Why You Should Take a Shine to Sheen

This article by Debbie Zimmer from the Paint Quality Institute goes into more detail on paint sheens.

Spring House, PA - Many do-it-yourself painters spend hours selecting the perfect paint colors, but give far less thought to the sheen they'll use. That's short-sighted, according to Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute, who recently was named one of the "Top 200 Influencers in the Home Design Industry".

"Paint sheen affects not only the initial appearance of a paint job, but also its long-term performance," says Zimmer. "So it's important to carefully consider your options when choosing a paint."

Leading paint brands come in as many as six different levels of sheen, which is basically a measure of the reflectivity of the paint once it's applied. Flat paint is the least reflective, followed by increasingly "shiny" options like matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and -- shiniest of all -- high gloss.

If the condition of your walls is impeccable, you can choose any level of sheen your eye desires. But if you have sloppy sheetrock, uneven surfaces, or otherwise imperfect walls, be aware that paint with a higher sheen will make these defects more apparent, while a coating with less sheen will help conceal them.

There's another aesthetic aspect of sheen: The shinier the paint, the more it will reflect light, rather than absorb it. So, if you want to brighten your surroundings without inflating your electric bill, consider using wall paint with some significant sheen - trading up from a flat paint to , say, a semi-gloss coating. The difference will be apparent.

Some of the reasons sheen level is important have to do not just with the appearance of your paint on day one, but rather, the way it will look years later.

"Paints with higher sheen are tougher, more durable, more mildew resistant, and more stain-resistant than those with a flat or matte finish," says Zimmer, "so they'll hold up better over time. If the room you are painting is heavily used, it's wise to select a wall paint from the glossier side of the spectrum."

Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms are clearly candidates for semi-gloss, or even high gloss wall paint; so, too, are rooms that are frequented by guests, children, or pets. On the other hand, walls in lesser-used spaces such as entrance ways or spare bedrooms will likely hold up well even with flat or low sheen paint.

Should they ever become soiled, glossier paints are much easier to clean. High gloss and semi-gloss paints, in particular, will easily give up fingerprints and many other common stains with just light scrubbing. As a results, they're ideal for use not just on walls, but also on windows, doors, and baseboards.

So when the counter person at the paint store asks which sheen you'd like, don't brush off the question - reflect on your needs. In many ways, the sheen level of the paint you choose is every bit as important as the color!

Graphic by Krissy Brown Designs

To learn more about paint sheen and interior painting, visit the Paint Quality Institute online at http://blog.paintquality.com

About the PAINT QUALITY INSTITUTE

The Paint Quality Institute was formed in 1989 to educate people on the advantages of using quality interior and exterior paints and coatings. The Paint Quality Institute's goal is to provide information on the virtues of quality paint as well as color trends and decorating with paint through a variety of vehicles, including television appearances, newspaper and magazine articles, and instructional literature. Please be sure to visit the Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com. PAINT QUALITY INSTITUTE and PAINTQUALITY.COM are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow.