Question About Paint Colour

[woofgang]

I am choosing a new wall colour and have got it down to two shades of the same colour. I have painted two tester squares but one is satin and the other is matt. I want a satin finish.
so, two questions to help me make my mind up
All other things being equal
1. does a satin finish to paint make the paint colour appear lighter or darker when the room is painted?
and
2. assuming a satin finish, does the pain colour appear lighter or darker once the whole room is painted than if does on a 2ft by 2 ft tester square?

Thanks oh wise ones.

[boxtops]

The satin finish is slightly reflective, which I like - matt just absorbs the light in the room. The colour ought to be the same but it's the effect which is different.

[woofgang]

boxy, that's why I said "appear" You are right, the satin finish will reflect the light and I wonder whether that will make the shade appear darker or lighter. For instance, a wet or varnished pebble's colour will appear darker than the same pebble when its dry, but my gut feels that increasing the reflectivity of a wall would make the wall colour appear lighter....hence my question.

[Old_Geezer]

:-)
but you have 2 tester squares so you are in the best position to decide.

[woofgang]

indeed old geezer but one is satin and one is matt and they are only squares, not the whole room.

[theshedman]

Another thing to think about is are the walls nice and flat as a satin finish will show up any defects in them. On the other hand a satin finish can be wiped off easily if you get any marks on them.

[Old_Geezer]

I suspect it unlikely anyone has had a room of satin and a room of matt in the same colour to compare. It's just in my opinion having tester squares is probably about the best comparison you will get. If you can't tell much difference from them it probably doesn't make much difference which you choose.

[woofgang]

walls are smooth shedman.
OG I am asking for an "in principle" answer. I am sure that there are people on here who decorate for a living who will know the answer!

[jomifl]

The satin reflects incident light but only at a low angle. You do need a very flat surface for satin to work if viewed at low angles and most plaster isn't up to it. I would go for the matt as the effect is more predictable.

[woofgang]

okay, thank you all for your answers none of which, with respect, are relevant to my questions.........

[jomifl]

Satin paint does not reflect incident light at right angles any more than matt paint. It reflects without adding colour to the reflected light so if you have wall lamps or windows which cast light at a low angle then this light will be reflected more so there will be more light but it will be the colour of the light source, not of the paint. It probably won't be very noticeable though. Why not take a photo of the squares together as digital cameras are more sensitive to different levels of brightness than the human eye.

[woofgang]

Jomifli, thank you, now we are getting somewhere. I did that (digital image of the testers)
So are you saying with regard to paint, that there will be no appreciable apparent difference between the colour in matt finish and the colour in satin finish?
What about the effect of the colour of the whole room as opposed to the tester.
square?

divebuddy I am asking simple factual questions...I am not looking for opinion.

[jomifl]

If there is no discernable difference between the testers on your digital camera (with them both in the same frame) then I think the difference in (colour)effect on the room will be negligeable. Go for whichever finish, matt or satin appeals to you. I had a brief dalliance with satin in a narrow hallway, the results were disastrous, she never spoke to me again.

[woofgang]

sorry, there is a definite difference between the two shades. I am wondering how much of the difference is due to the fact that one sample is matt and the other is satin.

[pixie373]

Matt appears darker, satin lighter.

[woofgang]

thank you pixie, that is helpful! Can I ask if that is your opinion or the way that most people would see it?

[pixie373]

Most people. It reflects more light. We have literally painted over matt, with silk or satin to "brighten it up".

[theshedman]

A satin finish will only seem to make the room lighter when there is a light source on it. If the colour of both is the same then they will be the same. The only real reason for choosing either is your preference for one or the other or the reasons I put in my first reply.

[pixie373]

They aren't the same, hence the different finishes.

[carrust]

You can get the best of both worlds by using washable matt. I personally dislike shiny walls, especially in older houses.