Satin Vs Gloss: Which Paint Is Best and Why?

Randy Charles
Professional Painter

Randy Charles is the owner of PaintCentric.com, a website dedicated to providing information, tips, tricks, and news about all things paint. With over 10 years...Read more

House painting finishes are very important. This is because the finishes determine the house’s attraction. It determines the level of confidence homeowners have.

How then can house finishes be known? Satin and gloss are great finishes. How does a house owner know which to use? What is the difference between them?

Satin and gloss are both shiny attractive paints. Many people don’t know the difference. This is because they both give shiny surfaces. Satin and gloss both give house owners extra confidence. How, then, can they be known differently?

Satin Vs. Gloss – What’s Distinguished the Two?

Satin and gloss, both shiny paints, bring lots of confusion. How do you know which one should be used and where? How do you know which one stands out more? All these questions need answers. Satin and gloss vary in texture. It also varies in its shiny nature.

Satin and gloss are both desirable paints. For this reason, the difference between satin and gloss has been outlined below.

Satin Vs. Gloss
Satin Vs. Gloss
SatinGloss
Satin is less shiny. As a result, light reflection is minimal.Gloss reflects plenty of light because of its shiny nature.
Satin is mostly used outside. This is because it is highly resistant to mildew and other external problems.Gloss is mostly indoor paint. It’s specially designed to add decor to a room. For this reason, it doesn’t withstand mildew.
Because of its low light reflection, mistakes on the wall are hidden.It reflects plenty of light, and as a result, mistakes will be seen.
Satin paints don’t highlight designs by architects.Gloss paints architectural designs.

1. Satin Finishing Paint

Satin Finishing Paint
Satin Finishing Paint

Satin is a shiny finishing paint. It’s not as shiny as gloss finishing paint. It reflects little light. It’s highly durable. It lasts long because it has high resistance to mildew and hardly peels.

Compared to gloss finishing, Satin finishing has less than forty percent gloss. Satin paint has a soft, smooth texture. It’s very attractive and boosts the lighting of the house.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Its ability to resist moisture and peeling makes it durable.
It is easily cleaned. Dust and stains can easily be wiped off with water.
Its shiny nature reflects light. This reflection adds lighting to a dull room.
It is very durable for exterior and high-traffic areas.[/i2pros][i2cons]Constant cleaning reduces its sheen.
It doesn’t hide imperfections as well as flat paints.
Its application is tricky. This is because imprints will be left if it’s applied to a dry corner.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

Where Satin Finishing Is Applied?

Satin finishing can be applied to the house’s interior and exterior parts. Because it resists mildew and peeling off, it can be conveniently placed outside.

Also, using satin outdoors gives the house a shinier natural feel. The natural feel is because light reflection is minimal. For this reason, the house doesn’t look like it was placed but built.

Satin finishing applied on the inside should be in highly used places. Places like the bathroom and children’s room are applicable. Since children tend to design the calls a lot, satin is good since it can be wiped off easily. It’s also applied to windows and doors.

2. About Gloss Paint

Gloss’ interaction with light is of utmost importance. This is because gloss depends on light to shine. The lighter, the more the paint shines.

Gloss is a highly lustrous paint. It looks like glass when applied. This is because it uses a layer of oil to glow.

The glossier a paint, the higher its longevity. Glossy paints last long because it hardly peels or wears off. Gloss paints reflect a large amount of light. This helps light rooms with fewer lights.

Gloss Paint
Gloss Paint

Types of Gloss Paints

  • Partial Gloss Paint: This gloss paint is almost like satin finishing paint. It’s not so glossy. It has a gloss degree of about 50-60. The partial gloss paint is also durable. It has a less shiny surface compared to high gloss paint.
  • Increased Gloss Paint: This gloss paint has about 90 percent of glossiness. It’s very lustrous. It easily reflects light. This brightens dark rooms. Increased gloss paints are highly durable. This is because the higher the glossiness, the more efficient and fewer peels.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]It lasts for long periods. This lasting is because it resists moisture.
It is easy to clean and maintain.
It brightens a dim room.
It highlights the architecture’s imprints. This beautifies the house.[/i2pros][i2cons]When used outside, the house overshines. This tends to hide the real house color.
It doesn’t hide the mistakes of holes on the wall. It tends to magnify the defects instead.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

Where Is Gloss Finishing Paint Applied?

Gloss finishing paint is applied in frequently used areas. It will benefit areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and kids’ room. This is because it doesn’t hold moisture. It can also be cleaned easily. This helps to leave the kitchen and bathroom tidy.

Which Paint Is Best, Satin and Gloss?

Answering this will be like answering the difference between a wooden and a glass door. This is because both paints are durable. They both make the house attractive.

They also add color. Both paints depend on the house owner. If the house owner is not particular about the house’s exterior, gloss can be used. This is because gloss doesn’t distinguish the color.

Yellow Paint

Satin can also be used if the house owner wants a definite color. Both paint colors are great and useful. They are both used for rooms with high activities.

Satin and gloss paints are therefore recommended. The house owner must determine what he wants to see when looking at the house.

Wrap Up

Paints enhance a building’s attractiveness. They make a house stand out among all other buildings. Satin and gloss give the house variation. The paint’s benefits allow you to make a choice and know the differences.

See AlsoPVA Vs. Acrylic Paint

Randy CharlesProfessional Painter

Randy Charles is the owner of PaintCentric.com, a website dedicated to providing information, tips, tricks, and news about all things paint. With over 10 years of experience in the painting industry, Randy has become an expert in the field and is passionate about helping others learn more about painting. He has written numerous articles on the subject and is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information to his readers.

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