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Paint Colours

Finish & Light Information

Sheen & Gloss Info

You’ve picked a color and you thought your painting project was about to get underway when the store clerks asks “what sheen would you like that in?” Gloss & Sheen are terms often used interchangeably but refer to the light reflectance off a surface and can greatly affect the look of your paint on the wall, let us explain…

What is Eggshell Paint?

Eggshell paint can refer to a color, usually an off white, but the reference generally refers to a sheen. There is no industry standard for paint sheens, so one company's Eggshell can be another company's Satin, Matte or Low Gloss. At Cloverdale Paint our Eggshell falls between our Pearl and our Low Gloss having a reflectance value slightly higher than the actual shell of an egg. The benefit to this type of Eggshell is that it is extremely washable, releasing dirt from its surface easily and keeping its fresh look. It is the perfect coating for rooms where you need a little more durability or light reflectance such as kids rooms, rec rooms, dining area's and laundry rooms.



Definitions & Viewing Angles That Describe Finishes


“GLOSS”

A 60º viewing angle looking at a finish. The most common viewing angle used by the coatings industry to describe the various levels, from flat to high gloss. The gloss of a surface is described by a number based on the reflection of light from the surface that is independent of colour. The higher the number, the ‘glossier’ the finish. ASTM method D523 outlines the procedures for performing the test.


“SHEEN”

An 85º viewing angle looking at a finish. It is a very high angle view in order to discern the lower gloss levels. At about the mid-range in gloss levels, it is difficult to use the eye to gauge sheen level, so lab instruments are required.


NOTE: Gloss and Sheen are measured by a glossmeter. The values expressed in Gloss Units (GU), and are based on a highly polished reference black glass standard with a defined refractive index having a specular reflectance of 100GU at the specified angle. 0 GU being perfectly matte and 100 GU being perfectly ‘mirror-like’.


Info_Flat


Info_Flat Info_Eggshell


Info_Pearl Info_Low_Gloss


Info_Semi-Gloss Info_Gloss

Colour & Light

Sheen and Gloss aren’t the only thing you have to consider when choosing colour, light can often be the biggest factor in colour disappointment. From the type of light to how much light can drastically alter your viewing, sometimes in a positive way, want to hear more?

The source of illumination on colour can dramatically change your perception of the hue. From Direct sunlight, Incandescent and fluorescent sources, to the new halogen and LED light options each highlights a different area of the light spectrum in regards to colour and will influence your viewing.

The amount of light reflected off a surface and the sheen of the paint (how much light it’s reflecting) also combine to alter your colours appearance. Warmer summer light versus cooler winter light, well lit walls versus shadows and corners, can make a colour appear different from times of day to seasonal changes. Even the juxtaposition of light from accent walls or natural occurrences (shrubbery) can bounce from one surface to another, influencing your final perception.

Due to these variables it is always suggested that you try your paint colours on the actual surface you are painting (substrates and texture can add to the lighting effects). Apply to a well-lit area and a darker corner to ensure you can live with both versions of your selection. On exteriors especially it’s important to view the surrounding colours, vegetation and existing unchangeable objects (brick, stone or metal which won’t be painted) to see how they may influence your colour choices.

The psychology of colour can add another dimension, often associated with behaviors – blue in a dining room doesn’t always make food look appetizing, green in a bathroom can make you appear sickly while orange in a bedroom can affect your sense of calm, causing restless sleep.

Luckily there are a limitless numbers of colours to choose from in established palettes or custom tinted to your specifications, let us know what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll point you in the right direction.