Interior vs Exterior Paint: Choosing the Right Option for Your Project
Insights
Paint Sheen Level: Low Sheen vs Semi Gloss
When choosing the type of paint for your job, there is more involved than just choosing colours. Different paint sheen levels and standards need to be selected to ensure the desired effect is achieved.
There are 5 different options when it comes to choosing your paint gloss levels. Basically, this means the level of shine or gloss you will get out of the paint with reference to its reflective power, cleanability, durability, and how it handles surface imperfections.
Starting from low sheen vs matte all the way up to the highest gloss, these are your options for Paint Sheen Levels:
Flat Paint
Flat paint, sometimes called flat matte, is typically recommended for gyprock and fibro ceilings. Avoid flat paint in mould-prone areas, woodwork or areas that will be regularly touched. The lower the sheen level, the easier it is to hide surface imperfections, because flat paint provides minimal light reflection. Flat paint is ideal for dark feature walls as it brings out the true colour with minimal light reflection, giving a smooth, understated look.
What is Low Sheen Paint used for?
Low sheen paints are the most commonly used paint type for interior walls due to their combined properties of cleanliness, durability and the ability to hide imperfections. They have a sheen level that offers a slightly glossy appearance without being overpowering. Architects typically prefer low sheen on exteriors because of these combined properties. Low sheen is also becoming popular on VJ ceilings, where a velvety finish is desired or in a building’s wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries.
What is Semi Gloss Paint used for?
Semi gloss finishes are ideal for interior wet areas such as the kitchen, laundry, bathroom and toilet. This is due to its cleanability, and it is easier to remove mould and mildew as semi gloss paint is less porous and therefore more moisture resistant. Exterior use is common for guttering and trims as it is not a high sheen level but has high washability. Colour bond products are typically semi gloss in their sheen level, so this is the sheen to use when matching prefabricated or colourbond products such as roofs, gutters and downpipes.
Gloss Paint Uses
Gloss paint has a “wet look” and is left for the skirting or trims, including windows and doors and any woodwork in general. Higher gloss paints are used on trims, doors, and windows. Gloss paint provides a noticeable shine and is highly durable and easy to clean. Its high reflectivity highlights angles, curves, and detailed woodwork. However, using higher gloss paints can make surface imperfections more visible, so careful preparation is essential. Gloss paints are best suited to areas where the right paint sheen can showcase architectural features while managing wear and tear.
High Gloss Paint
The only way to achieve truly higher sheen paints or high gloss paints is with enamel. Acrylic (water-based) paints cannot reach this level. High gloss provides the most light, giving a brilliant reflective effect and enhancing the depth of colour. However, it is not always suitable for large wall areas due to the way it emphasises surface imperfections and makes frequent cleaning more noticeable.
Learn more about acrylic vs enamel paint.
Choosing the Right Sheen
Ultimately, choosing the correct sheen comes down to personal preference, lighting and function. Consider how much light the room receives and the desired effect, whether it’s a subtle, slight sheen or more light and brightness with high gloss. Using the right paint sheen in each space ensures durability, cleanability and a professional finish.
Flat and low sheen are excellent for hiding surface imperfections and creating a smooth backdrop, while higher gloss paints can highlight details, withstand wear and tear, all while handling frequent cleaning. Balancing paint finish with functionality and aesthetics is the key to achieving a perfect paint job every time.
This table below helps summarise each Paint Sheen Level’s key attributes:
| Sheen Level | Gloss Percentage | Example Areas | Cleanability
(1 = difficult, 5 = easy) |
Reflectivity
(1 = none, 5 = high) |
| Flat | 1-9% | Ceilings, dark feature walls | 1 | 1 |
| Low Sheen | 10-25% | Interior & exterior walls | 3 | 3 |
| Semi Gloss | 41-69% | Kitchen, laundry, bathroom, toilet, exterior trims | 4 | 4 |
| Gloss | 70-80% | Trims, doors, windows | 5 | 5 |
Low Sheen or Semi Gloss for Exterior Surfaces?
When it comes to painting the exterior of your home, choosing the right paint sheen is just as important as selecting the right colour. Both low sheen and semi gloss finishes are popular options, but they serve slightly different purposes depending on the surface and exposure.
Low sheen paints are ideal for larger exterior walls where you want a smooth, subtle finish that hides surface imperfections. Their slight sheen reflects minimal light, giving walls a soft, even appearance while still offering reasonable durability. This makes them an excellent choice for facades, feature walls, or areas with minor flaws that you don’t want to draw attention to. Low sheen is also forgiving when it comes to application, helping homeowners achieve a professional finish even on textured surfaces.
On the other hand, semi gloss finishes are better suited for exterior trims, guttering, window sashes, doors and other high-traffic areas. Semi gloss is durable and easy to clean, able to withstand frequent cleaning and the wear and tear that comes with outdoor exposure. Its slightly glossy appearance provides a noticeable shine that highlights architectural features, creating a crisp, polished look. Semi gloss also reflects more light than low sheen, which can brighten shaded areas and give your home a subtle, eye-catching finish.
Ready to Choose the Right Paint Sheen?
At ROCHELE®, our painting experts can advise on the right paint sheen for your walls, trims and ceilings. Whether you want a velvety finish, a slightly glossy appearance, or high gloss for trims and doors, we ensure your painted space is beautiful, functional and long-lasting.
Finally, it’s important to note that ultimately, sheen level comes down to personal preference. At ROCHELE® if a customer has their heart set on something, then we do everything we can to accommodate.
In ROCHELE®’s 50 years, there have only been 2 cases where a customer has specifically requested the entire house (walls, ceilings, doors) to be painted in high gloss. Although this is uncommon and not recommended, we were surprised at the outcome, and the customers were extremely happy with the shiny result.
