Understanding the difference between paint sheens and how each can create various moods and dimensions in a space is an excellent way to impress your customers. Imagine wowing your customers by describing each sheen, their functional and aesthetic qualities, and the many possibilities for mixing and matching to create a truly unique space.   Selecting the best paint sheen for your client’s space requires understanding how sheen level affects light, color, and texture and keeping up with the latest trends and technology. We caught up with Behr’s Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color & Creative, and Sid Maxey, Senior Director of Research & Development for the latest and greatest in paint sheens.     Sheen Technology Sheen determines how much light reflects off the coating. Lower sheens absorb light, giving a matte finish, and higher sheens reflect light, giving a glossier finish.     Traditionally, a lower sheen has been achieved by adding more extender pigmentation like calcium carbonate, talcs, micas, etc.   If you looked at it under magnification, it would kind of look like the surface of the moon or like a mountain range,” said Maxey. This surface texture absorbs the light, creating a matte finish.   To create a higher sheen, the ratio of binder to extender pigmentation increases, giving you that smooth, reflective look.   The benefit of a more matte sheen is that the texture not only absorbs light, but also hides imperfections in the wall; however, it’s not as scuff-resistant.   Because the rough material sticks out like mountain ranges, when your shoulder rubs against them on a wall, you break the peaks off of those mountains, creating scuffing, marring, and a sheen differential,” said Maxey.   That breakage is why lower-sheen paint has not historically been considered as durable or cleanable as higher-sheen paint.   Luckily, as the world of paint evolves to meet the needs of professional painters and end users, chemists like Maxey get the opportunity to be creative and build new technologies. In this instance, it’s creating a lower-sheen paint without using a high concentration of extender pigments, giving both high hide and durability.   If you can get rid of those pigments, then you don't have anything to break, which means that your products are more resistant to scuffing and marring,” says Maxey.   Today, BEHR ULTRA® Interior Paint is a great example of a paint specifically designed to offer that high hide of an ultralow sheen and durability.   And that was achieved through advanced technology,” said Maxey. This durability can be especially important when dealing with darker colors. “If you have a very flat sheen in a navy blue, sometimes marring can happen just by touching it. With BEHR ULTRA Interior Paint, you can get really vivid colors without the risk of sheen change.”   [caption id="attachment_1904" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Walls: Dark Secret PPU26-23A[/caption]   2025 Sheen Design Trends Of course, if you only talk to your clients about the functionality of a sheen, you are missing half its appeal.   Sheen can have a big impact on the mood and atmosphere of a space if you know how to use it,” said Woelfel. “It can bounce light around in really interesting ways.”   One area where sheen can play a big role is in color drenching. Color drenching is when you use a single color for everything in the room (ceiling, walls, trim, baseboard, door, etc.).   There are a couple of approaches that I think have been really interesting from a design-and-paint-application perspective,” said Woelfel.   Single sheen: “You can create a very sophisticated and cohesive look if you’re just using all one sheen, like matte for example, in an entire room,” said Woelfel. [caption id="attachment_1905" align="alignnone" width="2073"] Walls: Cracked Pepper PPU18-01; Ceiling: Weathered White HDC-NT-21[/caption] Different sheens on different substrates: This follows the more traditional use of sheens, but it creates dimensionality in a color-drenched room. “You can use sheen to highlight architectural features. For example, flat on the walls and semi-gloss on the ceiling can capture the light in an interesting way and create a dynamic atmosphere,” said Woelfel. [caption id="attachment_1906" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Walls & Ceiling: Rumors MQ1-15[/caption] Sheens can help create architectural features: A chair rail is one way to create architectural interest in a room, but you can take it a step further by doing it with paint. “It is an effective look when the upper wall above the chair rail is painted a matte finish and the lower wall is a higher sheen,” said Woelfel. [caption id="attachment_1907" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Upper Wall: Perfect Taupe PPU18-13; Lower Wall: Aubergine N100-7; Trim & Ceiling: Blank Canvas DC-003[/caption] Dual-sheen feature: In addition to texture and light reflection, sheen also affects the appearance of color. As the sheen goes up, the color appears darker. Because of this, layering different sheens on the wall in the same color can create shifts of color and dimensionality. One idea is to paint the wall in a matte sheen and then overlay a design in the same color with a glossier sheen. [caption id="attachment_1908" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Walls & Graphic Overlay: Weathered White HDC-NT-21; Trim: Whipped Cream DC-001[/caption] Sheens are something that I think contractors should explore as they’re doing different projects. It just adds another layer of professionalism. Plus, you can create some really dynamic décors and appealing aesthetics when you get the sheen right,” said Woelfel.   Regardless of whether you are working to create a design that is traditional or modern, or you’re looking to deliver durability in a heavily trafficked space, sheens are an exciting talking point when communicating with a customer.   If you have paint sheen questions or want to learn more, contact your local BEHR® Pro Rep.  

