While satin is slightly more reflective than eggshell or matte finishes, low,  or semi-gloss, paints have a much more noticeable sheen, making them highly durable, and clean off more easily. Even though they are reflective, they still don’t offer the reflectivity of a high-gloss application. Semi-gloss paints have a reflectivity of about 35 to 70 percent and can range greatly.

  • When Should You Use Low-Gloss Paint? If you are having trouble deciding if low-gloss is right for you, consider both the texture of the walls and the purpose of the room. Low-gloss paints are very durable and are ideally suited to very high-traffic areas of the home. They also provide better resistance to stains and damage. However, because of their higher reflectivity, you will be unable to hide imperfections in the wall.
  • Where Should You Use Low-Gloss Paint?Low-gloss paints can be used in a variety of spaces, including on doors, windows, trim work, molding, in hallways, bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and even cabinets. Due to their higher durability, they can also be utilized both indoors and outdoors. They are also ideally suited to areas that will experience water, soap, dirt or grease, and can be wiped clean with ease.