Highlights: The general rule for choosing an exterior paint sheen is to use a Flat sheen or an Eggshell sheen (also called Low Lustre) on the body of the house, with higher sheen finishes such as Satin and Soft Gloss creating contrast on the trim and accents. Lower sheens hide surface imperfections and reduce reflection, while higher sheens create visual emphasis and add durability to high-touch surfaces like wood railings and doors.
The paint finish you choose for your home's exterior serves several purposes: protection, definition, and aesthetics. Glossiness in a paint sheen is created through the addition of resins and binders in the formula, which enhance light reflectance while creating a protective barrier.
Exterior sheens typically fall into five categories:
Flat (comparable to a matte interior sheen)
Eggshell/Low Lustre
Satin
Semi-Gloss or Soft Gloss
High-Gloss
Ring’s End Pro Tip: Low Lustre is exterior’s version of eggshell, but slightly shinier. We call it our workhorse sheen—the best combination of minimizing imperfections and long-lasting durability.
Painters and architects mix and match paint sheens on the exterior based on the material, function, and design of each architectural surface. Read below for detailed recommendations for each surface:
Best Paint Sheens for Exterior Siding
Siding: Benjamin Moore Wedgewood Gray HC-146, Low Lustre; Door: Hawthorne Yellow HC-4, High Gloss; Trim & Shutters: Hazy Skies OC-48, Soft Gloss
Vinyl or Composite Siding
Recommended Sheen: Flat, eggshell/low lustre, satin
Flat paint offers the most versatile finish for vinyl or composite siding, offering a non-reflective finish that hides surface imperfections, siding texture, and lap marks in the paint. If your siding is in good shape, eggshell, low lustre, or even satin finishes may work well but require steady application for even coverage because brush and roller marks are more likely to be visible in higher-sheen paints.
Note that satin has more shine than low lustre. You should test the sheen first to confirm you like the amount of shine before committing to the entire project. The general rule is to choose a lower sheen for siding than for accent areas like trim, shutters, and doors.
Our top recommendation for a high-quality paint that delivers a flawless finish at a great price point is Regal Select Exterior MoorLife Flat Finish. It’s easy to apply for both professionals and DIY homeowners, with exceptional coverage and long-lasting color.*
Visit our Best Exterior Paints Guide to Learn More About Our Top Recommended Exterior Paints
*Note: Dark colors that aren’t vinyl approved may warp or damage vinyl siding and trim. Always check that your paint color is approved for vinyl - Vinyl Siding Safe Colors from Benjamin Moore
Wood Siding: Benjamin Moore Black HC-190, Woodluxe Exterior Stain, Semi-Solid
Wood Siding
Recommended Sheen: Depends on the desired amount of transparency:
A solid color look is best achieved with wood stain in semi-solid or solid finish for bare wood, or with flat or low lustre paint for prepainted wood.
For a stained look, translucent and semi-translucent stains reveal more of the wood grain and texture.
Bare wood siding performs best with an absorbent stain tinted to your preferred color since acrylic or latex paints can crack and peel as the wood expands with temperature changes. Semi-solid and solid stains achieve the look of paint while absorbing into the wood for added durability, moisture resistance, and protection from UV rays. Opaque wood stains like Benjamin Moore Woodluxe have a similar appearance to a flat or ultra flat paint.
If your wood siding has been previously painted, we recommend priming first with a high-quality wood primer, followed by premium exterior paint. Use a flat or low lustre finish following the same recommendations as vinyl siding. Remember to keep the siding sheen duller than the accent pieces like doors and trim.
Best Paint Sheen for Brick
Brick: Benjamin Moore Pure White OC-64, Romabio Masonry Flat; Door and Trim: Wrought Iron (2124-10)
Recommended Sheen: Flat
For unpainted brick, we recommend Romabio Masonry Flat Mineral Paint. This breathable, mineral-based paint calcifies to the brick, allowing moisture to escape. As a result, it offers exceptional durability while resisting mold and mildew for a low-maintenance, long-lasting finish. This flat sheen paint creates a smooth, opaque finish available in nearly any Benjamin Moore color, without the risks associated with latex paint on brick. It can be used on brick, stone, stucco, and cementitious siding.
Best Paint Sheens for Concrete Home or Foundation
Siding: Coventry Gray HC-169; Trim and Concrete: Cloud Cover OC-25; Door: Jet Black 2120-10
Recommended Sheen: Flat, Eggshell/Low Lustre
Exterior concrete surfaces, like foundations, perform well with flat or low lustre paints. Since foundations are typically rough, a dull sheen works well to blend the overall color palette. Products like Romabio Mineral Paint or Benjamin Moore Floor & Patio Paint offer durable, moisture-resistant finishes suitable for concrete.
Best Paint Sheens for Architecture Details
Siding: Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170, Low Lustre; Trim: White Wisp OC-54, Soft Gloss
Trim, Architectural Detail, and Soffit
Recommended Sheen: Low Lustre, Satin, Semi-gloss, High Gloss
Trim, soffits, and architectural details look best with low lustre or satin finishes, offering contrast and dimension in comparison to the body. We recommend increasing the sheen level one or two steps glossier than your body. For example, if your siding is flat, you may use a low lustre finish for your trim, while a low lustre body will look better paired with satin paint on the trim. For added durability in high-traffic or weather-exposed areas, a semi-gloss sheen is ideal. Just remember, a high-gloss paint will highlight any surface imperfections, so it’s important to sand down and smooth out blemishes before repainting your architectural details.
Shutters
Recommended Sheen: Eggshell/Low Lustre, Satin, Semi-gloss
Shutters benefit from low lustre, satin, or semi-gloss finishes, providing a smooth, durable surface that adds contrast to the lower sheen siding. Match the sheen to your trim for a cohesive look.
Best Paint Sheen for the Front Door
Siding and Trim: Benjamin Moore Horizon OC-53, Low Lustre; Door: Sea Life 2118-40, Satin
Recommended Sheen: Satin, Semi-Gloss, High Gloss
Your front door is the focal point of your home’s exterior. A semi-gloss or high gloss finish enhances its appearance, creating a bold, polished look that stands out in comparison to your other trim and adds durability. Fine Paints of Europe and Benjamin Moore Advance High Gloss are both excellent choices for a smooth, glossy finish. Satin sheen is also a good option for front doors, especially for DIY’ers, because it hides brush strokes more easily.
Ring’s End Pro Tip: A smooth paint job relies on good prep work! Check with a paint expert, like Ring’s End, or your paint product’s data sheet to be sure you’re prepping the door properly.
Best Paint Sheen for Gutters
Siding, Gutters, and Top Trim: Louisberg Green HC-113; Posts, Window Trim, and Door: Castle Peak Gray 1561
Recommended Sheen: Low Lustre, Satin, Semi-Gloss
Gutters are rarely painted due to maintenance challenges. If painting, match the color and sheen to your trim or siding so it blends in. Use a direct-to-metal (DTM) paint for metal gutters for best durability and weather resistance, and remember to clean them thoroughly before painting.