About Exterior Paint Sheens

Set the right curb appeal with exterior painting efforts that last.

Finding the best colour or product is the first step to your exterior painting project, but finding the right sheen is step two. Choosing the proper sheen for different outdoor surfaces will help you create a beautiful look and get the most from your paint. Visit the Colour Center at your local Home Depot for more tips on choosing the right sheen for your project.

Flat

A flat sheen is non-reflective, and easy to apply and touch up. It will minimize the appearance of minor surface imperfections.

Applications:
Wood and vinyl walls and siding; brick and other masonry; fences
Durability:
Medium-Low
Product(s):
MARQUEE® Exterior Flat BEHR ULTRA™ Exterior Flat PREMIUM PLUS® Exterior Flat

Satin Enamel

A satin enamel sheen creates a pearl-like finish that's durable and dirt-resistant. It will also resist moisture, fading and stains.

Applications:
Virtually all exterior surfaces
Durability:
Medium-High
Product(s):
MARQUEE® Exterior Satin Enamel BEHR ULTRA™ Exterior Satin Enamel PREMIUM PLUS® Exterior Satin Enamel

Semi-Gloss Enamel

A semi-gloss enamel sheen is sleek and radiant with a hard, durable finish. It is formulated to withstand wear, and will also resist moisture, fading and stains.

Applications:
Doors, trim and shutters; Exterior furniture
Durability:
High
Product(s):
MARQUEE® Exterior Semi-Gloss Enamel BEHR ULTRA™ Exterior Semi-Gloss Enamel PREMIUM PLUS® Exterior Semi-Gloss Enamel

Hi-Gloss Enamel

Hi-Gloss enamel sheen have a brilliant, shiny appearance and a durable, glass-like finish that allows dirt and grime to be wiped clean.

Applications:
High-use surfaces
Durability:
High
Product(s):
PREMIUM PLUS® Interior/Exterior Hi-Gloss Enamel

Exterior Sheen Usage Chart

Use this chart to help you easily choose the best sheen of paint for your upcoming exterior paint projects.

Project	Flat	Satin Enamel	Semi-Gloss Enamel	Hi-Gloss Enamel
Wood	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Vinyl	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Aluminum	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Fiber Cement Siding	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Metals	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Brick	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Masonry	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Stucco	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Steel	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Fences	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Doors		Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Windows & Shutters		Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Trim		Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Garage Doors		Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Outdoor Furniture		Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Railings		Applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Wrought Iron		Applicable	Applicable	Applicable

Visit our Exterior Inspiration Gallery

Find style and colour inspiration for your home in our gallery.

Visit the Gallery

Learn About Interior Paint Sheens For Your Home

About Interior Paint Sheens

Related How-To Articles

How To Choose An Exterior Paint Sheen

WHICH MEASUREMENT SYSTEM DO YOU PREFER?

HOW BIG IS YOUR ROOM?

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

HOW MANY DOORS AND WINDOWS?

Doors

Windows

EXTRAS (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

HOW BIG IS YOUR HOUSE?

SQ. FT.

Openings

Doors

Garage Doors

Windows

Shutters

EXTRAS

HOW BIG IS YOUR WOOD STAIN PROJECT?

Approximate Square Footage Enter your project's approximate size below

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

HOW BIG IS YOUR FLOOR COATINGS PROJECT?

Approximate Square Footage

Enter your project's approximate size below

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Back

HERE'S HOW MUCH YOU'LL NEED

WALLS

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

TRIMS

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

DOORS

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

CEILING

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

EXTERIOR WALLS

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

DOORS

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

TRIM

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

SHUTTERS

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

GARAGE DOORS

0 Gallons + 0 Quarts

(Per coat)

DECKOVER STAIN

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats required

SOLID COLOUR WOOD STAIN

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats recommended

SOLID COLOUR HOUSE & FENCE STAIN

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats recommended

SEMI-TRANSPARENT WOOD STAIN

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats required

TRANSPARENT WOOD STAIN

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats required

PORCH & PATIO FLOOR PAINT

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats required

CONCRETE & GARAGE FLOOR PAINT

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats required

CONCRETE DYE

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats required

GRANITE GRIP

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats required

CONCRETE STAIN

0 Gallons (total)
0 Gal/Coat

2 coats required

* Important Disclaimer: Coverage calculator results are to be used only as estimates. Behr Process LLC cannot guarantee that you will achieve proper results without verifying your measurements and assumptions.

About Interior Paint Sheens

Get the look you want and the protection you need for any room in your home.

A flat sheen has a non-reflective finish that touches up well and hides minor surface imperfections.

Applications:

Low-traffic areas; interior walls and ceilings

Durability:

Medium-Low

A matte sheen has a low-luster, reflective finish that is durable, easy to clean, touches up well and also hides minor surface imperfections.

Applications:

Low-traffic areas; interior walls

Areas:

Family rooms, living rooms, kids' rooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, ceilings

An eggshell enamel sheen has a soft, velvety appearance that resists dirt and grime, as well as mildew.

Applications:

Moderate-traffic areas

Areas:

Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, dining rooms

A satin enamel sheen has a pearl-like finish that's easy to clean.

Applications:

All interior surfaces; moderate- to high-traffic areas

Areas:

Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters, interior furniture

Durability:

Medium-High

A semi-gloss enamel sheen is sleek and radiant resisting mildew, moisture and wear.

Applications:

Cabinets and trim; high-traffic, high-moisture areas

Areas:

Kids' rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters

Hi-Gloss enamel sheens provide have a brilliant, shiny appearance and a durable, glass-like finish that allows dirt and grime to be wiped clean.

Applications:

High-use surfaces

Areas:

Kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters, interior furniture

About Exterior Paint Sheens

Set the right curb appeal with exterior painting efforts that last.

A flat sheen is non-reflective, and easy to apply and touch up. It will minimize the appearance of minor surface imperfections.

Applications:

Wood and vinyl walls and siding; brick and other masonry; fences

Durability:

Medium-Low

A satin enamel sheen creates a pearl-like finish that's durable and dirt-resistant. It will also resist moisture, fading and stains.

Applications:

Virtually all exterior surfaces

Durability:

Medium-High

A semi-gloss enamel sheen is sleek and radiant with a hard, durable finish. It is formulated to withstand wear, and will also resist moisture, fading and stains.

Applications:

Doors, trim and shutters; Exterior furniture

Hi-Gloss enamel sheen have a brilliant, shiny appearance and a durable, glass-like finish that allows dirt and grime to be wiped clean.

Applications:

High-use surfaces

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About Exterior Paint Sheens

Set the right curb appeal with exterior painting efforts that last.

Flat

Satin Enamel

Semi-Gloss Enamel

Hi-Gloss Enamel

Exterior Sheen Usage Chart

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Canada	English	Français
US	English
Mexico	Español
Chile	Español
China	中文

Canada	English	Français
US	English
Mexico	Español
Chile	Español
China	中文

About Exterior Paint Sheens

Set the right curb appeal with exterior painting efforts that last.

Flat

Satin Enamel

Semi-Gloss Enamel

Hi-Gloss Enamel

Exterior Sheen Usage Chart

Subscribe

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