MAT, VELOURS, SATIN, BRILLANT, QUELLES DIFFÉRENCES ?

Main ideas, concepts, and lessons (paint finishes)

• Paint finishes vary from matte to gloss, and the right choice depends on the room and conditions—including lighting, humidity, foot traffic, and how much you need the surface to hide imperfections vs. resist cleaning.
• Terminology differs by brand, but the underlying visual and functional categories are essentially the same (e.g., matte/semi-matte, satin/semi-satin, and newer “velvet” finishes).
• A key measurement concept is specular gloss, which quantifies how much light a paint reflects depending on the lighting angle—explaining why some finishes look “shinier” in certain conditions.

Gloss measurement methodology (specular gloss)

• Specular gloss is used to assess a paint finish.
• It is expressed as a percentage of light reflected.
• The measurement is taken under light at a 60° angle (standard).
• The speaker also mentions another observation technique at 85°:
  • 60°: standard viewing/measurement angle
  • 85°: wider angle, used to show differences more strongly
• Angle effect (as explained):
  • As the light angle gets wider, gloss becomes more pronounced.
  • (Stated idea) More direct/stronger exposure makes gloss visibility increase.

Finish categories and how they’re assigned (example scale)

The speaker provides a schematic breakdown of finishes based on gloss percentage:

• 0% to 10%: Matte (very low reflective appearance)
• 10% to 60%: Satin (moderate reflectivity)
• 60% to 80%: Gloss (high reflectivity)
• Over 80%: Lacquered / very glossy (extreme reflectivity)

Also noted: between major categories, there are subcategories, such as:

• Semi-matte between matte and satin
• Semi-gloss between satin and gloss

Practical guidance: where to use which finish (and why)

Matte

• Appearance/behavior
  • Absorbs light rather than reflecting it, so it has the least glossy look.
• Limitations
  • Not easy to clean
  • Not good in humidity
  • Deteriorates quickly in damp/high-moisture settings
• Recommended use cases
  • Avoid in children’s rooms (especially small ones) and humid or high-traffic areas such as:
    • Kitchen
    • Hallways
• When it can be beneficial
  • Used to make living rooms feel warmer, especially at night, because it reflects less.
• Surface preparation warnings
  • Matte does not “hide everything.”
  • Don’t skip sanding—imperfections can still show; matte only reduces how visible they are.
• Ceilings
  • The speaker paints ceilings in matte because it reduces visibility of ceiling imperfections.
  • However, matte ceilings still depend on surface quality: if you want imperfections less visible, you must still do proper prep (e.g., joints and skim/coating).

Satin

• Appearance/behavior
  • More reflective than matte, so it can show flaws more.
• Recommended use cases
  • Bathrooms: “paint bathroom ceilings in satin” (recommended for humidity resistance).
• Why/when used
  • Satin can highlight subjective flaws in poor substrate work (bad joints, lack of skim, etc.).
  • But satin’s washability and humid tolerance make it more practical in many rooms.
• The “compromise” idea
  • The speaker mentions “velvet” as a compromise (see below), and then positions satin as another commonly used balanced option.
• Practical caveat
  • Don’t rely on finish alone: correct substrate finishing still matters.

Velvet (newer marketing category; compromise finish)

• Appearance vs. touch
  • Looks matte from the front
  • Feels satin to the touch
  • Visually, it still absorbs imperfections more than many shinier finishes.
• Pros
  • Marketed as the best compromise between:
    • Matte’s look (less reflective, hides issues better)
    • Satin/gloss’s washing/cleanability
• Cautions
  • Backlighting problems: on long walls facing bay windows or low-angle light, velvet can reveal issues or look unattractive.
  • Traffic/close viewing: roller marks and imperfections may become visible up close.
• Brand-specific issue mentioned
  • Some velvet paints (example: “Innova”) may leave marks while drying—even small contact can leave stains like a finger in flour.
  • The speaker suggests similar issues may exist across the market, especially in damp or high-traffic areas (like hallways).

Semi-satin / Semi-gloss (subcategories)

• Between matte and satin, you may find semi-satin.
• Between satin and gloss, you may find semi-gloss.
• These are treated as in-between options balancing reflectivity and practicality.

Gloss (and “lakes” / very high gloss)

• Use case framing
  • Higher gloss means very strong reflectivity and very easy cleaning, but it also increases the risk of showing surface flaws.
• Ceiling clarification
  • The speaker strongly implies ceilings require careful choice: even with shine resistance, gloss can amplify problems in reflective lighting situations.
• Recommendation (interior doors)
  • The speaker prefers glossy finishes on interior doors.
• Material/technology considerations for durability
  • Microporous coatings designed for wood are said to resist:
    • friction/wear
    • scratches
  • For extra protection, lacquer can be added, but:
    • it needs special surface preparation
    • it requires precise and quick application
    • it may not suit a simple “DIY on any door” approach (contrasted with IKEA-style readiness)

Bathroom and humidity: key misconception corrected

• The speaker explicitly addresses a misconception:
  • There is no special “ceiling paint specifically for bathrooms” in the way many people think.
• What exists instead:
  • Satin or gloss paints that can be used on bathroom ceilings because they handle moisture better.
• But these finishes do not replace:
  • ventilation
  • a properly functioning mechanical ventilation system
  • a window (as applicable)
• Supporting anecdote:
  • Even with satin/gloss paint and proper elements present, the speaker describes a real case where water damage still occurred, reinforcing that paint isn’t the only solution.

Steps the speaker recommends before painting humid/high-traffic areas

• Skimming / surface prep for better durability
  • Before painting bathrooms/humid/high-traffic areas, the speaker recommends:
    • skim the surface
    • use cross-hatching finishing strokes
  • Goal:
    • achieve nicer walls
    • reduce the chance that unsightly marks ruin the final result

Where “Portuguese-style” preferences fit (as described)

• The speaker claims some people (framed as “Portuguese”) like walls that shine from floor to ceiling.
• Rationale given:
  • cleanability
  • a “sanitizing effect” that makes the environment feel healthy
• The speaker personally uses glossy/satin-like finishes mainly in:
  • toilets
  • bathrooms
  • kitchens
  • hallways
• Caveat:
  • Very long hallways can create lighting angles (backlighting) that highlight flaws.

Conclusion / overall takeaway

Understanding paint finishes helps you:

• choose the correct finish per room conditions
• avoid relying only on marketing terminology
• match the finish to humidity, cleaning needs, and tolerance for imperfections
• remember that prep quality (sanding, skim, joint work) matters as much as—often more than—the paint choice.

Speakers or sources featured

• Speaker (unnamed): the video presenter who explains paint finish terminology and specular gloss.
• Manufacturers/brands mentioned (as examples):
  • Unica (example product name: “Colline et vos maths”)
  • Maestro (used as a labeled scheme/scale in the explanation)
  • Murât (example mentioned in the “velvet” discussion)
  • Innova (example of velvet paint allegedly leaving marks during drying)
  • Halak (used in the “lacquer” discussion)
  • “DTU 59.1” (a standard/source referenced for research; not a person)