Understanding the difference between paint sheens and how each can create various moods and dimensions in a space is an excellent way to impress your customers. Imagine wowing your customers by describing each sheen, their functional and aesthetic qualities, and the many possibilities for mixing and matching to create a truly unique space.   Selecting the best paint sheen for your client’s space requires understanding how sheen level affects light, color, and texture and keeping up with the latest trends and technology. We caught up with Behr’s Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color & Creative, and Sid Maxey, Senior Director of Research & Development for the latest and greatest in paint sheens.     Sheen Technology Sheen determines how much light reflects off the coating. Lower sheens absorb light, giving a matte finish, and higher sheens reflect light, giving a glossier finish.     Traditionally, a lower sheen has been achieved by adding more extender pigmentation like calcium carbonate, talcs, micas, etc.   If you looked at it under magnification, it would kind of look like the surface of the moon or like a mountain range,” said Maxey. This surface texture absorbs the light, creating a matte finish.   To create a higher sheen, the ratio of binder to extender pigmentation increases, giving you that smooth, reflective look.   The benefit of a more matte sheen is that the texture not only absorbs light, but also hides imperfections in the wall; however, it’s not as scuff-resistant.   Because the rough material sticks out like mountain ranges, when your shoulder rubs against them on a wall, you break the peaks off of those mountains, creating scuffing, marring, and a sheen differential,” said Maxey.   That breakage is why lower-sheen paint has not historically been considered as durable or cleanable as higher-sheen paint.   Luckily, as the world of paint evolves to meet the needs of professional painters and end users, chemists like Maxey get the opportunity to be creative and build new technologies. In this instance, it’s creating a lower-sheen paint without using a high concentration of extender pigments, giving both high hide and durability.   If you can get rid of those pigments, then you don't have anything to break, which means that your products are more resistant to scuffing and marring,” says Maxey.   Today, BEHR ULTRA® Interior Paint is a great example of a paint specifically designed to offer that high hide of an ultralow sheen and durability.   And that was achieved through advanced technology,” said Maxey. This durability can be especially important when dealing with darker colors. “If you have a very flat sheen in a navy blue, sometimes marring can happen just by touching it. With BEHR ULTRA Interior Paint, you can get really vivid colors without the risk of sheen change.”   [caption id="attachment_1904" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Walls: Dark Secret PPU26-23A[/caption]   2025 Sheen Design Trends Of course, if you only talk to your clients about the functionality of a sheen, you are missing half its appeal.   Sheen can have a big impact on the mood and atmosphere of a space if you know how to use it,” said Woelfel. “It can bounce light around in really interesting ways.”   One area where sheen can play a big role is in color drenching. Color drenching is when you use a single color for everything in the room (ceiling, walls, trim, baseboard, door, etc.).   There are a couple of approaches that I think have been really interesting from a design-and-paint-application perspective,” said Woelfel.   Single sheen: “You can create a very sophisticated and cohesive look if you’re just using all one sheen, like matte for example, in an entire room,” said Woelfel. [caption id="attachment_1905" align="alignnone" width="2073"] Walls: Cracked Pepper PPU18-01; Ceiling: Weathered White HDC-NT-21[/caption] Different sheens on different substrates: This follows the more traditional use of sheens, but it creates dimensionality in a color-drenched room. “You can use sheen to highlight architectural features. For example, flat on the walls and semi-gloss on the ceiling can capture the light in an interesting way and create a dynamic atmosphere,” said Woelfel. [caption id="attachment_1906" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Walls & Ceiling: Rumors MQ1-15[/caption] Sheens can help create architectural features: A chair rail is one way to create architectural interest in a room, but you can take it a step further by doing it with paint. “It is an effective look when the upper wall above the chair rail is painted a matte finish and the lower wall is a higher sheen,” said Woelfel. [caption id="attachment_1907" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Upper Wall: Perfect Taupe PPU18-13; Lower Wall: Aubergine N100-7; Trim & Ceiling: Blank Canvas DC-003[/caption] Dual-sheen feature: In addition to texture and light reflection, sheen also affects the appearance of color. As the sheen goes up, the color appears darker. Because of this, layering different sheens on the wall in the same color can create shifts of color and dimensionality. One idea is to paint the wall in a matte sheen and then overlay a design in the same color with a glossier sheen. [caption id="attachment_1908" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Walls & Graphic Overlay: Weathered White HDC-NT-21; Trim: Whipped Cream DC-001[/caption] Sheens are something that I think contractors should explore as they’re doing different projects. It just adds another layer of professionalism. Plus, you can create some really dynamic décors and appealing aesthetics when you get the sheen right,” said Woelfel.   Regardless of whether you are working to create a design that is traditional or modern, or you’re looking to deliver durability in a heavily trafficked space, sheens are an exciting talking point when communicating with a customer.   If you have paint sheen questions or want to learn more, contact your local BEHR® Pro Rep.  

