Gloss (paint)
Paint and other finishes come in a variety of finish gloss levels, which correspond to different levels of specular reflection.
Some common names for levels of gloss include: flat, matte, eggshell, satin, silk, semi-gloss, high gloss. These terms are not standardized, and not all manufacturers use all these terms.
Gloss level and sheen level are terms that are often used interchangeably. Note that the gloss level of paint can also affect its apparent colour.
Gloss level can be characterized by the angular distribution of light scattered from a surface, measured with goniophotometry, but there are various ways of measuring this, and different industries have different standards.
One manufacturer measures gloss as percentages (at an unspecified angle) and gives:
- Flat (1–9% gloss)
- Low Sheen (10–25% gloss)
- Eggshell (26–40% gloss)
- Semi Gloss (41–69% gloss)
- Gloss (70–89% gloss)
Read more about Gloss (paint): Painting, Maintenance, Uses, Bibliography
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