When specifying aluminium cladding, colour often receives the most attention. However, one equally important decision can have a significant impact on the finished appearance of a building: gloss level.
Whether selecting a matt, satin or gloss finish, the amount of light reflected from a coated surface influences how colours are perceived, how façades interact with their surroundings and the overall architectural character of a project.
Understanding these differences early in the design process can help architects and specifiers achieve the desired visual outcome while ensuring the finish is appropriate for the building's environment and intended application.
Understanding Gloss Levels
Gloss refers to the amount of light reflected from a coated surface. Higher gloss finishes reflect more light, creating a brighter and more vibrant appearance, while matt finishes diffuse light to produce a softer, more understated aesthetic.
Rather than thinking of finishes as simply "shiny" or "flat", gloss exists across a spectrum, with common architectural options including matt, satin, semi-gloss and gloss finishes. Each creates a different visual effect, even when applied to exactly the same colour.
Why Gloss Levels Matter
When Matt Finishes Are the Right Choice
Matt finishes have become increasingly popular across contemporary commercial architecture due to their refined and understated appearance.
Benefits of matt finishes include:
- Reduced glare and light reflection
- A softer, more contemporary aesthetic
- Colours that appear more natural and understated
- A finish that can minimise the appearance of minor surface irregularities across large façades
- Excellent suitability for expansive commercial and industrial elevations.
Matt finishes are commonly specified for commercial offices, education facilities, healthcare projects, warehouses and residential developments where a subtle architectural finish is preferred.
When Gloss Finishes Are More Appropriate
Gloss finishes provide greater reflectivity and can enhance the depth and vibrancy of colour.
They are often selected where architects want to create stronger visual impact or emphasise feature elements within a façade.
Benefits of gloss finishes include:
- Greater colour depth and vibrancy
- Increased visual impact
- Enhanced reflectivity
- A finish that can highlight metallic and pearlescent coatings
- Strong presentation for feature panels and branded environments
Gloss finishes are frequently used for retail developments, corporate buildings, automotive facilities and projects where bold architectural expression is desired.
Environmental Considerations
The surrounding environment should also influence gloss selection.
Factors such as building orientation, sunlight, neighbouring buildings and viewing distance all affect how a finish will be perceived once installed.In areas with strong sunlight, matt finishes may help reduce glare, while gloss finishes can create dramatic visual effects by reflecting changing light conditions throughout the day.
Considering these factors during specification helps ensure the finished façade performs as intended from both a visual and practical perspective.
Standard and Custom Gloss Levels
Every project has its own design objectives, which is why gloss level should be considered alongside colour selection rather than as an afterthought.
In addition to standard finish options, project-specific gloss levels can often be achieved to suit individual design requirements. Whether matching an existing material palette, responding to planning requirements or achieving a particular architectural vision, selecting the appropriate gloss level allows architects greater control over the final appearance of the building.
Reviewing physical samples under natural lighting conditions remains one of the most effective ways to evaluate both colour and gloss before final approval.
Choosing the Right Finish
There is no universally "better" finish. The most appropriate choice depends on the architectural intent, surrounding environment and the visual outcome the project is seeking to achieve.
By considering gloss level as carefully as colour, architects and specifiers can create façades that not only perform well but also deliver the precise aesthetic they envisioned from the earliest stages of design.
For more information on Coatings you may also like to download a copy of our Whitepaper: Aluminium Facade Coating Systems - A Specifier Gruide for Australian Conditions