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Q: Can someone explain the different levels of paint gloss to me?

I've read that different types of paint gloss should be used in different rooms and in different applications in the same room. Can someone explain these levels to me? I guess there are six levels of sheen: flat, matte, satin, eggshell, semigloss, and gloss. What do these different terms mean? When and where should each of these gloss types be used?

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  • A: Paint Gloss Levels - not as simple as it sounds!



    When specifying paint it is just as important to pay attention to the gloss level as it is to the color or hue. Unfortunately every paint manufacturer is essentially coming up with a scale of their own, although most of them use a system with roughly 6 to 7 levels.

    Here are some general guidelines when specifying paint gloss levels:
    Flat/matt: Used in low traffic areas and for deeper colors; scuff marks are hard to remove
    Satin: Medium traffic areas (hallways) and for lighter colors (creates a sheen in darker colors)
    Eggshell: Damp areas, high traffic areas (kitchen, bathrooms, hallways); creates a sheen in darker colors
    Semigloss: For Doors and trim; ideal for a more informal setting
    Gloss: Trim, door & window casing; creates high contrast and impact; often used in traditional and elaborate trim work.

    If you are interested in a more in-depth analyses please refer to the following website: http://www.paintpro.net/Articles/PP505/PP505_Standards.cfm

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    Mar 5, 2021

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