Wood Floor Finishes Satin Vs Semi Gloss

Scratches imperfections and dust are more readily.

Wood floor finishes satin vs semi gloss.

Satin finish for your hardwood floor. Then comes semi gloss which is a step down from the ultra shiny sheen of gloss floors. Semi gloss on the other hand is sometimes used in residential spaces. For some the appearance of shine indicates clean.

A satin is a lovely lower gloss finish with a bit of glow to it but without heavy reflection. In the range of finishes glossy finish is the most shiny finish. More gloss shows more dings and dents so they have to be filled and sanded prior to painting. A satin finish floor is easier to care for than a high gloss floor and will last longer without needing to be refinished.

Semi gloss has a slightly higher luster level than satin. The luster of a semi gloss finish is between a satin and high gloss finish. While most homeowners prefer a high gloss water based polyurethane you ll also find satin and semi gloss. This gives a more formal feel that really highlights the beauty of hardwood.

The higher gloss level of semi gloss makes it slightly more durable than a satin finish. The reason for that is that the shinier you go the more it shows the dents and scratches as well as the dirt. Hardwood floor finishes have varying levels of ease durability even glossiness. A glossier finish will require more prep time.

So satin is the most popular and it also the most practical option. It used to be one of the more popular floor finishing choices but it s not used nearly as often in modern designs. Semigloss finishes if you like a shiny look but don t want to be a complete slave to floor care a semigloss finish may be a good choice. It has a medium sheen that reflects more light than a satin finish.

In terms of practicality though satin ends up lasting or looking better for a longer period of time than semi gloss does. I ve literally had people clean off their finish because it wouldn t stay shiny. Satin is as the material states and very shiny and silky looking. This is lovely so long as you are not a person who likes to see shiny clean.

Even with good prep some more will show up after the semi gloss paint goes on. Again in the same way you may choose to stain the hard wood floor before you apply the satin top coat. This means more light reflects off your floors. The satin finish comes next with a kind of glow about it but not that light reflective high gloss look.

Satin is often mistaken for semi gloss owing to its partially reflective nature.