Soft Sheen Paint

What Is Soft Sheen Paint?

Paint comes in a range of finishes that vary in terms of level of sheen including matt, eggshell, satin, silk, soft sheen and gloss. This sheen refers to the level of reflection the paint has with the higher the sheen, the more light it reflects. The other variable when it comes to sheen is durability, as with more sheen comes higher durability against scuffs and marks.

• Matt - the 'flattest' finish of paint which is perfect for covering imperfections on walls, although it has low durability, which is why it is used on walls & ceilings in low-traffic rooms
• Eggshell - with the same sheen as an egg, eggshell is perfect for a slightly higher sheen than matt with more durability
• Soft Sheen - a mid-sheen finish with a slightly more subtle 'shine' than silk, ideal for interior walls & ceilings, including high condensation rooms such as bathrooms
• Satin - a mid-sheen finish that is most often used solely on woodwork & metal such as skirting boards & doors
• Silk - a mid-sheen finish that is traditionally used on interior walls & ceilings
• Gloss - the highest sheen of paint, most commonly used on woodwork & metal

Traditionally it is a choice between matt, eggshell & silk when it comes to interior & ceilings. Satin and gloss is usually reserved for woodwork and metal, as well as oil-based versions of eggshell as oil-based paints are used on wood & metal. The general rule of thumb is to only use water-based paints on interior walls, which is why soft sheen is usually a water-based emulsion.

Soft sheen paint is ideal for any interior wall & ceiling, especially in higher traffic rooms such as hallways & in high condensation rooms such as bathrooms & kitchens. It offers a higher sheen finish than matt or eggshell, while offering a slightly more subtle finish than silk. It is often preferred to silk as it provides the durability required for these more demanding rooms while providing a stylish finish.

How Many Coats of Soft Sheen Paint Is Required?

Like the majority of paints, soft sheen paint usually requires two-coats of paint, especially if you use a high-quality trade paint. Lower quality paints may require three coats to fully coat the surface.

Can You Paint Soft Sheen Over Matt?

Painting a higher sheen paint is not a problem, which means you can easily coat a soft sheen over matt. The problem occurs when trying to paint a matt over the top of a gloss or satin, in which case it won't stick. These high gloss finishes must be sanded down lightly to help paint adhere.

Having said this, as a paint designed for interior walls & ceilings, you should not encounter this problem with soft-sheen paint.

Is Soft Sheen Paint Washable?

Due to the sheen level of soft sheen, it can be washed and wiped using a sponge, masking it easy to scrub off marks without causing damage to the paint film. This makes it ideal for those higher-traffic rooms such as hallways and children's bedrooms that are likely to require consistent cleaning.

Why not view our full range of wipeable & washable paints?

Can Soft Sheen Be Used In Kitchens or Bathrooms?

Some paint manufacturers recommend using their eggshell emulsion instead of soft sheen when it comes to high condensation rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms. Having said this, soft sheen finishes can generally withstand higher levels of condensation, like silk and eggshell, or durable matt emulsions.

Soft Sheen Paint Colours

Soft sheen paint is available is available in base colours such as magnolia & brilliant white, while & also being available in a tinted colours version that can be mixed in almost any colour with the paint mixing service here at Painters World. All you have to do to get a soft sheen paint of your choice in a colour of your choice is to type the name of the shade you would like or select one from our RAL & British Standard colours. If you don't find a shade you are looking for, we can also mix equivalent shades of all major manufacturers. Just tell us the shade and we do the rest!

Why not go for a hugely popular, modern anthracite grey, or go bold with a dark green such as moss green, that creates a beautiful calm atmosphere that is perfect for living rooms.

Where To Buy Soft Sheen Paint

Here at Painters World we stock a wide range of trade paint, including soft sheen, plus all off the decorating supplies you need to get decorating. We also stock a huge number of paint brushes, rollers & decorating supplies, so you can get everything you need in one place. We offer FREE next working day delivery on all orders over £50, so what are you waiting for?