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At ProAcoustics LLC, our color and gloss evaluations follow internationally recognized measurement standards to ensure precision, consistency, and repeatability—regardless of the lighting conditions, substrate, or paint manufacturer.
Gloss is quantified in Gloss Units (GU) according to ASTM D523 and ISO 2813, the two global standards for specular gloss measurement. These standards define three universal measurement geometries:
Our equipment captures gloss at 60° and 85°, which are the most relevant for interior architectural applications such as drywall, cabinetry, doors, trims, and built-ins.
The following GU ranges are widely recognized in the architectural coatings industry and are supported by major manufacturers and instrumentation companies:
Gloss Category |
Typical GU Range at 60° |
Description |
|---|---|---|
Flat / Matte |
0–5 GU |
Virtually no light reflection |
Eggshell |
10–25 GU |
Soft, low-reflective sheen ideal for living spaces |
Satin |
26–40 GU |
Light reflection with a modern finish |
Semi-Gloss |
41–70 GU |
Strong reflectance; used for trims and doors |
High-Gloss |
70–100 GU |
Very high reflectance and maximum durability |
Although sheen names vary slightly between brands, the underlying GU ranges remain consistent across the professional coatings industry. The values below reflect the technical definitions used by major U.S. manufacturers:
Sheen Level |
Industry GU Range |
Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
Flat / Matte |
0–5 GU |
Ceilings, bedrooms, low-traffic areas |
Matte |
5–10 GU |
Living areas requiring softness with slight cleanability |
Eggshell |
10–25 GU |
Bedrooms, dining rooms, general interiors |
Pearl / Satin |
26–40 GU |
Kitchens, hallways, surfaces requiring higher durability |
Semi-Gloss |
41–70 GU |
Doors, trims, cabinetry |
High-Gloss |
70–90+ GU |
Decorative features and high-impact accents |
Accurate gloss measurement helps prevent:
Our field measurements provide objective data to support design intent, paint selection, and overall visual quality.
Each paint manufacturer uses its own naming conventions for sheen levels, so it is common for homeowners, contractors, and designers to encounter inconsistencies when comparing finishes across brands. Although the gloss values (GU) fall within similar ranges industry-wide, the terminology and exact definitions vary, and this often affects visual appearance under different lighting conditions.
The table below provides a direct comparison of equivalent sheen levels across the leading architectural coatings manufacturers in the U.S.:
Industry Sheen |
Typical GU Range (60°) |
Sherwin-Williams |
Benjamin Moore |
PPG |
Dunn-Edwards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat / Matte | 0–5 GU | Flat | Flat / Ultra-Flat | Flat | Flat |
| Matte | 5–10 GU | Matte | Matte | — (often merged into flat or eggshell) | Velvet / Low-Sheen Flat |
| Eggshell | 10–25 GU | Eg-Shel (Egg-Shell) | Eggshell | Eggshell | Eggshell |
| Low-Lustre / Pearl / Satin | 26–40 GU | Satin | Pearl (Regal) / Satin (Aura) | Satin | Low-Sheen / Velvet / Satin |
| Semi-Gloss | 41–70 GU | Semi-Gloss | Semi-Gloss | Semi-Gloss | Semi-Gloss |
| High-Gloss / Gloss | 70–100 GU | Gloss / High-Gloss | High-Gloss | High-Gloss | High-Gloss |
Uses the progression Flat → Matte → Eg-Shel → Satin → Semi-Gloss → Gloss. Their “Eg-Shel” is often slightly lower-gloss than Benjamin Moore’s Eggshell depending on the product line.
Differentiates Pearl and Satin, where Pearl sits between eggshell and satin. BM’s Matte is a soft-flat finish ideal for premium interior applications.
PPG often merges matte with flat depending on the product line. Satin finishes tend to be slightly lower-gloss than some Sherwin-Williams satin products at comparable GU.
Offers Velvet as an intermediate sheen between flat and eggshell, with very tight GU controls driven by West Coast architectural standards.
Because sheen names differ across brands, the same “satin” can appear softer, shinier, warmer, or cooler depending on color, binder, and lighting. Our gloss and color measurements provide objective GU values so that designers and homeowners can match finishes accurately—regardless of the manufacturer.