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Matte scatters light for a flat, quiet surface, gloss reflects it like a mirror, and satin sits in between. Choose by the look you want and the upkeep you will accept, not by durability: Jay Scotts describes all 20 of its standard colors as UV-resistant. Look at a free sample in the light the planter will stand in before you decide.
Two planters in the same color can look like different objects. A matte one reads as a solid shape; a gloss one picks up the sky, the house and the plants around it. The finish is the quiet decision in a planter order, and it is simple once you know what each one does.
What is the difference between matte, satin and gloss?
How much light the surface throws back. A matte finish scatters light, so it looks flat and velvety with almost no reflection. A gloss finish reflects light sharply, so you see highlights and the shapes of whatever is nearby in the surface. Satin sits between the two, with a soft sheen but no mirror effect.
The finish is the paint, not the planter. Jay Scotts' Bright White, for example, is offered as both a matte and a gloss finish, so you can compare the same color in two finishes.
How does Jay Scotts group its finishes?
Into two groups. Jay Scotts' color page lists every planter as painted to order in 20 standard finishes, sorted into low gloss and high gloss.
20standard colors, painted to order with an automotive-grade paint system and described as UV-resistant. Jay Scotts, Colors & Finishes.
Our listings use the more familiar words: matte, satin, gloss and metallic. Satin Beige and Matte Cement Grey sit in the low gloss group. Gloss Eggplant, Gloss Red and Gloss Tangerine, along with the metallic silver, gold and bronze, sit in the high gloss group. Bright White appears in both, which makes it the easiest color to compare across finishes. To start from a color, browse the white planters.
How does light change the way each finish looks?
Matte hides the light source and gloss shows it. On a matte planter the color looks the same from every angle, and the form reads through shape and shadow. On a gloss planter the color shifts through the day as the sun, the sky and the surroundings move across the surface.
Low sun brings out the difference most, which is why a finish that looks plain in a shaded showroom can look quite different on a sunlit terrace. For more on how finish, color and form work together in a scheme, see our guide to styling modern outdoor planters.
Which finish suits which setting?
Low gloss suits a quiet, architectural setting where the planting should lead. High gloss suits a place where the planter itself is meant to be seen. The table is a starting point, not a rule.
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| A calm backdrop that lets the plants lead | Matte (low gloss) |
| A little softness without any shine | Satin (low gloss) |
| A polished, statement planter | Gloss (high gloss) |
| A metal look | Metallic (high gloss group) |
Check the surroundings too. A gloss planter repeats nearby glass, water and foliage, so it suits a pool deck or a glazed entrance, while a matte one sits comfortably against stone, timber and render.
How do you care for each finish?
Both are cleaned the same way, with standard household cleaning products such as dishwashing soap. Jay Scotts' owner's guide says to avoid bleach, power washing, steel wool and abrasives that may scratch the planter.
The difference is waxing. For glossy finishes the guide suggests an annual polish with automotive or marine wax, which enhances the look and adds protection in extreme weather. It does not recommend wax on matte finishes unless the product is formulated for them. Minor scuffs and scratches on glossy finishes can often be buffed out, and Jay Scotts offers touch-up paint kits for nicks and scratches.
Once a yearautomotive or marine wax on glossy finishes; not recommended on matte unless formulated for it. Jay Scotts owner's guide.
Our care guide covers the rest of the routine.
Can you see a finish before you order?
Yes. Serene Yards sends free color samples of Jay Scotts finishes to your address, so you can see the color and the sheen in person. The samples come directly from Jay Scotts, the manufacturer.
Look at the sample outdoors, in sun and in shade, and hold it next to the stone, timber or glass the planter will stand beside. A screen can show a color, but not the sheen, which is the part this guide is about.
Shop the collection
Jay Scotts fiberglass planters
Painted to order in 20 UV-resistant colors, with free color samples to check a finish before you order.
Browse Jay Scotts plantersFrequently asked questions
Is gloss or matte better for outdoor planters?
Neither is better outdoors. Jay Scotts describes all 20 of its standard colors as UV-resistant, so the finish does not decide sun resistance. You are choosing a look and an upkeep routine.
Do glossy planters need waxing?
Jay Scotts suggests an annual polish with automotive or marine wax on glossy finishes. It does not recommend wax on matte finishes unless the product is formulated for them.
Does every planter come in every finish?
Most Jay Scotts planters are offered across the range, and each product page lists its own colors. The Woodland Collection is the exception: it comes in a single wood-grain finish and is kept finished in stock, shipping within 1 to 2 business days.
Can I get a color that is not on the list?
Yes. Jay Scotts offers custom color application on request. Custom color fees may apply and are non-refundable, so confirm the color with a free sample first.
Can I mix finishes in one planting scheme?
Yes. Keeping one color and varying the finish, or keeping one finish and varying the color, tends to look deliberate. Changing both at once tends to look busy.
