When choosing a paint sheen for your exterior, consider the surface you are painting and the type of sheen you want. There are five different sheens: flat, satin enamel, semi-gloss enamel, and hi-gloss enamel. Each sheen offers its own benefits, with flat being the least durable and least recommended. Flat exterior paint sheen is ideal for masonry and creates a timeless look.
For exterior brick and trim, Sherwin Williams White Duck is recommended for flat. For exterior trim, the best sheen is any paint that’s glossers. For white trim, as much gloss as possible is recommended to help it shed dirt and provide good reflectivity. Semi-gloss is a moderately reflective, durable finish perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently, such as kitchens, bathrooms, utility areas, and closet doors.
Stain, eggshell, or matte are recommended for a more subtle, economical, and easy-to-apply finish. Semi-gloss paint is the best choice for trim work, as high-gloss paints highlight imperfections. Satin paint has a nice sheen and is ideal for exterior trim areas that are used or touched often. This highly durable, stretchy paint resists scratches and stains.
For exterior paint sheen and finish, we usually recommend satin or eggshell finish for home exteriors. For Sherwin Williams’ exterior products, a satin finish is recommended, while Benjamin Moore’s Aura offers a low-luster finish. By considering factors like the specific surface and desired look, you can choose the best paint sheen for your home.
📹 Which Exterior Paint Finish Should YOU Use? | Paint Sheens Explained
What is the best sheen for exterior fascia?
The best exterior paint sheen is any glosser paint, with flat being the least durable and least recommended. About 85 of our client’s homes have a satin finish, and trim is usually semi-gloss or satin. Sheen is the finish or luster of the paint, with different levels of glossiness affecting the overall look. Flat sheen is popular for hiding flaws on older houses or uneven surfaces, while satin is preferred for a subtle shine and is suitable for high-traffic areas. Understanding different types of sheen helps make wise decisions during painting.
What is best for exterior trim?
Wood trim is a popular choice for homeowners due to its natural beauty and versatility. However, it is susceptible to environmental damage, such as rot, warping, and insect infestation, which requires regular maintenance. PVC trim is a low-maintenance alternative, as it is impervious to rot, moisture, and insect damage. Its easy-to-clean surface and absence of painting or staining reduce upkeep efforts. However, some may find its appearance less appealing than natural wood, and its reaction to extreme temperature changes can pose challenges in fit and finish over time.
Fiber cement trim combines the benefits of durability and aesthetics, withstanding rot, termites, and fire, offering an impressive lifespan. It can mimic the look of wood, providing a low-maintenance option without sacrificing style. However, its weight and brittleness require professional installation and may require periodic painting to maintain its appearance. Overall, wood and fiber cement offer different options for homeowners looking to enhance their home’s exteriors.
What gloss level for exterior paint?
Semi-gloss paints are less shiny but still have a noticeable sheen level, making them popular for exterior trim, doors, and shutters. They are durable, easy to clean, and suitable for areas frequently touched or exposed to moisture. However, they can highlight surface imperfections. Satin paints have a subdued sheen level and are versatile, providing a smooth, elegant finish suitable for various surfaces. They are durable, easy to clean, and can help conceal surface imperfections.
Flat paints have no shine and are popular for painting the body of a home’s exterior, providing a smooth, uniform finish. They are easy to touch up and are generally less expensive than higher sheen level paints. However, flat paints are less durable and can show signs of wear and tear more quickly.
What paint to use on exterior trim?
Home builders often use wood for exterior trim moldings, so it’s essential to choose a premium gloss acrylic or oil paint. Medium-density fiberboard can be treated with high-quality latex gloss paint. Vinyl trim requires exterior gloss paint made for vinyl, and metal trim requires gloss paint for metal due to its rust-resistant properties. These paints protect your trim from deterioration.
Is satin too shiny for the exterior?
To achieve a glossy exterior paint finish, avoid using Sherwin Williams’ satin finish or Benjamin Moore’s Aura. These sheens are designed to provide protection and create a low-reflective finish, making them ideal for the exterior of your home. Eggshell paint is the most popular exterior paint finish, as it is not dull or shiny, making it suitable for various siding types.
A flat sheen may not provide added protection, potentially leading to premature paint failure and costing time and money. If you are concerned about the shine, consider Benjamin Moore’s Aura, which can be done in low luster. This option is slightly less shiny than Sherwin Williams satin, making it a worthwhile upgrade. However, the initial shine may fade over the first year or two, so it’s important to keep this in mind.
