- Fri, Dec 2021
- |
- Mayas Painting
Many homeowners believe that choosing a paint color for interior and exterior walls is challenging. However, one incredible tip is to match it with other parts of your home or to decide which one has more benefits for the room. Today, we’ll talk about the semi-gloss vs. satin paint finish dilemma.
The paint’s sheen varies according to the amount of enamel in the formula. Usually, a long-lasting paint sheen becomes resistant to scratching, scuffing, and staining because it contains more enamel. Another aspect to consider is the light because it can be reflected or not by the paint sheen.
But when it comes to choosing the right paint sheen, it’s a more delicate decision since it involves not only visual but functional considerations. However, it’s important to mention that the semi-gloss has a little bit more reflectivity than the satin.
Keep reading to understand the differences between semi-gloss and satin paints to make this decision easier for you!
Main Differences Between Semi-Gloss vs. Satin Paint Finish
There are many differences between the semi-gloss and satin paint finishes, but they will always vary on the level of sheen and light reflectivity.
The Mixture and Finish Characteristics
Let’s start with the most obvious differences: mixture and finish.
These two types of paint have different ingredient mixtures. In the case of semi-gloss, it has about a 50 percent gloss mixed with paint. Satin paint is less shiny than semi-gloss paint since it has a lower gloss percentage. Satin paint only has a 30 percent gloss paint formula.
Due to the mentioned percentage of gloss in both types of paints, the semi-gloss paint will reflect more than 50% of the light, while the satin will reflect between 30% and 40%.
Different Paints. Different Mixtures
These two types of paint have different ingredient mixture. In the case of semi-gloss, it has about a 50 percent gloss mixed with paint.
Satin paint is less shiny than semi-gloss paint since it has a lower gloss percentage. Satin paint only has a 30 percent gloss in the mix.
Although percentage-wise the difference might look small, these two paint types are entirely different. Let’s take a look at the different finish characteristics of each paint type.
Semi-Gloss Paint Characteristics: Shiny Finish
When dry, semi-gloss paints offer a vibrant shine on home exteriors, this type of paint sheen is perfect for surfaces that require constant cleaning. Also, semi-gloss paints have better retention of color.
When it comes to durability, semi-gloss paint is stronger than satin. This type of paint is built for enduring harsh weather conditions like the hot beaming sun, strong winds, snow, rain, moisture, mildew, mold, stains, smoke, dust, and other weather elements and contaminants.
Also, a glossy paint finish will help to brighten spaces. Thus, using semi-gloss paint will make dark rooms look brighter and wider. The only reason you should avoid a glossy sheen is when you know there will be a lot of glare.
Aesthetically speaking, glossy surfaces draw attention. Thus, it will show even the smallest surface flaws, such as bumps or dips.
Therefore, if you intend to hide or downplay a room surface, you should avoid using a glossy paint finish.
Satin Paint Characteristics (Eggshell Look)
This type of paint finish looks almost like eggshell paint. You need to be clear that satin is different from eggshell paint, but the look is similar. It is simple since satin imitates the sheen and looks like an eggshell.
Satin paints will add a very subtle shine to your walls. So, you will end up with a delicate, smooth, and soft wall surface if you choose them.
When it comes to aesthetics, the satin paint finishes leave a more dull shine, which is perfect for hiding marks and surface flaws. In other words, a satin paint finish will create the illusion of a perfectly smooth wall surface.
Therefore, it depends on how bright you want your rooms to be. If you like a bright room, the high shine of semi-gloss paint is the better choice for you. Otherwise, you should go for a satin paint finish.
Need to Wash Your Wall without Damaging the Painted Wall?
Another difference when contrasting the semi-gloss vs. satin paint finish is the ability to wash the painted wall. If you have small kids, cats, and dogs, you should pay attention to this factor.
The more gloss and shine the paint you pick has, the easier it’s to remove stains. So, semi-gloss is a higher sheen paint than satin; thus, it’s typically easier to clean it without making it lose its shine.
If you have kids and need to wash the stains from the wall surface regularly, semi-gloss paint will be a better option than satin paint.
It’s proven that the enamel in the semi-gloss paint can resist a soft washing process.
Uses of Semi-Gloss vs. Satin Paint
If you don’t know where to use semi-gloss and satin paints, here are some common uses.
Where is a Good Idea to Use Semi-Gloss Paint?
Semi-gloss paints are commonly used in high-traffic areas due to their durability and easy-to-clean nature. Also, most homeowners like semi-gloss due to its power to resist humidity.
Paint Your Bathroom Walls with Semi-Gloss Finish
It is a good idea to use semi-gloss paint to cover your bathroom walls. This type of paint does a great job of protecting your surfaces from moisture buildup, mildew, and stains. As mentioned before, the pain resits humidity and stands against moisture.
This Paint Sheen Is Perfect to Highlight Woodwork!
Semi-gloss paint does a great job highlighting woodwork like trims, front doors, window frames, and it can even be used for kitchens or bathroom cabinets. This sheen type does a great job highlighting woodwork and holds up to constant handling.
But the best news is that you can wash the surfaces without destroying the paint. Remember that a deep wash with some chemicals can damage the surface, so it is recommendable to only clean with a wet microfiber cloth.
Other Places Where Semi-Gloss Paint Looks Incredible:
A semi-gloss finish is the best option for bedrooms, garage doors, posts, railings, gutters, and exterior walls.
If you have walls that are in excellent condition, consider semi-gloss for your kid’s room, your hallways, and your living rooms if you don’t mind the shine.
Note:
A semi-gloss paint finish is not a good choice if you need to conceal cracks, chips, or other surface imperfections. Instead of hiding them, it makes them more noticeable!
Think About Satin for the Following Surfaces!
Satin paint is less glossy than semi-gloss paint. Thus, we recommend that you use it for painting your kitchen walls, bathroom, ceilings, windows, doors, and other interior surfaces.
Use Satin Paint for Your Kitchen Walls!
Most people prefer to use a satin finish to paint the kitchen walls. This is a good idea since the satin paint doesn’t shine excessively, and it will help you hide minor imperfections in the walls.
We advise you to use satin paint on your kitchen walls, and you can paint the cabinets or other woodwork with a semi-gloss paint.
With that painting scheme, your kitchen will look perfect!
Paint Your Bathroom Surfaces with Satin Paint!
As semi-gloss, a satin finish is perfect for avoiding watermarks. Satin is also resistant to humidity. As experts, we advise you not to paint your bathroom walls using a paint sheen higher than satin, such as matte or flat paint.
If you don’t like too shiny walls, you need to use satin paints! They are better than flat paints because you do not need to clean the surface regularly; besides, they are highly resistant, the wall will not be damaged while you wash it.
The main benefit of painting a wall is durability; while looking good, you need to ensure protection from external factors. We know it is a delicate area because it is exposed to humidity; that is why you should protect it as soon as possible.
Receive Professional Assistance
Now that you know the main characteristics of semi-gloss vs. satin paint, you can notice both have similarities and differences. In simple words, semi-gloss paint is more shining and light-reflective than satin, but both are great for different house parts.
Both resist humidity and can be used in areas with high traffic, especially where kids play. If you have animals, you can clean both paints from stains. Besides that, you don’t have to worry about early color fading.
If you need help from a professional for this job, do not hesitate to contact us or look at our interior painting service in Philadelphia, PA.
Our mission at Mayas Painting is always to protect your investment. Thus, we make sure that your paint job lasts beyond your expectations.
To learn more about the work we do and our special prices, you can look at the different services we offer.
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