Choosing Paint Sheens for Different Commercial Use Cases

The overlooked detail that impacts maintenance and design longevity

Paint color gets all the attention, but it’s the sheen that often dictates long-term performance in commercial environments. From high-touch corridors in healthcare to upscale hospitality lobbies, the right sheen level can reduce maintenance costs, improve durability, and enhance light reflectance—all without changing the color.

Procurement professionals, designers, and facility managers selecting paints for commercial spaces need to go beyond flat vs. gloss and understand how different sheen levels interact with traffic patterns, lighting, and cleanability expectations.

Understanding the Sheen Spectrum

Sheen refers to how much light a paint finish reflects. Common commercial categories include:

Flat/Matte: Low reflectance, hides surface imperfections well

Eggshell: Slightly more durable and washable than flat

Satin: Moderate sheen with improved washability

Semi-Gloss: High durability and moisture resistance

Gloss: Reflective, tough finish typically reserved for trim or accents

Choosing by Use Case

Healthcare Facilities

Use eggshell or satin in patient rooms and corridors. These finishes offer cleanability without the glare of higher-sheen paints. In surgical areas or scrub rooms, semi-gloss is preferred for chemical resistance and ease of disinfection.

Schools and Educational Facilities

Classrooms do well with eggshell for light washability, while satin or semi-gloss is better for cafeterias, locker rooms, and hallways exposed to high wear and moisture.

Hospitality and Retail

Satin balances aesthetics and performance for lobbies, common areas, and dressing rooms. Feature walls may include flat or matte for contrast and depth, but only where traffic is minimal.

Office Spaces

Eggshell or matte finishes are common in conference rooms and private offices where traffic is low. In break rooms or restrooms, step up to satin or semi-gloss.

Multifamily Housing

In-unit walls benefit from eggshell for maintenance ease, while semi-gloss is preferred for kitchens, bathrooms, and trim.

Maintenance Implications

Flat/matte may require more frequent touch-ups but hides minor imperfections well.

Higher sheens resist scuffs and can be cleaned more easily but may highlight flaws in poorly prepped walls.

Light reflectance increases with sheen, affecting overall room brightness—useful in areas with limited natural light.

Procurement Tips

Choose paint systems that offer the same color across multiple sheens to simplify ordering and touch-ups.

Specify low-VOC, scrub-rated products for environments with strict indoor air quality standards.

Bundle paints with finish-specific tools (e.g., microfiber rollers for matte, fine brushes for gloss).

Verify manufacturer specs on sheen levels under both artificial and natural light.

Distributors can assist by:

Stocking popular commercial sheens in neutral palettes

Offering field training or mock-up panels for client approvals

Recommending finishes based on foot traffic, maintenance plans, and substrate type

Final Word

Choosing the right paint sheen isn’t just about visual appeal—it’s about how the surface will perform over time. In commercial spaces where downtime is costly and aesthetics matter, sheen selection can be the difference between a paint job that lasts and one that fails fast.

By matching the right finish to each space’s function, teams can ensure long-term satisfaction—and fewer repaint cycles.