Satin is a luxurious fabric that has been around for years. It is a fabric that is used for apparel, upholstery and bedding. It is a soft and elegant material that can make your garments stand out from the rest.
The term satin originates from a Chinese port city called Quanzhou, which was an important shipping center for silk during the Middle Ages. Arab merchants from the city began referring to the silk they brought from China as zayton, and the word has evolved into the modern English name of satin.
Historically, the fabric was made from silk but it is now made from various other filament fibers, often nylon or polyester. These synthetic fibers offer durability, shine and cost efficiency, but they are not as absorbent as silk and tend to not breathe as well.
A Satin Weave
A satin weave is a type of weaving pattern that uses a warp yarn floats over and under weft threads in an arrangement that creates a shiny front side with a dull back. The weft threads are organized over a number of interlacings, and the warp is float over and under them in an arrangement that results in a smooth surface on the front of the fabric and a dull back.
For walls and ceilings in high-traffic areas, like a mudroom, satin or eggshell paints work best. For interior trim and doors, most homeowners choose semi-gloss or high gloss paint. They also use satin paint for exterior siding because it resists scratches, mold, fading and moisture damage.