What is Sheen?
Sheen refers to the how shiny the finish will look when the paint is dry. When deciding on sheen you will want to consider how high/low the traffic is in a room and the condition of the walls. Today, many super-premium products, such as Benjamin Moore's Aura® paint, offer the same durability and washability in all sheens, so the selection of the finish is depends on your personal preference.
Flat/Matte
The look of a flat or matte provides great depth of color that is also ideal for less-than-perfect surfaces. Flat is typically used for ceilings and low traffic areas.
Eggshell & Satin
The slight sheens of eggshell and satin reveal color with a softly polished glow with an easy-to-clean surface that's great for all high-traffic areas including living rooms and hallways. This is also a great finish for colored ceilings to help reflect some light onto the color.
Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss is particularly durable and stands up well to repeated cleanings. It is often recommended for moldings and trim.
FERNANDES TIP: The higher the gloss of your wall paint, the more it will show imperfections. If you own an older home in which the walls have been patched multiple times, or a home that has a lot of high walls with a lot of natural light, you may want to use a flat or matte paint. This is also true for the exterior of your home.
