The paint sheen you choose plays a big part in both the appearance of your exterior and its durability. Learn about sheens to make sure you’re getting the most out of your paint and your money!

The exterior of your home faces major stresses like rain, snow, UV rays and physical wear. Finding the best sheen for your needs will save you from having to repaint in the long run.

Flat

Flat paint is great if you are going for a modern look on fiber cement or masonry siding and it works really well with brick. It is hard to clean though and it fades and wears faster than a shinier finish.

Satin or eggshell is our most popular choice for exterior paint. It has a little bit of sheen and is easy to clean but holds up better against fading or mildew problems than a flat paint. It’s also very durable for the Treasure Valley climate and can stand up to a lot of weathering.

The sheen in satin or eggshell paint helps hide imperfections in the surface of the wall or trim that you are painting. It also highlights architectural details and is a good choice for the doors and trim on your home.

Glossy paint is excellent for highlighting accent trim and door or window frames but it doesn’t hold up as well against fading or mildew as a satin or eggshell sheen. It is not recommended for walls or large areas of your home.

Satin

Choosing the right sheen is just as important as picking the right paint color. The right sheen will protect the paint from UV rays and make it easier to clean and resist dirt and moisture. The sheen also helps hide surface imperfections. There are a few different sheen levels: flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss.

Flat paint has the lowest sheen of all the options. It looks luxurious and is perfect for walls that will get smudgeed frequently. It is easy to touch up and can help conceal minor surface imperfections. However, it is not durable and will require frequent repainting compared to other sheens.

Eggshell is a bit more durable than flat but not as glossy as satin. It is a popular choice for doors, trim, and shutters. It is more durable than satin and holds up well to smudges and moisture. It will need to be repainted more often than other sheens but is still the best choice for areas that will need to be washed.

Satin has a small amount of sheen and is the most common exterior sheen. Most factory finished siding products ranging from fiber cement and cedar shake to vinyl and Azek come in a satin finish. It is a great option for walls and doorways as it has just enough sheen to be easily cleaned and protected from the sun’s UV rays.

Semi-Gloss

In the Boise area we have a lot of sunshine that can damage exterior paint with UV rays. Finding the right sheen will help protect your home and make it last longer so you don’t have to repaint as often. Choosing the proper sheen for trim, doors and shutters is just as important as selecting the correct color.

Paint sheen has a big impact on how well it holds up to moisture, dirt, cleaning and the overall appearance. There are four different sheens that professional painters use on exterior surfaces and each works best on specific types of materials and styles of homes.

Satin/Eggshell is a versatile sheen that’s good for walls that get washed and also for the more durable surfaces like trim, shutters and window frames. The slight sheen makes it easier to clean and stand up to the elements.

Semi-Gloss is a shinier finish that’s great for high traffic areas like door and trim details. It’s also easy to clean and is more water resistant than satin or eggshell. We don’t recommend gloss for siding as it magnifies surface imperfections and can be difficult to touch up.

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