Painters are no strangers to ladders, and since safe ladder usage protects your crews and your bottom line, it’s imperative that everyone on the job site is well-trained in ladder safety.    March, recognized as National Ladder Safety Month by the American Ladder Institute* (ALI), is the perfect time to renew your commitment to a safe job site.   Treat Ladder Safety Month as a reminder to prioritize ladder safety every day and continuously improve a safe work environment,” says Joe Zgrabik**, account executive for ALI.       ALI is not alone in this initiative. In 2025, nearly 25 organizations have committed to sponsoring Ladder Safety Month including longtime sponsor and leader in the climbing industry, Werner Ladder.   Ladder Safety Month is an ideal time to revisit ladder safety practices, encourage communication and behaviors on job sites, and provide education to ensure the job is finished safely. While Werner Ladder focuses on safety year-round, we also offer unique national training events, webinars, and programs during March and May,” says Michael Cameron**, QSSP, technical service – fall protection at Werner Ladder. “During March, the Werner Jobsite Safety and Security (JSS) team conducts onsite safety training and hosts free webinars. Safety topics include ‘Ladder Safety and Setup’ and ‘Fall Protection Best Practices’.”   With more than 15 years of experience in the use, design, manufacture, testing, and qualification of fall protection products and systems, Cameron is well-versed in ladder safety. He shared some of the most common mistakes along with some important safety tips to keep yourself and your crew safe on the job.      Ladder Safety Tips    The first step in ladder selection is choosing the right style of ladder for the job,” says Cameron. “Secondly, it’s important to choose the appropriate ladder based on the maximum height of the project. For example, the ladder should extend three feet beyond the top of the property when painting soffits or eaves.”   After selecting the appropriate ladder, inspect the ladder to ensure that it’s safe to use. Some things to look for include:      Ladder rungs are secure and free from damage.  There are no bends or cracks in the side rails.   Ladder feet are intact and provide proper grab.  Ladder safety labels and load capacity are visible and intact.    Ladder load capacity supports the user’s weight, plus any tools or materials needed.      Note: If you do find yourself with an unsafe ladder, be a good friend to your community and properly dispose of it.   One idea is to cut it vertically down the middle so it can’t be used by someone else,” says Zgrabik.   Once you’ve selected and inspected your ladder, proper use is critical to safety. Cameron noted these important safety precautions:    Maintain 3 points of contact. That’s two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot.  Keep from overreaching: Stay centered on the ladder. Leaning too far in any direction can cause falls.   Take tools and paint safely up and down the ladder: Remember three points of contact. Werner offers a LOCK-IN Ladder Top with LOCK-IN Accessories that allows painters to safely and conveniently hold tools, painting supplies, and of course BEHR Paint on the top of the ladder.   Stay level: If you must put a ladder on an uneven surface, there are multiple tools available to ensure the ladder is level. Werner recently released the Werner LevelSafe Pro which automatically levels your ladder on uneven terrain up to 8 1/2”.      In addition to these important tips, certified training in ladder safety is the best way to be prepared. Here are some ideas to get the most out of Ladder Safety Month this year:    Ladder Safety Certification: ALI offers a free online ladder safety course and one-year certification. ALI’s Ladder Safety Training Program consists of four modules: Stepladder Safety, Single and Extension Ladder Safety, Articulated Ladder Safety, and Mobile Ladder Safety,” says Zgrabik.   Recertify annually: If your job involves frequent ladder use, it’s tempting to think you already know all there is to know about safety. However, don’t let complacency set in. Taking an annual refresher course is a great way to renew your safety IQ.   Consider in-person training: In addition to online courses, there are plenty of options for on-site training. Werner Ladder offers a variety of on-site opportunities that are tailored to specific job and application needs.   Foster a culture of safety: Participating in training events and enforcement of safe practices keeps everyone safer on the job site. It’s important to raise safety awareness and encourage others to report any safety concerns.    We can all have a hand in making sure that job sites are safe and efficient.       For more ladder safety tips, visit laddersafetymonth.com/safety-resources/flyers.  For more information on Werner Ladder, visit wernerco.com.      *The American Ladder Institute does not approve or endorse any product. **There is no affiliation/partnership between Behr Paint Company and the individuals quoted. 

