Gone are the days of ultra glossy finishes. Homeowners are now choosing understated, flat finishes with less shine.
Just like photos, glossy is just that – glossy; reflecting light, shiny, lustrous and practically unignorable. Matte finish is that flat finish that your fingers don’t stick to. It can look dull, but it looks much more natural and is often a stylistic choice for both flooring and photos.
Satin Finished Wood Floors
A perfect compromise in between glossy and matte, satin finishes are (typically) about 40% lustrous (i.e., shiny). As the trends change and homeowners are beginning to prefer less polished flooring, satin is not such a drastic step. It’s a practical step back and was the most popular flooring finish in 2016.
The great thing about this middle-of-the-road option is you can be (almost) certain that this finish will never go out of style. I believe trends will go more and more towards matte finishes as the years go on, but eventually, that trend will change and we will be moving back towards the glossier looks.
This means satin finishes will stay current through all of that, making them the safest choice for the longest life of your floor.
Matte Finished Wood Floors
Previously thought of as dull and boring, matte finished wood floors are stepping into the spotlight. While people are still leaning towards satin finishes, this trend is in the very early stages and hasn’t yet reached its prime.
Personally, I am all about the matte look. Just a personal preference, but I do not like my floors shiny. Unless it’s bathroom tile.
While I don’t predict matte finish will be the thing forever, it will likely continue to grow in popularity over the next 5-10 years.
