Sheen rarely gets the attention that species and color do in early design conversations, but it has just as much influence on how a finished floor feels. A high gloss floor and a matte floor made from the exact same board can read as two completely different products once the light hits them, which makes sheen one of the more overlooked variables in a spec sheet.
Gloss level is measured on a scale, with matte sitting at the low end and high gloss at the top. Most residential and commercial specs today land somewhere in the middle to low range, since very high gloss finishes tend to show scuffs, dust, and footprints more readily. That said, high gloss still has a place, particularly in spaces where a polished, formal look is part of the design brief.
What Matte Finishes Bring To A Space
A matte or low sheen finish scatters light rather than reflecting it, which softens the appearance of minor surface wear over time. This makes matte a practical choice for high traffic commercial spaces, family homes, or any project where long term appearance matters more than a mirror like shine.
Matte finishes have also become closely tied to the natural, understated look many clients are requesting right now. Because the finish sits closer to the wood's actual texture, the grain reads more honestly, which suits interiors built around raw materials and a quieter aesthetic.
What Higher Sheen Finishes Bring To A Space
Higher sheen finishes create more visual depth and can make a room feel brighter, since more light bounces off the surface. This works well in spaces with lower natural light or in more formal rooms where a refined, finished look is the goal.
The tradeoff is maintenance. Higher sheen floors show dust, pet hair, and small scratches more visibly than a matte finish would, so they typically require more frequent cleaning to keep that polished look consistent. For a client who wants a showpiece floor and is prepared for the upkeep, this is a reasonable tradeoff rather than a drawback.
Matching Sheen To The Project
There is no single right answer here, since the correct sheen depends on the room's function, the amount of natural light, and how much maintenance a client is realistically willing to do. A busy household with kids and pets is usually better served by a lower sheen, while a formal entry or a low traffic showroom floor can carry a higher gloss without much downside.
It also helps to think about sheen alongside plank width and tone rather than in isolation, since all three work together to set the overall mood of a room. A wide plank floor in a warm tone with a low sheen finish reads very differently than the same plank and tone in a high gloss, even though the underlying material is identical.
Bringing Sheen Into The Spec Conversation Early
Sheen is easiest to get right when it is part of the conversation from the start, rather than an afterthought once color and species are locked in. Reviewing a larger sample under the actual lighting conditions of the space, rather than a small swatch under showroom lighting, gives a much more accurate sense of how a given sheen level will perform once installed.
At Urban Plank, sheen is one of the variables we walk through directly with architects and designers during the specification process, alongside tone, grade, and plank width. This gives you a clearer picture of how the finished floor will actually look and perform in the space it is going into.
If you are specifying flooring for a project across Holland, Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Traverse City, and Harbor Springs, MI and want to compare sheen options side by side, our team can help you land on the right finish for the space. We work directly with the trade on wide plank European oak flooring, with full support available from Holland, or Zeeland, MI. Contact us to talk through sheen and finish options for your next project.
