Home - Garden
3 Differences Between Satin And Semi-Gloss Paint
By LUCY CLARK
You'll need to consider more than just the color when buying paint, and there are roughly five different types of finishes including matte, high-gloss, semi-gloss, eggshell, and satin. Some may have obvious differences, but others, like satin and semi-gloss finishes, can be hard to distinguish.
Reflectivity & Sheen
A satin finish has a pearlescent quality when dry, and offers a bit of reflection and sheen. Semi-gloss paint also falls in the middle of the spectrum, but it is shinier than a satin finish and will appear a little less saturated on your walls as it reflects more light.
Durability & Location
Satin paint is durable and easy to clean, making it perfect for hallways, living rooms, or bathrooms as it's mildew resistant. Semi-gloss is even more durable, easy to clean, and resistant to moisture damage, but you need to invest in prepping your walls as it reveals more flaws.
Uses & Applications
Satin paint works great as a trim and accent color for interior and exterior features by creating definition and brightening up a room. Semi-gloss is even more potent and works well with flat wall paint to create a sophisticated sense of dimension, especially with kitchen cabinets.