How to Choose the Right Sheen Level for Timber Coatings
The sheen level you specify influences cleanability, how forgiving the surface is to maintain, how visible marks and scratches are, and how the colour reads in the room. Getting it right matters, especially on high-end joinery.
Sheen is measured as a percentage of light reflectance at 60°. Zero is completely flat; 100 is a mirror. In practice, coatings sit in named bands across that scale, but the percentage is what matters, not the label, which varies between manufacturers.
Ankocryl Interior Topcoat (17-087X)
A single-component waterborne topcoat based on a self-crosslinking acrylic/polyurethane dispersion. Available in four sheens:
| Code | Name | Sheen |
|---|---|---|
| 17-0870 | Nature Matt | 2-7% |
| 17-0871 | Matt | 12-17% |
| 17-0873 | Semi-Matt | 25-30% |
| 17-0878 | Gloss | >70% |
17-0871 Matt (12-17%) — Our Most Specified Sheen
This is our go-to for kitchen cabinetry and interior joinery, and by far the most popular in the range. At 12-17%, it gives a clean, refined finish without the reflectivity that draws attention to surface variation. It wipes down easily and sits in that practical middle ground that most joiners and kitchen manufacturers come back to by default.
Why Lower Sheen Works Better on Dark Colours
On dark colours such as deep blues, anthracites and blacks, lower sheen levels like the 17-0871 or 17-0870 are strongly preferred for one practical reason: fingermarks, light scratches and cleaning streaks show far more obviously on a dark gloss surface. A flat or low-sheen dark finish diffuses light rather than reflecting it, so the surface reads as clean even when it is not perfect. Higher sheens on dark colours will show every touch and wipe, which creates an ongoing maintenance problem for the end client.
17-0870 Nature Matt (2-7%)
As close to an uncoated surface as you can get with a topcoat. At 2-7% sheen, the finish is very flat and the natural grain character of the timber remains dominant.
17-0873 Semi-Matt (25-30%)
A step up in cleanability from the matt. At 25-30%, the surface has more resistance to marks and is easier to wipe down, without introducing noticeable reflectivity.
17-0878 Gloss (>70%)
At over 70% sheen, this is a highly reflective finish. Substrate preparation needs to be thorough at this level as surface irregularities will show. On dark colours, marks and cleaning streaks are more visible.
Ankocryl Interior Clear Lacquer (40-71XX)
A waterborne clear lacquer for natural timber finishes. Can be used as a 1K system or upgraded to 2K with the 40-760 Aplexol Aqua Multi Hardener for demanding applications. Four sheens available:
| Code | Sheen | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 40-7100 | 2-5% | Near-invisible protection, natural wood character |
| 40-7101 | 5-10% | Furniture, panelling, feature joinery |
| 40-7103 | 25-30% | Interior joinery, commercial fit-out |
| 40-7108 | 80-90% | Bar tops, feature pieces, high-gloss furniture |
Hydrolux Exterior Topcoat (17-06XX)
KOMO-certified waterborne exterior topcoat using Tri-Cryl® binder technology. Suitable for Accoya, softwoods, and most exterior timber species. Three sheens:
| Code | Name | Sheen |
|---|---|---|
| 17-0648 | Semi-Matt | 35% |
| 17-0649 | Semi-Gloss | 55% |
| 17-0650 | Gloss | 70% |
On exterior timber, sheen also affects practical performance. Higher sheen surfaces shed water more efficiently, which reduces moisture cycling and biological growth. The trade-off is that they are more demanding to apply as lap marks, texture variation and runs are more visible. The same mark-visibility issue with dark colours applies outdoors too.
- 17-0648 Semi-Matt — At 35%, this is the flattest option in the Hydrolux range. It is more forgiving on application and easier to blend on maintenance work.
- 17-0649 Semi-Gloss — At 55%, this sits in the mid-range and offers a balance between water-shedding performance and application tolerance.
- 17-0650 Gloss — At 70%, this is the highest sheen in the exterior range. Application conditions and substrate flatness are more critical at this level.
Hydrolux-coated surfaces can be maintained using Hydrotop brush coating, available in white and colour.
Ankolux Aqua Woodcoat (16-0221)
Available in a single 25% sheen, giving a light satin finish that suits the translucent, UV-resistant nature of this product.
- Dark colours interior: lower sheens diffuse light and show marks less
- 17-0871 Matt (12-17%) is our most widely used interior sheen
- Lower sheens retain more of the timber's natural surface character
- Higher exterior sheens shed water more efficiently but are less forgiving to apply
- Higher sheen requires more thorough substrate preparation
