on the type of finish paint, that's not all you need before buying.

There are also technical parameters that must be taken into account:

The wallpaper will look completely different after painting

What can be painted

Gloss is quite a peculiar material, and most often it can be found on the ceiling. The walls and floor can of course also be finished, but white glossy ceiling paint is unbeatable.

A ceiling with such a finish becomes “higher”, more voluminous, deeper, that is, all its physical parameters visually increase.

Perfectly white and shiny ceiling

As for hand-painting, the preparation and painting process can be roughly divided into 6 parts:

Corners can be applied with a brush and the rest with a roller

In terms of financial costs, we can say that the price of the material is quite acceptable. There are several types of containers, and the cost varies depending on the type of paint.

A little drama never hurts

Dark Gloss is the perfect way to create an expressive and atmospheric interior. Our advice is to look at trendy shades of blue. In a glossy finish, not a single dark shade will look gloomy: on the contrary, it will help create a sophisticated and respectable atmosphere.

Floor

In large rooms, use stone slabs on the floor. If they have a glossy surface, it will visually make the room larger. Since the floor will be mirrored, the lighting can be made unobtrusive and evenly distributed. In sunny weather, a lot of light will pass through the panoramic windows. To make the room look full, put a large wide sofa, a few coffee tables and armchairs.


Photo: arabic.alibaba.com

Don't forget that glossy paint is a very durable finish

Use this property to your advantage! It is resistant to scratches and peeling, it can be safely washed and wiped, so we recommend using it in places with high exploitation: corridors, fireplace area, children's rooms. For the latter, choose Full Gloss, Farrow & Ball paint: it is environmentally friendly, has a low (read: acceptable by European standards) VOC content and practically does not smell.

Fireplace

If you want to decorate the wall around the fireplace, install glossy stone slabs. They will give a calm atmosphere to the room and focus on this area. Spot lighting will add charm and will not create unnecessary glare. This solution is suitable for a large living room, with soulful feasts during cozy evenings.


Photo: sefastone.com

Save money on wet areas

Boldly paint high gloss bathroom walls or use it to finish splashbacks in the kitchen. Paint will cost you less than ceramic tiles and will pleasantly surprise you with its performance characteristics: it is resistant to moisture, peeling and flaking.


Charlotte’s Locks #286, Farrow & Ball

Kitchen Set

White furniture in a small kitchen is a great interior solution. It visually adds space and promotes the spread of light. Make this set glossy - and all the qualities of a white kitchen will multiply. Consider proper lighting. By the way, prints will be less visible on a white glossy surface. Dark elements, such as a sink and stove, will set off an overly light interior.


Photo: fabuwood.com

How to work with gloss?

Preparation of the surface for painting includes the following steps:

The appearance of the future glossy coating depends on the quality of the preparatory work, so special care and slowness are required.

After that, paint is applied in one or two layers on a perfectly even surface: with a brush in the corners, with a roller for large areas or with a spray gun for a small area or individual parts.

Enamel is applied to the primed surface in one layer.

Gloss paint can therefore be considered an economical material: a liter of material is enough to paint about ten square meters.

Matte paint is considered a good solution for painting walls: it can be used to hide small defects on the surface. Semi-gloss is well suited for rooms in which wet cleaning is often carried out. Before carrying out repairs, you need to familiarize yourself with the properties of the material used for staining.

Combination of matte and glossy fronts: if in doubt about the choice

Sometimes, even after weighing all the pros and cons of two types of fronts, it is difficult to choose one. In this case, the salvation will be a simple combination, namely the kitchen top gloss bottom matte.

This solution looks original. It is not necessary to choose one color palette. So, the lower cabinets are usually darkened, and the upper cabinets are made light. Such a simple technique helps to visually expand the space.

Glossy kitchen, the pros and cons of which are known to many, goes well with matt products.


Comfort of furniture is of decisive importance

Chairs

Plastic furniture is good because its shape can be varied, as well as the color scheme. Such furniture fits perfectly into high-tech, loft and minimalism and looks good with glass and metal. Don't be afraid to add bright colors to your interior - dilute it with a pair of colored chairs.


Photo: archiexpo.it

Matte finish - for complex shades

If you dream of a kitchen in dark or saturated colors, discreet matt fronts are the best solution. They are also suitable for imitation of wood and concrete, which are the latest trend in modern design.
The matte finish makes it possible to create a harmonious design, fading into the background when using bright decor in the design of the kitchen. Neutral gray, white or beige sets are a great backdrop for an original apron or bright textiles.

Wall

Glossy wooden wall surface is perfect for the bedroom.

Learn more