Satin vs Gloss: What are The Key Differences?

Multiple finishes, varnishes, paints, and stain are present in the market. Each one has different types and categories.

They also come in different color ranges like flat, matte, satin, gloss, high gloss, and semi-gloss. It is important to know what each term represents before selecting a color for your home.

Finding the right color of paint can be a very hard job. But proper knowledge of paints color and the sheen present in it will make your selection very easy.

Sheen will indicate the color shine of the paint. Now If I am right- you are wondering about what is sheen and how I will measure this thing in paint!

Sheen can be simply measured by knowing how much paint will glow and what amount of binder is present in it.

Paint containing more binder will have more sheen in it like a high gloss and lower binder containing finishes will have less sheen in it like flat paints.

Don't worry more and read the following comparison between two popular finishes, satin vs gloss.

Why Choose the Right One between gloss and satin?

Satin and gloss finish give beautiful colors and protection to a surface. They differ because of chemicals and binders’ proportion in them. Some prefer to choose satin paint and some prefer to select a gloss look. It completely depends on your preference.

Other than color choice, there are some factors to take notice of before selecting one. Like how transparent finish you want or which type of color shade you are expecting. Which part of your home you are planning to paint? Durability and brightness of a color.

For the sake of all the above-mentioned reasons, it is important to choose the right one. We are going to discuss the characteristics and differences of both gloss and satin pants.

What is Satin?

We suggest going with your preference and what suits your home best. But one main thing to keep in mind is that a gloss touch will never hide or cover anything and satin will hide imperfections or scraps very well. Follow this one rule and attain your desired results.

Satin products have a very mild sheen in it and are less reflective of light. Sheen is the glossiness of a material. A sheen in any paint product can be measured by the ratio of binder to color pigments. Paint binder is an adhesive that binds the paint to a surface after drying.

More quantity of binder in paints will produce a glossier look. Satin contains less quantity of binder in it and some grains of color become exposed to the outside. This will scatter the light on the surface and will provide a less shiny look.

A satin product has a smooth silky touch. It has also strong durability which means that satin paint products do not easily weaken even by harsh regular clean-up. They also have strong resistance against mold and are widely used to paint outdoor things like sidings, shutters, and trims.

Satins are commonly used for frequently used rooms such as hallways, bedrooms, living rooms, and bedrooms. A big disadvantage of satin products is that they do not cover cracks or badly patched spots well due to low reflectivity.

However, satins present a shinier look than other paints like "flat" and "matte". They are famous to bring a warm and deep look to your wall with a little bit of shine. Satin paints mostly contain chemicals like water, tithan, calgum, color, P.V.A, texanol, nitrosol, ammonia, and antifungal.

Below are some of the pros and cons of using a satin product.

Pros

• Simple and Easy Maintenance
• Highly Durable
• Slight Shine

Cons

• Difficult application

What is Gloss?

Polyurethane is often used for floors to give them highly durable coating. The main difference between a satin and gloss polyurethane depends on the gloss present in it. Satin urethanes have smoother adhesive and give a velvety look while a glossy urethane has strong and high shine in it.

1. Appearance

A gloss polyurethane gives more luster to a wooden floor than a satin polyurethane finish. It is because of more shine in gloss paint and reflects more light. A gloss ploy-urethane will appear denser and darker than satin.

However, gloss polyurethanes do not hide imperfections very well and are not recommended for a repaired surface. If you want to hide a flawed surface or floor with paint, always go for satin polyurethane. Satin polyurethane gives a glass and mirror-like reflection.

2. Durability

When it comes to polyurethanes, both gloss and satin provide good resistance. Nevertheless, a slight difference against humidity resistance is present. This factor also depends on the choice of water-based and oil-based polyurethanes. The oil-based gloss has high durability than water-based polyurethane.

Satin polyurethane is less durable in high moisture and is not recommended for outside of the house. Semi-gloss contains strong bonding and attach the paint to a surface with more strength. It resists mold and dampness more than satin.

It is easier to clean dirt from a gloss than satin polyurethane. Still, Polyurethane hides scratches, dirt, and scuffs on a floor whereas gloss doesn't.

3. Furniture Type

Gloss polyurethane will always give a dramatic look to your wooden floor or other furniture. A satin one provides a more typical and modern look. However, using both with compatible contrast, you can create a highly demandable and trendy look.

High gloss polyurethane will drive you mad if you are planning to use it on hardwood floors or if you have pets in your home. However, with an exotic hardwood floor and or with a flooring border, it displays a charming color. Try to not use it on the floor with high foot traffic or small children running around.

If your furniture has lots of patterns and designs, try an oil-based satin or matte polyurethane. This also works well with bold and decorative designs. If there is a lot of natural light coming in your room or hall, satin polyurethane will present just a perfectly balanced look.

Similarly, to avoid extra shine and brightness use satin polyurethane while painting your wooden floor where a lot of natural light is present.

Satin vs. Gloss Varnish

Choosing the right varnish is very important while selecting between satin and gloss varnish finish. Let's compare them in detail

1. Function

Varnishes are best for interiors and exteriors of wooden furniture where a natural look is required. Satin is slightly reflective finishes and provides a flattering look than a shiny one. Though they can be shinier by adding more coats of finish but cannot compete for the brightness and glass mirror look of gloss varnish.

Gloss varnishes are used for exterior furniture and to paint borders and outlines of designs to add a luxurious look. Painting walls and furniture with gloss will give a bold natural look to your house.

However, a gloss varnish can never give a perfect look while satin varnish properly hides any damaged surface and other imperfections.

2. Gloss

Gloss describes luster content in a varnish. As you already have an idea that gloss provides more luster to a surface as compared to satin varnish.

Often varnishes are glossy but by adding flatting agents, they become a good satin varnish. Varnishes are designed to give a colorless look and it doesn't depend on what type of varnish you are using.

It just only differentiates between a clearer look and a little dull look.

Clear satin vs Clear gloss

Both clear satin and clear gloss will provide a very graceful look. If you are stuck between the two it is important to know what are the differences between the two.

1. Glossiness

Sheen in the painting also represents resistance to it. A clear gloss will be more resistant to any stain than a non-glossy or a clear satin one. Due to the high sheen of a gloss, it is very easy to clean and wash. Clear satin requires more a little more effort for cleaning.

This is the reason that clear gloss paints are highly useful in kitchens, bathrooms, and children's rooms. They are also the best choice for outstanding entrance.

Sheen is the way that light reflects. In clear glossy products, the sheen is very high and reflects light like a clean mirror. This is the reason that the same color will look darker in a clear gloss and a light shade for a clear satin product.

2. Durable

It is obvious that the higher the sheen, the easier the cleaning of any mess. It can revolve around fingerprints or any kind of smudge. As a glossy surface will be slicker, it will be easy to clean with a damp cloth.

If you have dents in your walls then clear satin will cover it good. So, if you want to divert attention from a specific portion of the wall having blemishes, select clear satin. It happens because satin is smoother and more suitable over the flawed outside as it tricks the person to see an even surface.

3. Price

The price difference is very less between a clear gloss and clear satin paint products. However, gloss products are manufactured by a higher content of the binder in it and thus is a little bit costly than satin.

But if you are limited on budget and are looking for suitable and cheap paint to add elegance to walls, select satin. They are budget-friendly and have good durability too. If more light and brightness is required on walls and floors, buy clear gloss paint.

Conclusion

Whether you are painting something very new or painting a repaired surface, knowing the difference between different levels of sheens is important.

The above comparison about the difference between satin and gloss will surely help you to choose the right one between two. For a better look, it is suggested to always apply at least two coats of both finishes.