The difference is in the details
Satin and semi-gloss are different sheens that can be applied to paint.
Semi-gloss paint is better suited to trim, doors, and cabinets as it offers more durability and is easier to clean.
Satin paint reflects less light, hides imperfections better, and is the glossiest paint most pros will use to cover walls.
As you shop for interior house paint, you'll encounter many paint finishes, including satin and semi-gloss. Not every paint finish is suited for use on every surface, and it helps to know the differences so you can make the best choice for your project. Learn more in this guide as we discuss satin vs. semi-gloss paint.
Satin and semi-gloss are paint finishes that sit side-by-side on the sheen spectrum. Semi-gloss finish is slightly more reflective than satin since it contains more resins, called binders. Binders also make semi-gloss paint more durable, but it’s reflective enough to be reserved for detail work rather than walls. Satin is the glossiest paint most painting pros ever use on walls.
Satin paint has a moderate sheen that reflects some light but less than semi-gloss or high-gloss paint. It’s often used as a kitchen or bathroom paint since it’s more durable and easier to clean than low-gloss matte and eggshell finishes. However, it doesn’t hide scrapes, scuffs, divots, or other blemishes as well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Higher durability than other wall paints | Reflective enough to show imperfections |
| Stands up to frequent cleaning | Less durable than semi-gloss |
| Costs less than semi-gloss | Flatter appearance than semi-gloss |
Best for:
High-traffic or moisture-prone areas
Kitchens and bathrooms
Interior walls
Satin is the most reflective paint finish typically used for walls. It contains more binders, which give it higher durability than lower-gloss options such as matte or eggshell. It can also take more wear and tear since it's easier to clean when needed, making it a solid choice for high-traffic areas in the home like kitchens or bathrooms.
Paints with a higher sheen level tend to cost more on average than lower-gloss paints of the same quality, so expect to spend less on satin paint than you would on semi-gloss.
Despite being better at hiding imperfections than semi-gloss paint, a satin finish is still reflective enough that pockmarks, divots, scrapes, scuffs, and other blemishes are still relatively easy to spot. It also has a flatter appearance than semi-gloss paint, so some homeowners may find that it doesn't lean far enough in either direction for their tastes.
Satin paint also may be easy to clean relative to other popular wall paint finishes, but it isn't as durable as semi-gloss paint. This means it can't handle as much wear and might not be as well-suited for use as paint for trim and other detail work.
Semi-gloss paint has a high sheen second only to glossy finishes. It's rarely used on walls because it highlights blemishes and brushstrokes. Instead, you’ll spot it on doors, trim, and accents.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Higher sheen shows off details | Too shiny for use on walls |
| Highly durable and easy to clean | Highlights imperfections |
| Slick surface resists moisture | May make colors look darker than expected |
Best for:
High-impact areas such as doors and baseboards
High-traffic areas that need frequent cleaning
Children’s bedrooms and playrooms
Furniture, cabinetry, mantels, casings, and trim
Semi-gloss paint has a higher sheen than satin, so it's great for showing off the finer details in a room. This higher sheen also creates a slicker surface that makes it moisture-resistant, so cleaning is much simpler. For example, if a young child draws on a semi-gloss surface, that surface can handle being wiped down frequently without wearing away the paint.
Paints with a higher sheen are more durable, so semi-gloss paint is ideal in high-impact areas. Some examples include doors and cabinets that are in constant use and trim or baseboards that may see a lot more dirt and scuffs from foot traffic.
Because semi-gloss paint is on the glossier end of the paint finish spectrum, it's often deemed too shiny for most interior walls. Its highly reflective surface highlights imperfections and brushstrokes.
Another consequence of reflecting more light is that paint colors in semi-gloss paint often appear darker than you might expect. Factor this in when deciding the colors you want to use in your space.
Read on as we break down the specific differences between satin and semi-gloss paint to help you choose the best one for your project.
This comes down to personal preference. Semi-gloss paint reflects more light, which can help the small details in your home shine, highlighting millwork, trim, and more. However, satin paint is better suited to walls since its lower reflectivity does more to mask imperfections.
More sheen means more durability. As such, semi-gloss paint offers better durability than satin paint. It can take a lot more wear and tear over its life span.
Higher gloss tends to correlate with higher costs, so satin paint costs less than semi-gloss paint on average. However, the cost difference is minimal and likely won't affect your decision, especially since the two finishes are suited to different surface types.
While satin paint has enough resin to withstand frequent cleaning, it still can't compete with semi-gloss for easy maintenance. Semi-gloss paint has a slicker surface that resists moisture. It can be scrubbed repeatedly to remove all kinds of dirt, scuffs, and markings resulting from daily life.
The lower sheen level means satin paint has a smoother texture than semi-gloss. When applied improperly, the resins and urethanes in semi-gloss produce a slightly tacky feel that can lead to an “orange peel” look. Avoid this result by hiring a local interior painter or using a high-quality roller.