Spitting and poor fan pattern are obvious indicators that it’s time to dial in your paint sprayer. However, even when you’ve achieved the perfect coverage, it doesn’t mean you have the most efficient setup. If you’re looking for more speed, less overspray, or less wear and tear on your machine, it might be time to study up on tips. Who better to help us navigate the array of tip choices, than spray equipment authority, Graco.     Spray Tip Sizes Using the right tip for the application is the first step to ensure a successful and efficient paint job,” says Tyler Sterner*, Global Product Marketing Manager at Graco.   He recommends that pro painters start by understanding different tip sizes.   The spray tip has three to four printed numbers. The first digit, or the first two digits in the case of four total digits, represents the fan width. The second two digits denote orifice size, which determines the amount of paint that flows through the spray tip.   Fan Width – Multiply the first number by two to get your fan width in inches. Paint Flow – The second two numbers are measured in thousandths of an inch.     Tip choice depends on the coating, application and experience of the operator. Refer to the back of the can or TDS for recommendations appropriate for that coating. Of course, with thicker coatings, you need a larger orifice, but many paint products generally indicate a 515 or 517,” says Sterner. “The RAC X LP 517 comes standard on all Graco professional airless units.” Overall, these suggestions are general and don’t account for every specific application; just like there is a diverse range of application possibilities, there’s an array of tip options to meet each need.   Speed First, consider the size of the surface. If you’re spraying a tilt-up wall on the exterior of a commercial building, the 517 will work, but it isn’t going to give you the speed you want.”   For this application, Sterner suggests considering a Wide RAC Low Pressure 1227 which features a 24-inch fan pattern and a wider orifice to increase flow. “It makes the job significantly faster.” Second, keep in mind the operator. The larger orifice allows for higher flow and thus faster spraying. However, it doesn’t only allow faster spraying, it requires it. If you have someone less experienced on the gun moving too slowly, it can cause runs and sags,” says Sterner. “A smaller orifice will be more forgiving to a newer operator.”   Finally, spray tips don’t improve with age. If you believe performance has improved after the tip has had many gallons sprayed, it’s more likely that the orifice has gotten larger over time resulting in higher flow and a thicker millage on the wall. I’ve had a lot of painters tell me that they are happier with the speed after they’ve sprayed many gallons of paint through the tip. Most of these contractors didn’t realize they could purchase tips with larger orifice sizes, enabling them to apply paint much faster.”   Sterner recommends bumping up an orifice size or two so you can get your desired production speed right out of the box.     Overspray Smaller jobs like cabinet doors or spindles have different requirements. Here, the fan width should match up as closely as possible to the surface size. This not only reduces overspray, but it also decreases wasted paint. If you are using a 310 on spindles, you’re likely to get four to five inches of overspray. You can catch the overspray with cardboard, but you’re wasting a lot of coating. An FF LP108 would be a much better option,” says Sterner. Wear and Tear Paint is basically liquid sandpaper running through the spray system. Higher pressure creates higher speed and velocity, which means the parts are eroding faster,” says Sterner.   To extend the lifespan, use RAC X Low-Pressure SwitchTips, the latest breakthrough in Graco’s portfolio of offerings. These tips allow you to set the pressure on your machine to about half of what regular tips would require while still maintaining an even, consistent fan pattern.   This has a lot of advantages including cutting your overspray and making everything in your spray system last longer.”   Sterner notes that you should always test your tips and pressure settings on a piece of cardboard before you begin your project.   Sterner adds that some contractors assume low-pressure tips are only suitable for finishing applications. RAC X Low-Pressure SwitchTips are designed for every architectural paint project, from small-scale jobs to large commercial applications. No matter the scope, we have a low-pressure spray tip that meets your production needs.”     With the right paint and application methods, you can grow customer satisfaction, referrals and your business. Be sure to keep up with all of Graco’s latest products and techniques by visiting this page for helpful tips.       *There is no affiliation/partnership between Behr Paint Company and the individual quoted.