Which Sheen Is Most Typical For Exterior Paint?

Flat paint is a popular choice for novice DIY painters, as it is easy to apply and adhere well to surfaces. The most common sheens for exterior paint include flat, satin enamel, semi-gloss enamel, and hi-gloss enamel.

The exterior of a home is subjected to major stresses such as rain, snow, UV rays, and physical wear. Paint sheen is related to the paint’s strength and its ability to hold up against these stresses. Most exterior surfaces look best in a satin or eggshell finish, but matte paint can help hide blemishes on exterior surfaces. Durable gloss or semi-gloss finish are ideal for exterior trim that’s prone to fading.

Choosing the right exterior paint color and sheen is crucial for achieving a beautiful, long-lasting finish. The three most common sheens are matte, satin, and gloss, each with its own unique benefits. For exterior painting, the two most commonly used finishes are flat and satin.

Satin is the best paint sheen for exterior paint because it is not dull like a flat finish or too shiny like a high-gloss sheen. The recommended paint sheens for the exterior are satin/eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss. Eggshell paint is the most popular exterior paint finish for the body of a home because it isn’t dull like a flat finish or too shiny like a high-gloss sheen.

Types of sheens include flat, satin enamel, semi-gloss enamel, and hi-gloss enamel, each offering its own distinct benefits. The most common are flat, satin, and gloss, but some products also come in eggshell or semi-gloss.

In summary, choosing the right exterior paint sheen and finish is essential for achieving a beautiful, long-lasting look. The most common sheens for exterior paint are flat, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss, each offering a different level of shine and durability.

What is the most common exterior paint?

A survey by The Harris Poll and commissioned by Alside reveals that the majority of homeowners prefer a neutral color palette for their home’s exterior. The top five most popular siding colors for 2023 include off-white/cream, white, light gray, light brown, and medium blue. The farmhouse trend is driving more homeowners to choose white and light colors, while cost may also be a factor. As building material prices have risen, consumers may have gravitated towards lower cost options and away from premium colors.

Should exterior paint be flat or satin?

A satin finish is a popular choice for exteriors due to its pearl-like sheen, making it ideal for high-traffic areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and window trims. It is durable, easier to clean, and can highlight surface imperfections. Satin paint offers an aesthetic appeal with a soft, pearl-like sheen, making it more lustrous than a flat finish but less glossy than semi-gloss. It also makes colors appear richer and more vibrant, enhancing the overall look of the home.

What sheen of paint is most forgiving?

Flat paint is a forgiving finish with a high color payout, ideal for covering imperfections, patching, or joints. It absorbs light and has no sheen, but lacks durability and requires careful cleaning. It is most common in ceilings.

Matte paint is more durable and washable, covering imperfections and problem areas with easy touchups. It is the most common finish for walls in living spaces. Eggshell paints have a soft sheen and are suitable for frequently dirty walls with medium to high durability. They are not recommended for trim, windows, and doors. Eggshell walls can be washed down without harming the finish and are resistant to mildew and stains. They are commonly found in high-traffic areas like kids’ playrooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, mud rooms, and entryways. However, they tend to show imperfections more due to their higher gloss.

Does paint sheen matter?

Paint sheen is a measure of how much light a paint reflects, with higher sheens being shinier and lower sheens reflecting less light. Higher sheen paints have more enamel, making them more durable and easier to clean. Lower sheen paints have little to no glare and are easier to look at. Sheen can be a significant factor in a paint’s appearance, as it can amplify surface imperfections, make a surface flatter, or not provide enough durability.

Some sheens are easier to clean and can protect against moisture, mildew, and grime. Darker and richer paint colors have more colorant, boosting sheen. Lower sheen paints are best for hiding imperfections on large, sun-washed, or flawed surfaces.

What sheen do professional painters use?

Eggshell sheen is a popular choice for medium to low traffic areas, as it is easy to wash and conceal imperfections. It is the most common sheen for interior walls, making it a good middle ground between aesthetics and longevity. Eggshell is suitable for bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms.

Flat/Matte finishes are ideal for ceilings or smooth walls with blemishes, as they reflect less light and help hide imperfections. They are best used in areas that won’t require frequent abuse or scrubbing. Using flat paint on ceilings is recommended due to their uniform appearance and pleasing appearance. Traditionally, flat or matte finishes don’t clean up as well, but some manufacturers claim their newer low sheen paint formulas perform as well as higher sheen counterparts.

What sheen is best for exterior house paint?

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.

What is the most common paint sheen?

Eggshell finish is a popular wall paint with a low sheen and soft, smooth texture, which lends itself well to low- to mid-traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms, entryways, and family rooms.

What is the most common exterior finish?

The most prevalent exterior finish types in the United States are siding, stucco, and brick veneer.

What is the best paint sheen for exterior fascia?

The exterior trim of a house should have a satin or gloss finish, as a flat matt finish is considered too dull. To paint fascias and soffits, you need the right tools, such as a dust sheet, paint brush and roller, 120-grit sandpaper, suitable paint, primer (if needed), masking tape, and a stiff brush or scraper. Preparation is the most important aspect of any project, and it is essential to take time during the preparation stage to achieve the best results. The process of painting gutters and fascias requires the right tools and preparation.

Does satin exterior paint dull over time?

Satin/eggshell paints have unique strengths and considerations compared to flat finishes. They are rough but have an almost waxy feel, with a slight shine that gives the paint a lustre. Satin paints are more reflective than matte finishes and can hide imperfections. They are easy to wipe clean and more resistant to elements, making them generally last longer. However, they require more care than matte finishes, as the more shiny the paint, the more imperfections will stand out. Mixing the paint thoroughly before each session is essential to prevent resins and pigments from separating, resulting in uneven sheen.

High gloss paints are more reflective and resilient, but they are best for areas that will get a lot of wear, such as doors. They are also perfect for accenting features of your home, such as window frames or gutters. Painting the entire exterior with a rich, reflective high gloss paint is a bold design move, but it can highlight every imperfection if not properly done.

Is low sheen good for exterior paint?

Wattyl Solagard Low Sheen is a low-reflective finish suitable for cladding or rendering walls. It offers a slight sheen that conceals imperfections and facilitates thorough cleansing. This product strikes a balance between aesthetic appeal, dirt resistance, and flexibility.