Sheen
Sheen is the level of gloss in a dried paint film. Residential finishes range from flat to low-sheen, semi-gloss, and gloss. Specifying sheen prevents PCI disputes.
Ask Chalkline about this →Sheen is the degree of light reflectance in a dried paint film, ranging from flat (no reflectance) through low-sheen and semi-gloss to full gloss. The sheen level affects both the look of the surface and its practical performance: higher sheen surfaces are more washable and scrubbable but show substrate imperfections more readily. Low-sheen is the standard residential wall finish; semi-gloss and gloss are used on trims, skirtings, architraves, and doors where durability and clean-ability matter.
Sheen must be specified in the contract or scope of works. “Paint-ready” without a sheen level is a common source of PCI disputes: the painter applies low-sheen, the client expected semi-gloss, or vice versa. Sheen consistency across a single wall is a workmanship acceptance criterion: lap marks and sheen banding (a visible stripe of higher gloss where the wet edge was lost mid-application) are PCI defects.
AS/NZS 2311:2017 (Guide to the painting of buildings) provides guidance on paint system selection including sheen levels appropriate to the exposure and use of each surface.
Also known as: sheen level, paint sheen, gloss level.
Category: Painting and decorating.
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Last updated: 2026-05-10. Verified: 2026-05-10. Quarterly review for currency.