Authorized Benjamin Moore dealer & Ace Hardware — Delray Beach, FL
(561) 495-8900Sheen chart
Every Benjamin Moore sheen level, what it measures, what it hides, and where it belongs — the chart we walk customers through at the counter.
At a glance
Sheen is measured as gloss units off a meter at a fixed angle. Practically, it's a durability dial: more sheen cleans better and resists moisture, less sheen hides wall imperfections and shows color more richly.
| Sheen | Gloss | Washability | Hides flaws | Moisture | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | 0–2 units @ 60° | Ceilings, Low-traffic adult bedrooms, Older walls with visible repairs | |||
| Matte | 2–5 units @ 60° | Living rooms, Bedrooms, Dining rooms | |||
| Eggshell | 10–25 units @ 85° | Hallways, Family rooms, Bedrooms | |||
| Pearl | 25–35 units @ 60° | Bathrooms, Kitchens, Laundry rooms | |||
| Satin | 35–45 units @ 60° | Trim and doors, Kitchens and baths, Cabinets in a softer look | |||
| Semi-Gloss | 55–65 units @ 60° | Trim, baseboards, and crown, Doors and door frames, Cabinets | |||
| High Gloss | 70+ units @ 60° | Front doors, Furniture and built-ins, Accent millwork |
Gloss ranges are Benjamin Moore published measurements. Washability, flaw-hiding, and moisture ratings are our counter guidance on a 1–5 scale.
In detail
No reflection at all. Flat swallows light, which makes it the best sheen on the market for hiding drywall seams, patches, and uneven texture.
Best for
Skip it when
Anywhere that gets touched, scrubbed, or splashed. Cleaning a traditional flat usually burnishes it.
We stock: Waterborne Ceiling Paint · Regal Select Flat · Ultra Spec 500 Flat · Aura Exterior Flat
The modern flat. Looks nearly identical to flat across a wall but the newer resin packages let you actually wipe it down — this is where most of Benjamin Moore's engineering has gone.
Best for
Skip it when
Kitchen backsplash areas and mudrooms, where you want a harder film you can scrub repeatedly.
We stock: Aura Matte · Regal Select Matte · Aura Bath & Spa Matte · ben Matte
The default wall sheen in most American homes. A very soft glow at a raking angle, noticeably easier to clean than flat, still forgiving on imperfect walls.
Best for
Skip it when
Walls with heavy patching in strong side light — the low glow starts to telegraph repairs.
We stock: Regal Select Eggshell · Aura Eggshell · Ultra Spec 500 Eggshell · ben Eggshell
A Benjamin Moore-specific step between eggshell and satin. Real moisture resistance without jumping to a shiny wall — our most-recommended sheen for South Florida bathrooms.
Best for
Skip it when
Large, flat, poorly finished drywall walls in a bright room.
We stock: Regal Select Pearl · Aura Pearl · Ultra Spec 500 Pearl
A visible, velvety shine. Wipes clean easily and sheds moisture, but it shows every roller lap, patch, and nail pop, so surface prep has to be right.
Best for
Skip it when
Ceilings, and long unbroken walls that were never skim-coated.
We stock: ADVANCE Satin · Regal Select Satin · Scuff-X Satin · ARBORCOAT Satin
The classic trim and cabinet sheen. Hard, scrubbable, and moisture-shedding, with enough shine to crisply define millwork against a flatter wall.
Best for
Skip it when
Walls, unless you're painting a utility space you plan to hose down.
We stock: ADVANCE Semi-Gloss · Regal Select Semi-Gloss · Command Max Semi-Gloss · Aura Exterior Semi-Gloss
Near-lacquer shine. A deliberate design choice — a glossy front door, a library built-in, a statement ceiling — and the least forgiving finish we sell.
Best for
Skip it when
Any surface you have not sanded and primed properly. Gloss magnifies everything underneath it.
We stock: ADVANCE High Gloss · Regal Select High Gloss · Renner wood coatings
Head to head
Questions
Bring a photo of the room and we'll settle the sheen in about two minutes. Delray Beach and Lake Worth Beach, seven days a week.