In summary, choosing the right exterior paint finish depends on your home’s needs and preferences. A satin finish from Sherwin Williams is recommended, while Benjamin Moore’s Aura is a low-luster option that may be worth upgrading to if shine is a concern.
What is the best sheen for white trim?
Designer-approved guidelines offer two paint finishes for everyday spaces: eggshell finish, suitable for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens, and semi-gloss finish, ideal for trims, cabinets, and doors in highly trafficked areas like mudrooms. Eggshell finish is more forgiving, durable, and easy to clean, while semi-gloss finish offers maximum durability, stain and scuff resistance, and is easier to clean. To choose the right paint color, refer to The 1 Secret to Choosing a Paint Color.
What sheen for exterior white?
The optimal exterior paint sheen is satin, as flat sheens are susceptible to color loss and damage. Semi-gloss sheens have been observed to become sticky and to possess an unpleasant texture. The application of satin sheen enhances the durability and retention of paint color without unduly affecting the texture. French Roast is one of the most optimal brown paint colors for domestic exterior applications. One of the most frequently asked questions in the field of exterior home maintenance is whether it is preferable to paint or stain wood siding.
Is gloss or satin better for exterior woodwork?
Satin paint is characterized by a low reflection coefficient, which renders it an effective coating for the concealment of imperfections on exterior surfaces. In contrast, high-gloss paint is more durable and can withstand frequent washing, rendering it an appropriate choice for frequently washed surfaces. Both paints are suitable for application to exterior surfaces.
What is the best sheen for exterior trim?
It is recommended that semi-gloss or high-gloss finishes be used for trim and doors due to their enhanced durability and ability to accentuate detail. Flat or matte finishes are optimal for concealing imperfections on uneven surfaces. Prior to the application of a new paint coat, it is essential to ensure that the surface has been adequately prepared, including the removal of paint from the exterior of the home.
What paint to use for white trim?
White Dove OC-17 is a popular choice for soft white trim paint due to its subtle warmth. This color adds character and depth to any space, making it eye-catching when paired with white or neutral walls. Painting the trim is an easy way to add a pop of color to your home without having to paint an entire wall. Consider pairing different colors for a colorful look that makes an impact.
Intricate crown moldings deserve to be a focal point in any room. To achieve this, consider using the same white paint color for the crown molding, ceiling, and trim. Apply the same paint color to the walls and crown molding for a modern, monochromatic look, but keep in mind it may hide the details of your crown molding. Add a distinctive accent color for the crown molding to draw attention to its detail, highlighting its elegance and visual appeal.
To paint trim, stock up on supplies, inspect the trim for any nicks or damage, prepare the surface, and apply the paint. Protect your walls by taping off the wall area adjacent to the trim. Start from the top and work down in this order: molding, window trim, door frames, and baseboards. Align the white trim paint color with the same undertone as your wall.
Benjamin Moore paint is suitable for use as trim paint, as there is no such thing as “trim paint”. Professional painters and DIYers alike love Advance ® Interior, as it cures to a hard, furniture-quality finish with outstanding coverage and hide. Engineered with Gennex ® Color Technology, Advance is available in all of Benjamin Moore’s 3, 500+ colors, making it a great choice for trim paint.
Choosing a white trim paint color depends on many factors, including lighting and undertones. For a goes-with-anything soft white trim paint color, White Dove OC-17 is a homeowner favorite because of its subtle touch of warmth. For bright, clean white trim, Chantilly Lace OC-65 and Super White OC-152 are top experts’ list of crisp white paint colors. To make sure you’re choosing the right hue, start with a color sample or ask for advice at your locally owned store.
Black trim against white walls is hugely popular for interiors and exteriors. Use Atrium White OC-145 on the walls and Onyx 2133-10 on the trim or go for a monochromatic cool color scheme with Crystalline AF-485 on the walls and Cushing Green HC-125 on the trim.
Is semi gloss or low sheen better for trim?
Wattyl Solagard Low Sheen provides an optimal balance between aesthetic appeal, dirt resistance, and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for wood trim and coastal environments. The addition of a satin finish enhances the durability and washability of the coating, rendering it an optimal selection for wood trim applications.
📹 Color Handbook Sheen | Benjamin Moore
Add a subtle design element to your space by giving some thought to paint finishes. Learn more about different levels of sheen …
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