Puolikiiltävä

Puolikiiltävä is a Finnish term used to describe a surface finish that lies between matte (mat) and high-gloss (kiiltävä). It denotes a moderate sheen and light reflection, with the exact gloss level defined by standards and the material in question. In practice, puolikiiltävä finishes provide enough luster to highlight contours while remaining relatively easy to wipe clean.

Etymology and usage: The word is a compound of puol- (half, semi) and kiiltävä (shiny). The inflected form puolikiiltävää is used in Finnish grammar when the adjective modifies a noun in the partitive case, for example in phrases like “puolikiiltävää pintaa” (semi-gloss surface).

Characteristics: Visually, puolikiiltävä surfaces have softer, noticeable reflections without the mirror-like quality of high-gloss finishes. Tactilely they are typically smooth. They are generally more resistant to fingerprints and easier to clean than matte finishes, while still emphasizing surface textures and details more than a matt surface.

Measurement and standards: Gloss level is often specified using gloss units (GU) at a defined angle, commonly 60 degrees. Semi-gloss finishes typically occupy a middle range between matte and glossy values, with variability depending on product formulations and testing standards.

Applications: Puolikiiltävä finishes are popular in interior design and furniture, including walls, doors, trim, and cabinetry. They are also used on metals and plastics where a balanced, moderate sheen is desired.

See also: Gloss finish, Matte finish, Finish (coatings), Sheen.