For most people, the biggest challenge when it comes to choosing a paint is the colour. They agonise for days in an attempt to pick a suitable colour scheme for the home. One thing they often miss out on however is the importance of the different textures of paint available. Choose the wrong texture paint and your decorating effort could be a complete disaster. We will begin by comparing oil-based paint to latex paint before reviewing other types.
Oil-Based
This is a solvent-thinned coating which spreads easily on surfaces. Most homeowners choose this type of paint when they are decorating commonly visited rooms like the kitchen because of its durability and the fact that it cleans easily. Oil-based paint looks ‘warmer’ than its latex equivalent and survives wear and tear much better. It is also effective when used on woodwork because its finish lasts a long time. One downside to oil-based paint is the fact that it is messy to clean up and you require paint thinner to do so.
Latex
This is a water-thinned coating that can be used as soon as you open the tin. It is easily applied and produces an aesthetically pleasing end product. Latex paint is also extremely easy to clean up with soap and water usually enough to clean it. It is also far less expensive than oil-based paint and is generally popular for those on a budget. The downside with latex paint is the fact that it is not all that durable and wears out more quickly.
It should be noted that you must never put latex paint over oil-based paint as they don’t mix with the latex paint certain to flake almost immediately. You’ll need to add oil-based primer on the old coat of oil paint and allow it to dry for a full day before applying a coat of oil or latex paint. This should prevent the paint from flaking and cause less problems when you want to repaint a room.
Emulsion
Water-based paint with a matt finish which makes it suitable for walls. It should only be used on smooth walls but its silk finish will show up any existing dents in a surface. Most emulsions are washable and can be easily wiped off when wet.
Varnish
This is available in a range of finishes and it dries to a hard, glossy shell. You can purchase oil or water based varnish with the oil showing greater consistency. Water based varnish is normally environmentally friendly.
Enamel
Virtually the same as varnish expect for the fact that it has a pigment added. Enamel is extremely tough and is the ideal choice for painting cabinets.
Alkyd
A durable paint that is also relatively easy to clean though paint thinner is needed. Alkyd is often used in kitchens and bathrooms.
Urethane
This is the ideal coating for woodwork because it dries to a hard glossy shell and hides imperfections. It is very durable but turns yellow as it ages and has a strong smell.
These are just a handful of the types of paint available for decorating your home. Be sure to read up on each kind and determine which is most suited for certain jobs in your home.
