What’s in a sheen?

Choosing the right gloss level for your home or office could be quite a challenge.

So here is some helpful information in choosing the right sheen for your living or working space.

Glossy paints

Glossy paints exhibit the highest reflectivity, and are the easiest paint to clean. They are excellent inside and out, as they offer good protection against weathering on exterior surfaces, and can take heavy use, fingerprints, grease and grime on interior surfaces. Colours tinted into glossy paints tend to appear cleaner and more intense than flat paints. However, due to their high light reflectivity, glossy finishes are less forgiving of surface imperfections. So, if your walls are not well plastered, then a glossy sheen would not be the best choice, unless the needs for high dirt pick up and ease of cleaning are both greater than seeing the surface imperfections being more obvious. Berger glossy paints (75%- 80% gloss) include Royale Water-Based Luxury Gloss Enamel. Paints with >80% gloss levels include Berger 404, RustPro and Magicote Oil.

Semi-gloss paints

Semi-gloss paints have a slightly less glossy appearance than glossy paints. These finishes offer good stain resistance, and are easy to clean. Paints with a semi-gloss appearance are also great in many of the same areas as glossy paints, and work equally well on wood and wall. Berger Semi-gloss paints (45%-55% gloss) include WeatherProof Ultra, Berger 404 and Royale Luxury Interior Emulsion-Satin.

Low sheen paints

Low sheen paints, for decades, have been the finish of first choice for both interior and exterior wood and wall, and are ideal where some degree of sheen and cleaning properties are needed. Like high and semi-gloss, low-sheen paints also highlight surface imperfections, and are most commonly used over timber, concrete and plaster finishes. Low sheen (18%-23% gloss) products include Berger Everglow, Berger Clear Acrylic Over-Glaze, Berger Floor and Patio Paint, Nature’s Whites and Royale.

Silk sheen paints

Silk sheen paints tend to impart greater warmth and depth to surfaces than flat finishes, and provide a stain resistance not seen in flat paints. Silk sheens are also becoming increasingly popular for spaces such as living room, dining area and adults’ bedrooms. Silk sheen 4%-6% gloss: Berger Royale Luxury Interior Emulsion-Silk.

Flat paints

Flat paints diffuse the highest degree of light, and as a result are the best choice for concealing surface imperfections and undulations. Colours appear muddied and darker in flat finishes than in glossier finishes. Of all the sheen levels, flat finishes have the lowest resistance to dirt resistance and present a greater challenge to clean and to keep clean. Flat finishes are best used in areas of less wear and tear. Flat < 3%: Berger 303 Flat Emulsion, Berger Magicote Flat Emulsion, Berger Roller-Tex, Berger Trowel-On, Berger Non-Drip Ceiling Paint and Berger 404 Flat Enamel.

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