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Have You Noticed How Many Different Paint Sheen's There Are These Days?

Remember the days when it was flat, semi gloss and gloss? Then eggshell snuck in there.

Now You've got flat, flat enamel, eggshell enamel, satin enamel, semigloss enamel and high-gloss enamel.

And enamel seems to have a new definition. It used to designate an oil based paint, not anymore.

Now it seems to mean a durable, washable surface.

Here are some additional comments from Jeff Gordon.

I chose flat enamel for the walls. There was a time when painters chose semigloss oil paint for kitchen and bath walls so they could be washed. But unless you really want glossy walls, I don't recommend it. Modern water-based paint formulas are washable enough. And considering that the higher the gloss, the more imperfections show, most walls look better with flat or eggshell paint. The same goes for exterior siding.

I like woodwork to have a bit of sheen, but this is a personal preference. I chose satin enamel for the woodwork. It's shiny enough to set the wood apart from the walls, without being too glossy. The only time I would recommend high-gloss enamel for wood is if your woodwork, furniture or cabinetry is in pristine condition and meticulously prepped.

I'd go semigloss on trim and doors but as Jeff says – that's where personal preference comes in.

Read more of Jeff's original article here.