There is this rule of thumb you should follow when choosing paint sheens; The higher the sheen, the higher the shine - and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be. 

All is very true, and each room has a specific "parameter," you could say, of the type of paint you should choose. For example, washable walls in bathrooms and kitchens, vibrant walls in entry ways and living space, and durable, easy to clean walls in playrooms and hallways.

What most people to know know and SHOULD now is that it is so important that your sheetrock be able to stand the test of time for these paint sheens. What do I mean by that?

First, you need to know the levels of paint sheens. Flat paint has no shine and high-gloss is all shiny-shine. And in between these are eggshell, satin, semi-gloss: each with its very own characteristics of practicality and aesthetics. 

So what does this have to do with sheetrock?

According to Gypsum Association, "Proper products and techniques for painting Gypsum board [sheetrock] must be used to attain a quality of level of finish on interior surfaces. A variety of factors in the painting process affect the creating of a pleasing finish".

Obviously, these factors can vary greatly and can go into endless detail, so I will touch base to these here; but check out this link to find out more!

https://www.pabcogypsum.com/sites/default/files/GA-232-04.pdf

The proper levels of gypsum board finish should be specified before painting. This selected level of finish varies with the final decoration to be applied: the location of the surface within the interior of the building, type of and able of both natural and artificial lighting expected, and then of course, PAINT! 

Here is a slight summary to better understand the difference between the recommended levels of gypsum board. 

Level 4 finish (Gypsum board) is the minimum standard, and most common for residential applications, of a drywall finish. The gypsum board is applied, mudded where joints, screw sets, and corners are visible, and them primed with a minimum of one coat of good quality drywall primer. This primer's purpose is to equalize the absorption between the gypsum board face paper, the joint compound, and skim coating materials, so that subsequent paint will adhere evenly.

Here's the trick, which many contractors, designers, etc. may not know or quite frankly avoid. The number of coats of primer depends on your paint finish and all the categories listed above like, lighting, angles, etc. 

Even more, remember when I mentioned that the mud is applied at the joints of the gypsum board and corners? When you apply a high sheen of paint, let's say high-gloss, one of its biggest characteristics is that it reflects light rather than absorbing... So yep, you guessed it. Where all of those joints and corners are that you "mudded", you will most likely see every single detail! In addition, s higher sheen will accentuate every imperfection in the sheetrock itself.

This leads us to a Level 5 finish, which should be applied to any sheen higher than flat finish. In this process, the entire wall of gypsum board is "mudded" to create an overall cohesive barrier between the primer and face paper. 

Many contractors and designers do not apply this method of use, but I would highly recommend you research and learn more about it. In the long run, it creates a higher quality of finish in you home. Level 5 is more expensive, but doesn't it make sense to spend the money on a cohesive look on your walls than to apply and apply and apply paint to hide its imperfections?

We think so. Level 5 finishes important to us as designers. We strive to create high quality finishes in homes and products where homeowners are exceptionally happy with the end result. Not just in the weeks following a complete remodel, but in the years of wear and tear of the home. 

Check out our blog about paint finishes and what sheen should be applied to which room! Level 5 doesn't have to go everywhere, but we highly recommend it wherever a high sheen paint is desired.

Paint sheen varies from flat to high gloss and each sheen has its own characteristics - as does each room in your home. Let's play matchmaker and find the perfect sheen for the rooms in your home. 

High Gloss

• The most durable and easiest to clean
• hard, ultra shiny, and light reflecting
• Where to use:
  • a great choice where sticky fingers come into play; think kitchen cabinets, trim, and doors. 
  • However, high gloss is too much shine for walls. Think about spandex: shows every bump and roll there is. If you do choose high gloss for walls (and the higher sheens: semi-gloss, satin, eggshell) don't skip on your prep work! Read our blog about drywall finish!

Semi-gloss

• Great choice for rooms with moisture! Think of a long hot steam shower or Grandma's fried chicken recipe. Also, semi-gloss works great for trim that takes a lot of abuse. We all grab tightly to that trim when swinging around the corner of the house. 
• high durability
• Where to use:
  • kitchens
  • bathrooms
  • chair rails
  • trim

Satin

• Despite the name, this finish has a velvety texture. It is a beautiful paint to use in showpiece rooms like your foyer, family room, hallways, etc. 
• Easy to clean and works great for high traffic areas
• Biggest flaw: it reveals every paint stroke and application, so touch-ups can be tricky. Also, satin requires a higher level of sheetrock finish. 
• Where to use: 
  • family rooms
  • foyers
  • hallways
  • kids' bedrooms

Eggshell

• Between satin and flat sheen is eggshell, named for its flat finish with very little luster - literally, a chicken eggshell. 
• medium durability, but covers wall imperfections well
• This product is great for rooms with little traffic areas:
  • dining rooms
  • living rooms

Flat

• If you have a wall with ugly imperfections and looking for a paint to cover everything up, then choose flat.
• lat hides all imperfections because the sheen soaks up light rather than reflecting.
• Most pigmented, and provides the most coverage. Think full coverage makeup foundation.
• Biggest issue: flat sheen paint is really tough to clean. Get something on the wall, and you can count on wiping the paint off when you clean it. 
• Where to use: 
  • adult bedrooms
  • any rooms that don't have potential for a child's beautiful Crayola artwork or spaghetti fingers

A Few Tips: 

• Dark and rich paint color requires a high sheen, but with a high sheen comes a shiny effect. If you don't want the shiny effect, set[ down at least one level of sheen. A darker, more rich color will only enhance the sheen. 
• The higher the sheen, the more defects will show
• The higher the sheen, the higher the cost