Whether you have a brand new home or want to have your house repainted, the type of paint you choose can have a major effect on the look and vibe you want to achieve. However, the different choices available in the hardware or paint store can make that a daunting task. To better understand what options are available to you, read this article to learn more about the different types of paint.
Different Types of Paint
Oil-Based vs. Water-Based Paint
Paint is either water-based or oil-based, meaning the paint’s main ingredient is either water or a type of oil. Here are the pros and cons of each:
Oil-Based Paint
• Drying and curing time takes longer
• More durable than water-based paint
• Cleaning paintbrushes requires chemicals like paint thinner
• Often provides a much smoother finish
Water-Based Paint
• Drying and curing takes less time
• Isn’t quite as durable
• Cleanup doesn’t require chemicals – soap and water will do
• More common than oil-based paint
Consider using oil-based paint on surfaces that usually take a beating like exteriors, floors, doors, and trim. Meanwhile, water-based paint is great for areas that don’t see a whole lot of wear and tear like ceilings and walls.
Water-based paint is also known as latex paint, even though it uses vinyl or acrylic resins instead of actual latex. Water-based paint is the most common type of paint. About 75% of paint available in stores is water-based.
Primer
Primer is an important component of the painting process. It has the same consistency as paint and applied the same way, but it is not used as a final coat on anything. Applying a primer before applying paint allows the primer to act as an “adhesive” for the paint to stick to. It adds durability and longevity. Primer is applied to new, clean surfaces that aren’t already painted. For example, if you are painting a wall that’s never been painted before, you will want to use a primer.
In some circumstances, a primer may not be necessary. For instance, if you are painting over a previous paint job that used a similar shade, you probably won’t need to apply primer. But if you are painting a light color over a dark color, primer can be really helpful. You might need multiple coats of paint to mask the darker shade completely, but you usually need much less primer to cover it up. Also, primer is normally cheaper than actual paint and can save you money.
Paint Sheen
There are different sheens of paint. On one end, there are paint sheens that are not that glossy (flat, matte, eggshell, satin). Flat and matte paints are similar, although matte is a tad more glossy than flat. Usually, matte is more durable than flat. These types of paint are ideal for ceilings because they can hide imperfections much better than high-gloss paint can.
Eggshell and satin paints are more glossy, but can still look fairly matte if you view it at the right angle. If you want something that is durable but still looks a bit flat, eggshell and satin paints are good options.
Semi-gloss and gloss paints are the most durable of sheens. They can take a good scrubbing without rubbing off, so they are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. However, they do reflect light quite a bit and make small imperfections stand out.
Enamel Paint
Generally speaking, enamel paint refers to any paint that has excellent durability and dries to a tough, hard finish which can withstand a lot of abuse. If a paint can has the word “enamel”, you can be assured that it is some of the toughest paint around.
In the past, most enamel paints were oil-based. However, in recent years, many water-based paints have taken on enamel as well. Usually, enamel paint comes in the form of exterior paint and high-temp paint, as well as indoor paints aimed at surfaces that see a lot of abuse, like furniture or kitchen cabinets.
Conclusion
There are different types of paint available on the market. The type of paint you’ll choose is just as important as the color. After reading this post, you can now decide which one is best to use.
Are you searching for the best house painters in Bellevue WA and surrounding areas? Consider PaintGunners. Our team of professional house painters will ensure that your home gets a nice paint job that it deserves. If you have any questions, send a message through our contact page.
