Which is better satin or semi gloss paint

Satin vs Semi-Gloss: Choosing the Right Paint Finish for Your Project

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When you’re choosing fresh paint for your walls or wooden furniture, after color, the next big decision to be made is that of sheen. Two middle-of-the-road options for paint finish—satin and semi-gloss—are quite popular for being neither too shiny nor too matte. In fact, telling them apart can get somewhat tricky.

Both finishes are available in traditional oil-based paints and modern latex paints alike. Both are options for cans of paint as well as cans of paint-and-primer combos. The two types of finishes can be found in special latex paints with low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) versions. The subtle differences between the two can make one distinctly better fit for your project than another.

RELATED: All You Need to Know About Paint Types

Read on to see these two popular paint finishes go head to head, satin vs semi-gloss. The following key comparisons can aid you in choosing the one that best suits your next paint project.

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Most notably, semi-gloss has more sheen than satin.

The types of finishes you’ll likely find in most paint collections—ranging from most to least reflective—are glossy/high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, and flat/matte. Semi-gloss is slightly higher on the scale than satin and, thus, promises a little more reflectivity.

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Semi-gloss’s extra sheen may change how your paint color looks on the wall.

While both finishes have a hint of sheen, more light from your lamps or the room’s uncovered windows will bounce off of semi-gloss surface than a satin surface (which actually absorbs some additional light instead). As a result of the way light reflects, the same paint color may appear slightly darker in a semi-gloss finish and slightly lighter in a satin one. So, factor that in when you’re making your final decision about which paint finish to use.

Semi-gloss is more durable and easier to clean.

The higher the gloss, the easier the cleanup of messes like fingerprints and smudges. For objects and areas that get a lot of use and therefore require frequent wipe-downs—bathrooms, kitchens, playrooms, kids’ bedrooms, and any other area children may feel tempted to draw on walls with Crayola—semi-gloss is often the wiser option. Because the surface is slicker, it’s more resistant to moisture and easier to go over with a damp cloth or special sprays designed for minor household disasters. (Either semi-gloss or satin finish, though, beats out their eggshell and flat/matte finishes for durability.)

Semi-gloss better draws the eye to architectural elements.

Generally speaking, cleaning needs aside, satin is the default choice for many do-it-yourselfers refreshing interior walls and furniture, while smaller doses of semi-gloss highlight home features: cabinetry, mantels, stair railing, window trim, door casings, and crown molding. Even if you apply the same color in two different sheens in a room—satin to the walls and semi-gloss to the trim—the reflection will make the craftsmanship of the molding pop.

Satin is more forgiving of pre-existing imperfections than semi-gloss.

If you’ve got dings and dents in your walls, your cabinets, or your soon-to-be-painted dresser, the reflective nature of semi-gloss will only draw more attention to every flaw. A satin finish is more flattering over pocks, divots, and scrapes since it draws the light in and tricks the eye into seeing a more even surface. So, if you want to deflect attention away from faults and blemishes without spending hours sanding them away, satin is the way to go.

The cost between the two is negligible, but you may pay a few cents less on the dollar for satin.

Generally speaking, the more gloss a paint offers, the more it will cost. Semi-gloss paint is manufactured with more binders (resins responsible for sheen) than satin paint in order to deliver the reflection and durability for which it’s known. So, if you’re looking to a little bit of money repainting walls throughout the whole home, satin is the most budget-worthy option of the two that still offers a hint of sheen.

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Satin vs semi-gloss paint – what are the differences? |

When decorating the home, it’s usually the color that we focus on first. Whether it’s nicely neutral or bold and bright, there are so many palettes to choose from with something for every mood, activity and interior.

But it’s equally important to understand the different qualities of all the paint finishes you might use from matte paint to gloss, and these paint ideas will depend on what you are painting and where. Satin vs semi-gloss paint is often a choice you’ll have to weigh up, and this is the lowdown on selecting one or other.

Satin vs semi-gloss paint – what are the differences?

Essentially, it’s a question of paint sheen levels. Both are glossier than eggshell paint, but satin paint has a velvety smooth look with a little gloss. It’s used mainly for window frames, doors, architectural features, as a paint finish for trim and a paint for ceilings as well as interior walls. Durable and hardwearing, it’s ideal for kitchens, children’s rooms, playrooms, entryways, and as a paint finish for bathrooms like powder rooms – in fact, any high traffic area within the home.

