It can be very challenging to pick the right paint when completing a home-improvement project, particularly when you aren’t knowledgeable about paint finishes. This guide is for you to understand the difference between the paint finishes chart and how certain finishes look on the surface.
There are various kinds of paint finishes available; this guide determines when certain types of finishes should be used in a painting project and provides expert recommendations on how to select the proper paint finish for your particular painting project.
What Is A Paint Finishes Chart?
A paint finishes chart indicates the amount of light a particular color reflects, known as the “goodness of finish” or “sheen”. The range of finishes goes from completely matte, no shine, to very high-gloss, maximum shine. Paint companies usually provide a chart with similar finish references, which aids consumers in specifying the type of paint and amount of sheen they wish to use based on the guidelines of a basic rule of thumb: The lower the sheen, the softer the finish; the higher the sheen, the greater the durability and ease of cleaning.
How To Select The Right Paint Finish
Multiple elements contribute to your selection of paint finish:
- What are you working on?
- In what condition is the wall?
- Which room are you going to paint?
- Are you coloring in a particular fashion?
Identifying paint sheens means answering specific questions so that you can focus on the correct paint type and decorating products. To help answer these questions, you need to know what different sheens look like and how their finishes are related.
Paint Finishes Chart: The Comparison Between Several Types Of Paint Finishes
From flat paint to high-gloss paint, let’s take a more in-depth look at the different paint finishes.
| Paint Finish | Sheen Level | Durability / Cleanability | Best Uses | Hiding Power |
| Matte | 0% – 5% | Low (Hard to clean) | Ceilings, adult bedrooms | Excellent |
| Eggshell | 10% – 25% | Moderate (Wipes gently) | Living rooms, bedrooms | Good |
| Satin | 25% – 41% | High (Scrubbable) | Hallways, kitchens, kids’ rooms | Fair |
| Gloss | 70%+ | Maximum (Stain-resistant) | Front doors, shutters, furniture | Very Poor |
Matte Paint
According to the paint finishing chart, all types of flat paints, including matte paints, have a low level of shine. As a result, their appearance is flat. Paints with the greatest amount of pigments provide a more intense and vibrant colour than any other type of paint. The matte finish is perfect if you want a subtle and soft finish for formal settings. It also performs well on uneven or imperfect surfaces.
- Durable Matt Paint
The term Durable Matte refers to the fact that it has a tiny amount of glossiness. This type of paint is made to outlast typical matte paints and can take a lot more washing and scrubbing, and is also more stain-resistant. Durable matte is typically found in children’s bedrooms, kitchens and hallways.
Soft sheen paint
The following level of sheen is soft sheen paint, which can be easily cleaned; this makes it a popular choice in the paint finishes chart for use in more challenging environments such as bathrooms and utility rooms or busy areas of your home.
- Eggshell Paint
An eggshell paint has almost 10-25% sheen and provides a soft and velvety look, unlike a ‘matte’ but not quite as deep, and has slightly more sheen than a matt finish. The paint finishes chart shows it is a little more resistant to minor stains and scuffs than most matt finishes. The eggshell will be an easily cleaned finish.
Selecting a product with an unfinished surface gives the appearance of cleanliness, so choose a product with a satin finish or an eggshell finish to provide extra protection while also providing no visible wear or tear for exterior or interior use. Eggshell can also be used on hardwood and heat-emitting surfaces like radiators.
- Satin Finish
If you’re looking for something with a little extra class and more reflectiveness than an eggshell finish, then look no further than the satin finish. The satin finish can withstand scratches and scuffs much better than eggshell finishes; therefore, they make a perfect choice in all high-traffic areas, especially those needing frequent cleaning.
You can use satin finishes on other types of surfaces: for instance, kitchen cabinets, furniture, or even outdoor wood surfaces, but check the exterior paint finish chart for confirmation. Satin has a mid-sheen finish and provides the benefits of both gloss and matt emulsions blended together into one product.
- Gloss Finish
The gloss paint finish found in the paint finishes chart provides the highest level of reflectivity. Reflective surfaces will have a glossy appearance and create a higher brightness in a room regardless of the amount of light present in the area. Gloss finishes are ideal for use in high-traffic locations throughout your home, as they are very water-resistant while providing a great glossy reflective finish.
The problem with gloss paint is that it will show all flaws in the wall because of its reflectiveness. Make sure that your wall surface is in excellent condition before you apply a gloss finish to the wall.
Pick The Right Paint Finish With NJ Painting Services
Grasping the paint finishes chart is an essential resource in your decorating toolkit. Using our guide, you can select the appropriate paint products for the task. For additional inspiration in interior design and decoration, visit NJ Painting Services now.
Whether you’re aiming to enhance the interior with calming hues or to incorporate vibrant color into the exterior, our team provides exceptional painting services and our special interior paint finishes chart to help you pick the best one. Our focus on detail is what gives us pride, as we guarantee that every project we handle is finished to the utmost standard, which is more than 350.
