If you’re building or designing a new living space, you might easily get overwhelmed with decision fatigue. There’s so much to think about. Carpet or hardwood flooring? What color scheme do you want? What kind of furniture?
One decision that you might not have considered yet is the type of finish you want on your hardwood floor.
If your floors get a lot of traffic, and if you’re going for a more natural look, you’ve probably already ruled out a gloss or a semi-gloss finish. This leaves you with two excellent options: a satin or matte finish.
Either of these is a great choice, but is one better than the other? And how should you decide?
Here we’ll break down everything you need to know about the pros and cons of matte versus satin finish for your hardwood floor.
Satin Finish
Most people like the idea of having a subtle shine to their floors; but they don’t want the intense glow of a gloss or a semi-gloss finish. In these cases, a satin finish is a nice “middle-of-the-road” option. The hint of gloss you get with a satin finish does lend a note of elegance to your living space, and can also help to brighten up a dark room by reflecting the light.
Another thing to love about the satin finish: because of the shine, dirt and debris do not show up as much. Any oily spots tend to blend in.
One of the downsides to a satin finish is that any scratches or dents will be difficult to hide because the reflection of the light makes them much more obvious.
Matte Finish
Matte finish has only recently gained popularity as appreciation grows for home decor that is more rustic and natural in appearance. The matte finish gives off a nice organic feel that is perfect for an old-fashioned farmhouse or a cottage.
If you’re going for that rustic look, a matte finish will fit your decor perfectly.
Matte finish, like satin finish, is smooth, but it doesn’t have that subtle shine or glow. It’s easy to clean. In addition, it is more resistant to scratches and scuffs, because it’s not as reflective as other types of finish.
Matte Vs Satin Finish: What’s the Difference?
Both types of finish use similar materials and are alike in many ways. The main difference between them is that a satin finish reflects more light than a matte finish, without being as glossy as other kinds of finish on the market. A satin finish is great when you want to create a glamorous, stylish look in a room. Matte finish has very little shine and can look smooth, flat, or even dull in comparison. This kind of finish is ideal if you want your hardwood floors to appear more natural.
Satin Vs. Matte: Overview
If you’re trying to choose between a satin or matte finish, just know that either one of these will look great. If you’re using a darker wood or going for a more elegant look, a satin finish might suit your needs better. If your style is more in line with a rustic farmhouse or a log cabin, a matte finish might be preferable.
Both kinds of flooring are durable and can hold up to lots of wear and tear. However, you’ll need to do some research to figure out what kinds of damage your hardwood floor can sustain, and what it can’t. Make yourself aware of what kinds of activities may cause lasting damage to your floors, and avoid these.
Appearance
Because matte finish does not reflect much light, you’ll see the texture and color of the wood better. This look won’t distract from other items in the room, so it’s ideal for minimalist homes in which a shinier surface could be overpowering. On the other hand, satin finish is more traditional and appropriate to almost any kind of home. Keep in mind, though, that the satin finish will distract from the color and texture of the wood, so it may dramatically change the overall look of the room.
When you’re deciding which finish to use, you’ll want to keep the overall look of the room in mind and consider how the finish will complement other design elements.
Maintenance
Your hardwood flooring is a significant investment and you want it to last for many years. So take into account how well the finish will hold up over time. You’ll also want to consider how much time you want to spend cleaning your floors. Satin finish conceals more dirt and is likely to look shiny and new for a long time. But a matte finish is more forgiving of scratches and dents, which makes it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas like entryways or playrooms.
Switching From Matte to Satin
Later on, you might feel that your matte finish just looks too dull and you want to shine it up a bit. If this happens, simply add a thin layer of wood floor polish or restorer. This can have the effect of reflecting more light. Before starting this process, it’s a good idea to check whether the hardwood floor is sealed or unsealed, as this makes a difference in how to proceed with the polishing. If the wood floor absorbs a drop of water, it is unsealed, while if the drop forms a bead on the wood, then it’s sealed. This information will help you choose the right kind of floor polish.
Switching From Satin to Matte
To switch to a satin finish from matte, you’ll need to do a screen and recoat. That means buffing out the surface of the floor and then redoing that surface with a polyurethane topcoat. This allows you to refinish the surface with a matte finish in place of the satin that was already there.
This method alters the surface of the floor. However, if you’re trying to change the color of the flooring, or eliminate any deep scratches, you may need to completely sand and refinish.
Matte and satin finish are both attractive and affordable choices for your hardwood floor. Consider the overall aesthetic of your home and the activities that take place within it to guide your decision.