Semi-gloss meanwhile has more sheen than satin so it’s more reflective. This makes it great for creating a feeling of space, as light ‘bounces’ off the semi-gloss finish. And while satin can be used for interior walls, semi-gloss is best kept for woodwork such as skirting boards, architraves, banisters, balustrades and so on. ‘Semi-gloss has a higher sheen level than satin,’ confirms Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore , ‘meaning that it is more reflective. The extra levels of luminosity make it perfectly suited to highlight the architectural details. It cures to a smooth finish and its glossy look makes a great finish for kitchen cabinets.’

(Image credit: Getty Images / Catherine Falls Commercial)

Which is more durable?

Semi-gloss is said to be more hardwearing and resistant to scuffs and knocks that satin. Yet saying that, any dents and bashes will be more noticeable on a glossy finish so either makes a good option. Both are easy enough to clean though semi-gloss is better in moist or humid rooms such as the powder room. Following a thorough gloss paint guide and satin paint guide will ensure that you don't make any mistakes.

Satin paint explained

If you want to paint your walls or you want a matte finish for woodwork then satin paint is the perfect choice. Satin retains the pigment color better than semi-gloss but keep in mind that if you are painting walls with it, then it will have a higher sheen than flat matte. It will reflect a subtle light off its surface and won’t be quite as durable or stain resistant as semi-gloss.

Semi-gloss paint explained

Less shiny with a lower sheen than high-gloss, semi-gloss is still more glossy than satin and isn’t advised for use on interior walls. It’s ideal for woodwork in high traffic areas such as entryways, living areas, dining rooms, kitchens, powder rooms and children’s rooms and playrooms. It’s also great for upcycling or refreshing wooden furniture, kitchen or powder room cabinets. Durable and hardwearing, it’s also easy to clean and helps protect the surface underneath if used in powder rooms or shower areas. Semi-gloss also has more texture to it than satin so stick with satin if you want a smoother finish.

‘The more glossy the surface is, the more light it reflects and the better your preparation and equipment has to be to achieve a good quality finish,’ adds Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux . ‘If you are choosing a quick drying satinwood, the darker shades can often be a little bit glossier because they contain more pigment than paler shades and white. ’

Things to consider when choosing between satin vs semi-gloss paint

There are some other points to think about before choosing satin or semi-gloss. As semi-gloss has a higher sheen than satin, it can affect how the color appears on the wall once painted. Semi-gloss bounces and reflects light around a room, so if your space has lots of lights and lamps or plenty of natural sunlight, the end result can be a little different to the color on the tin. Satin paint meanwhile tends to absorb light, so it can appear lighter than you initially thought. In any case it’s best to do a patch test on a hidden area before taking the plunge.

When it comes to durability, semi-gloss is more hardwearing as well as being easier to clean. And because a glossy surface is more slick, it’s also more resistant to moisture.

As a general rule, use satin for interior walls and furniture and semi-gloss for small areas that need highlighting such as cabinets, mantels, stair rails, door and window frames.

The best types of interior paint for home decoration: matte, semi-gloss, glossy, semi-gloss,

Spring is coming, and with it comes the traditional holiday, which is often forgotten - cleaning! A big part of the annual cleaning is home decorating (or renovation). For the best result, it is not enough that the paint is interior, you need to pay attention to the type of paint or texture.

In this article we will study the types of latex paint. Latex does not contain lead. Before the advent of lead-free or emulsion paints, lead poisoning was a terrible hazard, especially for children and infants who might put paint particles in their mouths. Latex paint is low odor, non-toxic and much safer to work with.

There are five basic interior finish home paint gloss levels – matte, semi-gloss, satin, semi-gloss and gloss or enamel. Each kind of house paint is different in appearance, feel and how it lends itself to further exploitation. The biggest differences in house paints are cost, mechanical strength and cleanability. Here is a summary of the types of paint in order of sheen from lowest to highest. On the shelves of home improvement stores, the paint will be displayed in this order and will increase in value, depending on how much sheen it has.

Matt paint. Of the interior types of paint, this is the least expensive and most matte paint. Use matte paint unless you never need to wash the surface. This ink shows all prints and does not resist grease or stains. Any fingerprint or smudge will seep into the matte paint and smudge into unsightly spots. Matte paint can only be used on ceilings in bedrooms or hallways, not in kitchens or bathrooms. It has a good matte finish, hides wall imperfections well, and is the cheapest, but semi-gloss or satin paint is recommended for universal use.

Semi-gloss paint. Semi-matte paint is not as widely used for home decoration, but is recommended in place of matte paint if you can find one. The cost difference isn't that big, but the texture is different. As the English name of this paint (Eggshell) implies, when it dries, the paint looks and feels like the surface of an egg. Semi-gloss house paint can be washed, but only with considerable effort. This paint is not the best choice for a kitchen or bathroom ceiling. Non-shiny paint is better for ceilings, as these surfaces look better with a matte, non-reflective effect. Semi-matt interior paints also hide the imperfections of the walls.

