When you need to paint a room, two important aspects to consider are color and sheen. And choosing the ideal paint sheen for your needs is a challenge as well because there are so many available options.
Two of the most popular interior paint finishes are eggshell and semi-gloss. But there are some key differences between the two paint sheens that you need to be aware of.
Today, we’ll compare eggshell vs semi-gloss paint sheen addressing their differences, benefits, and uses. In this way, we’ll help you make an informed decision when choosing the right paint finish for your next painting project.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, sheen means: “a bright or shining condition.” In other words, paint sheen is the measure of the amount of light a painted surface reflects.
According to Wikipedia, the different types of paint sheens in order from the dullest to the shiniest are: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss paint.
Eggshell and semi-gloss paint sheens are used differently for painting indoors. Eggshell paint is recommended for moderate-traffic areas like living rooms, dining rooms, home offices, and interior woodwork. The recommended use of semi-gloss paint is for high-traffic and high-moisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, exterior walls, basement walls, exterior trim, front doors, and window frames.
Why did paint manufacturers named eggshell paint sheen? Well, this paint finish when cured has a similar look to a chicken egg. So, this type of paint finish has a soft, velvety texture, and a low sheen. Eggshell paint has a relatively low sheen level that goes from 10-15. This type of paint finish is ideal for creating a soft, muted look in your rooms.
Eggshell paint is similar to flat paint because it has little sheen. So, it works fine hiding cracks, dents, and flaws on walls and even woodwork. Also, eggshell paint is better than flat paint for resisting stains.
One of the biggest benefits of using an eggshell paint finish is that it is relatively easy to clean. Unlike some other paint finishes that are prone to showing marks and scratches, eggshell paint is durable and can withstand regular cleaning without showing any signs of wear and tear.
Eggshell paint is perfect for moderate-traffic areas like living rooms, dining rooms, home offices, and interior woodwork.
Semi-gloss paint sheen, as its name says it, is a somewhat glossy/shiny finish. In fact, the gloss range of semi-gloss paint is around 40 to 50.
For perspective, high-gloss paint has the highest sheen level which ranges from 85 to 100.
This type of paint finish is moisture resistant. Thus, you can easily clean and wipe down these surfaces with a damp cloth without leaving any marks or streaks. Last but not least, semi-gloss paint is highly durable, and it will not easily peel, blister, or crack.
Semi-gloss paint sheen is ideal for high-traffic and high-moisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, cabinets, laundry rooms, exterior walls, basement walls, exterior trim, front doors, and window frames.
In the recommended use sections, we already mentioned the rooms that can be painted using eggshell and semi-gloss paint finishes. So, you need to consider the specific needs of your space before picking the paint sheen.
If we didn’t mention the room you want to paint, you can make your decision following these general recommendations:
Another factor to consider is the amount of natural light in your room. If you have a lot of natural light in your room, you may want to opt for a paint finish with a higher sheen, as this will help to reflect light and make the space appear brighter. If you have limited natural light in your room, you may want to choose a paint finish with a lower sheen, as this will help to absorb light and create a warm, cozy feel.
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