Wood stains have the power to transform ordinary surfaces into timeless expressions of personal style. To elevate the aesthetic of your clients’ outdoor spaces this spring, BEHR® has announced its 2024 Exterior Stain Color of the Year, Tugboat – a brownish grey wood stain reminiscent of weathered materials from boats at sea.   Deck: Tugboat SC-141   The sophisticated blend of muted tones brings subtle color to exterior surfaces while enhancing the natural wood grain for a timeless finish. The versatility of Tugboat adds organic beauty and effortless character with a nautical twist to enrich your clients’ residential or commercial outdoor environments. Tugboat Featured in Solid Color (SC-141) & Semi-Transparent (ST-141) Stain   Both solid and semi-transparent finishes offer a polished look on decks, fences, porches, patio ceilings, railings and more.   Deck: Tugboat ST-141   Apply Tugboat in a solid finish to a wooden fence for a striking visual boundary that blends seamlessly with natural surroundings.   Fence: Tugboat SC-141   Or choose Tugboat in a semi-transparent finish for a front door and port ceiling to add charm and depth to an entry space.   Front Door & Port Ceiling: Tugboat ST-141   The versatility of Tugboat allows for the ease of application on various architectural styles and building materials to create a cohesive and inviting façade.   Exterior Accent: Tugboat SC-141   Give your clients a visually appealing outdoor living space with a wood-stained ceiling featuring Tugboat for a warm and comforting atmosphere.   Ceiling: Tugboat ST-141   Embrace the nautical allure of Tugboat for a refined and captivating outdoor ambiance.   To learn more about Tugboat, exterior wood stain project inspiration, and application tips, visit behrpro.com/2024staincoty.   Note: The 2024 Exterior Stain Color of the Year Tugboat is available exclusively at The Home Depot® in a variety of BEHR® Products, including the #1 rated exterior solid stain, BEHR PREMIUM® Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer, as well as BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer, BEHR PREMIUM® Advanced DeckOver®, BEHR® Solid Color House & Fence Wood Stain, and BEHR DECKplus® Solid Color Waterproofing Wood Stain.  

As a paint professional, you understand why proper preparation is key to a high-quality paint job. Whether an interior color update or a foundation-to-rooftop exterior revamp, every successful project starts with a thorough assessment of your surfaces and its condition. Starting with a clean, patched, sanded surface can help you save time and money. You have to make sure you have the right tools for a job – especially when it comes to tape!   Considering the volumes of tape professional painters use on the job, it makes sense to pause and ask yourself if the tape you typically use meets your projects’ needs. Why? Well, switching to a tape specifically designed for the project paves the way for crisper lines, higher-quality results, and less rework. These actions could lead to meaningful cost savings over time by avoiding costly rework.     According to 3M Company — a leader in painter’s tapes and the owner of the Scotch® Brand — tape plays an essential role in the painting process — but not all tapes are the same. Therefore, it’s important that painting professionals understand the array of taping options and their distinct applications.   Consider these three factors when searching for the perfect tape for your project: Surface/Materials — Do you regularly work with metal, plastic, cardboard, or glass? Are the surfaces smooth, porous, irregular, or rough? Once you determine the specific materials and surfaces you may paint, make sure the tape you choose adheres properly to the surface. The last thing you want to do is repair damage from using too strong of adhesive on a freshly painted surface (at least 24-hours old), or damage varnish from hardwood floors, so Scotch™ Delicate Surface Painter's Tape would be the right choice. Tackle rough, tough to stick to surfaces such as brick with Scotch™ Rough Surface Painters Tape.   Environment — What kind of conditions does the tape need to withstand? Is the project interior or exterior? Are extreme high or low temperatures involved? What about humidity, moisture, direct UV or sunlight?   Time — How long does the tape need to remain on the surface? ScotchBlue™ Original Painter’s Tape will stay in place for up to 14 days.   Taking these factors into account will help you narrow the field and eventually lead you to the most suitable tape for your applications.   Types of Tape Once you identify your project’s needs, you’re well-equipped to make an informed decision. Whether the job calls for a tape that is tried-and-true, cross-functional, or highly specialized, Scotch™ Brand offers the following solutions to help you succeed:   ScotchBlue TM Multi-Surface Painter's Tapes ScotchBlueTM Original Painter’s Tape & ScotchBlueTM Sharp Lines Painter's Tape 2093     Medium adhesion and excellent UV resistance Great for trim, painted walls, tile, and glass Can be used for outdoor applications Cleaner removal without any surface damage when left on for longer periods of time, compared to Scotch Masking Tapes   Scotch® Surface-Specific Painter’s Tapes Scotch® Rough Surface Painter’s Tape 2060, Scotch® Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape 2080 & Scotch® Exterior Surface Painter’s Tape 2097 Offer better results and require less rework for specific applications, including rough surfaces such as brick or concrete, delicate or freshly painted surfaces, or exterior projects.   Scotch® Masking Tapes Scotch® Contractor Grade Masking Tape 2020 & Scotch® Heavy Duty Masking Tape 2020+ Great for every-day use on non-damageable surfaces Strong adhesion and shorter removal times Best on durable surfaces like vinyl, carpet, metal, and plastic   Still not sure which tape is right for you? Check out Scotch’s Tape Comparison Chart or take the Product Selector Quiz and get your answer with just a few clicks.   Good Prep = Best Results Now that you’ve found the tape(s) you need, it’s time to put your plan into action, starting with high-quality preparation – which involves more than just taping. Be sure to assess the condition of the surfaces, fix any holes or wall damage, and sand uneven surfaces until they are smooth, clean, and ready to be painted.     Check out the following 3M products:   3M Pro Grade Precision Sanding Paper Great for construction, woodworking, carpentry, and home improvement projects such as paint and drywall sanding No-Slip Grip™ Durable Backing reduces hand fatigue Premium mineral grits   3M Pro Grade Precision Dust Channeling Sanding Sponge Multi-use sanding sponges Can be used wet or dry Premium mineral provides faster sanding Clog-resistant Channels dust away from sanding surface   For more information, please visit 3M.com.   This article was created in partnership with 3M.