Satin colors. For home decoration, satin paint has all the benefits of semi-gloss paint in terms of texture and coverage, but is more affordable. Satin paint also cleans up better, but is not suitable for any vigorous cleaning. Satin paint has the advantage of hiding brush marks better than semi-gloss or gloss paint. Satin paint is probably the best choice among all interior paints.

Semigloss paint is the most expensive interior paint. Semi-gloss paint is generally best suited for home decoration in rooms that are used the most, such as children's bedrooms, playrooms, bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens. The semi-gloss paint has a nice sheen and washes very well. It is very resistant and resists almost all kinds of dirt and grease very well. However, semi-gloss paint shows all the imperfections of the wall, so do not use it on damaged walls.

Glossy house paint is a very glossy paint that is harder to find. It looks very good in places like bathrooms next to sinks, toilets or showers and areas around sinks and stoves in the kitchen.

There is also a sixth type of paint with some unique benefits called children's room paint. This type of paint is well suited for places where children play. The paint for the children's room can be washed with a detergent, which makes it easier to clean. Coating prices vary, but you can expect to pay about $2 per gallon more for each gloss level. Then there is another type of paint that is available in most different kinds of interior paints and that is single coat paint. It costs more, but promises that one coat covers like two, hiding even the most varied paint colors. One coat of paint is worth the extra money if it lives up to the promise. Even walls that are in very poor condition will usually be covered in one coat. Save money on different paint brands, sales and discounts, but don't try to save a few dollars by choosing the wrong type of paint for your use.

WHICH PAINT SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR WALLS, MATT OR SEMI_MATT?

The table above shows the main gradations of types of painted surfaces, and it is indicated for which parts of the interior it is better to use one or another type of paint.

Different types of paint surfaces reflect light differently, and this affects the perception of the color we choose. Matte surface paint does not reflect light very much, so matte paint perfectly masks imperfect wall preparation or, in other words, gives a great guarantee that the painted surface will look more even. As we move through the gradation further to semi-matt or satin-surface semi-matt paints and further to glossy paints, we get a greater reflectivity of the paints, which gives the walls or painted surfaces a silky feel and a lighter or stronger sheen.

Paints with different surface finishes also wear out differently during use. So when choosing a type of paint based on gloss, we are actually choosing how long our walls will look fresh and new. After all, the greater the gloss of the paint, the easier and with less effort it will be cleaned or washed afterwards.

So, we come to the fact that what to choose between different types of matte or glossy surface should not be based on love or dislike for matte or gloss, but on the basis of paint resistance requirements, depending on the room in which we will be apply paint. Once again, the greater the gloss, the harder the film forms on the surface of the paint after application. And the harder this film, the greater the resistance of the paint to abrasion or tearing on the surface of the cracks. Matte paints, respectively, are more porous, so they absorb dirt more and are harder to clean.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each type of ink in a slightly more advanced format: high gloss, gloss, semi-gloss, satin, semi-gloss and matte. The description below can be easily correlated with the table at the beginning of the article.

- High Gloss, or High Gloss Finish - Provides the highest degree of gloss and the hardest film on the surface, making these paints the easiest to clean. At the same time, high-gloss paints reflect light the most and emphasize all the smallest surface imperfections, making such paints very difficult to apply. Surface preparation for high gloss and painting itself is best left to professionals. High gloss paints are best for walls and surfaces in high traffic areas. Glossy paints are also ideal for accent painting moldings, profiles or details that you want to highlight in your interior. Wooden portals of fireplaces (if they are to be painted), wooden accent decorative details, exclusive panels, details of cabinets and built-in furniture, which are supposed to be painted with accent colors, should also be painted with glossy paints of these accent colors.

- Semi Gloss - Slightly less reflective than High Gloss and still fairly resistant to stains. These paints are a good choice for spaces designed for small children, playrooms, corridors or passageways.

- Satin - Semi Gloss - Has a softer, lower sheen and does not shine to the same extent as high gloss or semi gloss paint. Satin is semi-gloss, still cleans well, and is quite resistant to abrasion, making these types of paints practical enough to be used in almost all areas of a house or apartment.

- Semi-matt eggshell eggshell - has a soft sheen like the surface of an egg. This type of paint is good for walls, but not for door frames and frames, and not for moldings or profiles on walls. Such a surface can still be washed without damaging the paint surface, but the paint can accumulate dirt on the surface of the decorative elements and profiles protruding from the passages.

- Matte paints - have a surface that does not reflect light, thus allowing you to hide surface preparation imperfections (minor, do not take matt paints as a panacea for poor surface preparation for painting).