What is semi-gloss paint?

[Feelsodrained]

can anyone help? I have been recommended to paint stair rails in semi gloss but I can’t see any paints that actually describe themselves as such. It’s either gloss or satin or eggshell. Does anyone have any recommendations of a white paint that’s a bit glossy but not overly so? Many thanks

Satin is what I would call a semi-gloss paint.

It has a soft shine/glow - rather a patent high gloss look.

https://www.diy.com/ideas--advice/painting--decorating/painting/choosing-a-paint-finish

Yes satin is what you want, halfway between Matt and gloss pretty much. Eggshell is probably closer to Matt.

Thank you! I will check that out!

Yes, satin I would call semi gloss.

I paint my internal doors in satin.

I paint my bannister in gloss. The reason you use gloss is because it is very hard wearing and there are lots of hands on it.

Even with gloss it is probably the thing I repaint most often in the house. I am not sure satin is what I would use on it, unless I was expecting to get the paint out every year or so.

Ah okay i might give gloss a go then.

@Feelsodrained You haven’t really been given the best info here. The hardest wearing paint for woodwork that will not discolour and is easy to apply is Interior Eggshell for Woodwork. You could look for satin in cheaper ranges which will be hard wearing but do not use gloss. It’s difficult to clean the brushes and far more difficult to apply, I’d highly recommend Farrow and Ball Interior Eggshell for Woodwork. It’s water based and easy to apply, More or less chip proof and cleanable as well as perfect for bannisters. Much nicer finish than satin.

It’s difficult to clean the brushes and far more difficult to apply

@TizerorFizz not true. Water based gloss has been around for quite some time now. Just finished a job using Dulux trade quick dry gloss and it was barely any harder to apply than the Johnston’s eggshell I normally use and brushes cleaned with water. Gave a very nice, high gloss finish. Wouldn’t be my personal choice but that’s what the customer wanted.

Gloss has fallen out of fashion. Most people would now use eggshell (matte) or satin (semi gloss). Water based is much easier to work with.

I was just having a conversation with a friend who's a high end designer who says high gloss is making a big comeback at the moment.

Thanks for the tip! Will check it out and might splash out on F&B

Leyland acrylic eggshell, not expensive and great paint. all the decorators say its good stuff at our local paint shop, gloss yellows over time.

It’s a lot safer to use eggshell. I cannot see any advantage to acrylic paint.F&B do modern eggshell. Also who wants a high gloss handrail? Yes, the Downing Street front door looks great but most people have ditched gloss on interior woodwork.

I'd skip F&B. I find their paint needs a lot more coats on woodwork than other brands.

yes can be the case, my neighbour had to apoly 4 coats to her front door to look decent, i got a tin of black matt from poundland and did my door in one coat...Valspar does good paint but check the reviews as some types are dreadful but their exterior wood paint is amazing and covers well.

Gloss paint finishes will show every imperfection in the surface, so you need to take extra care with the preparation work. Satin finishes are much more forgiving. And eggshell finishes most forgiving of all.