In choosing between satin vs matte, we know satin is better used in areas that have a high risk of bumps, scratches, and maintenance. The same can be said for eggshell paint but, again, it has a lower sheen than satin. Of course, matte is for areas where less action happens. Plus, matte is duller in comparison to satin and eggshell.
SELECTING PAINT GLOSS
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.
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.
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.
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Satin vs Matte: How Do They Differ?
The deal breaker lies in the sheen in satin and matte paint finishings. Some people prefer satin, as satin paint reflects more light, hence making the colors pop; while others simply prefer matte for its low sheen.
Another difference between satin and matte coat finishing is satin finishing is perfect for outdoor wall painting while matte is more suitable for indoor wall painting. This is because satin is more durable in different weather conditions while matte is less receptive.
At this point, you might simply choose satin over matte considering the durability aspect. However, there is more to it than just withstanding the test of time and which one lasts longer.
General rule – gloss finishes prove durable (satin, semi-gloss and gloss) while flat finishes cover imperfections better (eggshell, matte and flat).
A. Appearance
Satin paint, in many respects, remains to be the top choice for finishings. This is mainly attributed to how it gives depth and puts more color into a space, depending on the lighting conditions. Satin paint has an opaque look with 25-30% shine.
All glossy finishes reflect light, like gloss, semi-gloss, and satin – just at a different percentage.
On the other hand, matte paints are becoming as popular a choice as satin. Not only does it give modernized look, but it also adds sophistication and volume to a space. Matte paint is very close to flat paint (and often synonymous) and has only 5 to 10% sheen, matte reflects almost no light.
Sometimes you will see people saying “flat paint matte” because the two are very close, but flat paint finish has less sheen than matte.
Whether you choose satin to reflect more light inside your living room or bedroom is as personal a choice as choosing matte to give a cleaner and minimalistic look.
B. Finish and Coverage
A matte finish gives a dull and flat color finish on the surface of a material. Imagine a piece of colored paper that does not have a wax finish to it and you’ll get a rough idea of what matte finishing looks like. This is usually preferred by those who wish to keep a low profile and keep everything simple without sacrificing aesthetics.
Additionally, matte paints maintain a good finish on the surface of their house, car, or even personal belongings because it is pigment-rich. They offer better coverage which means you need less paint to cover the same area as if you would use satin or gloss paint.
Satin, on the other hand, reflects more light than matte. Many decorators like satin paints because they don’t take long to dry and the finish is beautiful to the eye and the touch. The coverage is not the best, but the silky finish makes satin paint one of the favorite choices of interior designers.
C. Durability and Maintenance
Satin paint is more durable and resistant than matte paint.
Ask any paint expert and he/she will tell you the amount of resin in a paint formula is important in terms of durability:
- Satin paint, in general, has more resin/binders making it more resistant to scratches and other surface damages. Resin is also responsible for satin finishing’s luster giving it its velvety appearance. Moreover, it won’t easily wear off when rubbed or scrubbed for cleaning. Satin paint works better for houses with kids and pets.
In addition, satin paint resists mold better and is easier to clean than matte or even eggshell surface finishing.
- On the other hand, matte finishing has a low resin component in its formula. And with this, it is easy to deduce matte finishings constantly face the risk of scratches and wear-offs when scrubbed for cleaning. Another problem with matte is how it is moisture resistant making it less durable. Furthermore, the low resin in the formula of matte finishing means it will easily lose its smooth surface finish in comparison to satin.
D. Cost
On average, satin paint is around $10 more expensive than matte paint. Below is a price comparison between satin vs matte paints from these two top paint brands in the USA.
A. House Interior and Cabinets
A kitchen is a place where we spend a lot of time experimenting with food because we all know that food is the way to everyone’s heart. Hence, we kind of expect this area to be getting a lot of action—from opening and closing cabinets to shuffling kitchen wears on the countertops, to shutting cupboards and fridge doors.
The same is true for the living room where frustrated karaoke singers tend to belt it all out, children run amock, or your teens playing the latest PS4 games. Such areas are called “high-traffic” areas.
These are places in the house where people frequent making them prone to bumps, scratches, fingerprint stains, food stains, and scrubs. Given our breakdown earlier for durability, kitchen and living room walls, cabinets, countertops, and cupboards are good with satin paint finishing.
Satin paint finishing is also preferred by interior designers and experts on areas you typically wipe something with such as counters, wooden coffee tables, window frames, hardwood floors, tables, chairs, and moldings to name some.
B. Bedroom and Office Rooms
In contrast to the living room and kitchen, bedrooms, and house offices are generally considered low-traffic areas. These are areas where actions are at a minimal degree. As a result, we typically have to scrub them clean or bump and scratch the walls less. In these areas, matte paint finishing is usually preferred because there is no need for regular maintenance and the coverage is typically efficient.
In addition, a ceiling area is also a perfect place where matte paint can be used as ceilings, while they require cleaning every once in a while, and don’t require rigorous scrubbing.
C. Bathroom Walls
Bathrooms are high-traffic areas and, thus, require a paint finish that could resist all the comings and goings. With this, it’s best to settle with satin finishing as this is waterproof and won’t easily peel from your walls due to the changes in temperature inside.
If you can recall, we mentioned earlier how satin paint resists molds and can withstand moisture better than matte paint. Since the bathroom walls are constantly drenched in water and experience changes in room temperature (wink to cold and hot showers), they are very prone to molds, and removing molds require scrubbing which, by extension, can damage the paint coating. Hence, satin paint is very much preferred in this scenario.
However, if you wish to settle with a matte instead, it could work as well. Modern paint technology now makes matte finishing resistant to the harsh results of the changes in temperature inside a bathroom.
Satin vs Matte Acrylic Paint: What’s the Difference?
Regular acrylic paint can be semi-glossy or matte, rarely we will find craft acrylics with satin finish. Satin acrylic paint is shinier than matte and more durable, but also dries faster (10-20 min), however matte acrylic paint can be easier to apply. To adjust the finish and shining, we can use matte varnish or glossy varnish, and even epoxy, to make all colors really pop.
Acrylics tend to dry darker and they are opaque, so a nice gloss finish works magically, while, for me, matte makes it even darker. Satin dries to light gloss, while matte will dry exactly like you see it – quite flat.
For satin acrylic paint, we recommend getting Folk Art Satin Paint – it is great for a variety of crafts from paper to glass. Another popular and cheap brand Craft Smart also has satin paint for kids and students.
On the other hand, matte acrylic paint, like Apple Barrel Matte paint, is preferred by some crafters because it has less sheen making the finished product look softer, less bright.
Whether you are painting on a canvas or on your house walls, you might want to consider how you wish the finished product would look. Do you prefer a flashy and flaunty finish or a more subdued but sophisticated, nonetheless, look?
Related:
- How to Paint with Acrylics on Canvas: 3 Essential Steps [Supplies included]
- Best Acrylic Paint: 21 Brands Reviewed for Beginners [From Cheap to Pro]
Satin vs Matte Spray Paint: Which Is Better?
Essentially, satin and matte spray paint possess the same elements as acrylic. Moreover, satin and matte spray paint also give off more or less the same result as the acrylic ones. Which one is better depends on the surface where you wish to use it and how exposed that surface is.
To review, satin spray is best used in high-traffic areas (kitchen, floors) while matte is better off used in areas with fewer actions so as not to damage the finish. Matte spray paint will be a more cost-efficient decision than satin spray paint.
However, satin spray painted surfaces make damage more visible in contrast to matter spray paint. With this, we give the upper hand to matte spray paint.
