Choosing home paint can be daunting.
Step into any paint shop and you’re faced with wall-to-wall shelving units stocked to the gills with colors. Gloss or matte? Latex or oil? Brand A or Brand B? Paint can be confusing.
The issue is:
Picking the wrong type of paint for a surface or location means peeling paint, faded colors, and wasted money. But if you know which paints to use where, it’s a snap.
Paint is also one of the easiest investments to increase your home’s value. In fact, 87% of homeowners repaint one or more rooms prior to listing.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- Different paint types and what you should know about them
- Water vs oil paints and how to know which to buy
- Which paint finish you should use in each room
- Interior vs exterior paint applications to consider
- When to use professional painting services
Paint Types 101
Painting a room in your house may seem like a simple task.
But before you ever dip your brush into the paint can, you must first learn and understand the different paint types and how they work.
Broadly speaking, there are two dominant categories of paint available in stores today. Paints that are water-based and paints that are oil-based. While these two categories are the most popular, each paint type has different pros and cons that make them more suitable for certain applications.
If you are looking for the best Plymouth MA painting services or looking to do a DIY home painting project, it is critical you first understand these differences before you begin.
The most important piece of information to know is this:
The vast majority of home painting services today use water-based paints for most residential applications. This is because they are less smelly, less messy, and far easier to clean up using only water and soap.
Water-Based vs Oil-Based Paint (Latex vs Alkyd)
Okay, so now that we know about water-based and oil-based paints, how exactly do these two differ? Let’s look at each one in a bit more detail.
Water-Based Paint (Latex or Acrylic Paint)
Water-based paints have steadily become the preferred choice of paint for most homeowners over the past several decades. This is largely due to their clean-up, drying time, and fewer harsh chemicals in their formulas.
Advantages of water-based paints include:
- Faster dry times (typically 2-4 hours)
- Low odor and less fumes
- Easy to clean with soap and water
- Less cracking and yellowing over time
- Better flexibility to accommodate expanding walls
Water-based paints can be used for both interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and trim. They are a safer choice for painting in rooms where children and pets may be present.
Oil-Based Paint (Alkyd)
Oil-based paints have been around for as long as most of us can remember. They give off a harder, more durable finish and can stand up to much more wear and tear.
Oil-based paints are a good choice for:
- Trim and molding
- Cabinets and doors
- Areas that will see a lot of touching or abuse
- Places that need a particularly smooth, glossy finish
Oil-based paints do have their drawbacks. They have much longer dry times, sometimes taking 24 hours or more between coats. Paint thinner is required for clean up, and the fumes can be strong.
Paint Finishes for Every Room
Paint type is important, but so is the finish of the paint you choose.
Paint finishes range from completely flat to shiny like a mirror. As the finish increases in sheen, the paint becomes more durable and easier to clean. However, that same gloss also tends to highlight any imperfections in the underlying surface.
Paint finishes in order from least to most shiny are:
- Flat or matte: Best on ceilings and walls that don’t see a lot of traffic. Hides imperfections but hard to clean.
- Eggshell: Very popular for living rooms and bedrooms. Slight sheen and easy to clean.
- Satin: Popular for high traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. Handles moisture well.
- Semi-gloss: Reserved for trims, doors, and cabinets. Easy to wipe down and clean.
- High gloss: For accent walls and surfaces that need to stand up to a lot of abuse.
The general rule is the higher the traffic, the higher the sheen.
Interior vs Exterior Paint
Interior paints are different from exterior paints.
This may seem like an obvious point to make, but many people use whatever is on sale for both indoor and outdoor applications. This can lead to poor results.
Interior paint needs to have a pleasing appearance and color that is easy to clean. Since interior walls are not exposed to rain, wind, sunlight, or extreme temperatures, they do not require additives to help protect against these elements.
The average life span of an interior paint job can range from 5 to 10 years. Rooms that get a lot of cooking grease or moisture will need repainting sooner.
Exterior paints must be able to withstand anything nature can throw at it. Rain, snow, ice, sun, and even pollution can damage and fade exterior paint. As a result, exterior paints contain special additives including UV blockers, mildewcides, and flexible resins.
The lifespan of exterior paint varies wildly based on what it is painted on. Wood siding can last 3-7 years while better-quality vinyl and aluminum siding can go 20 years or more.
Here’s a fun fact few homeowners realize:
On average, homes that have been painted on the outside sell 17 days faster and for over 2% above the asking price.
Professional Painting Services
If you have your own brushes and rollers, can’t you just paint your house yourself?
In a word, yes. Most homeowners can successfully paint their homes with nothing more than a paintbrush and patience.
In most cases, these are the times when homeowners should strongly consider hiring professional painting services:
- The home has high ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas
- The homeowner wants a high-quality finish for resale
- Multiple rooms and/or the exterior are being painted at the same time
Painting contractors have the expertise and experience to ensure top quality results every time. They also work much faster than homeowners on a DIY project.
Wrapping It All Up
How do you know which paint type to choose?
The easiest place to start is to first identify what it is you are painting and the environment it will need to survive.
Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
- Living rooms and bedrooms: Use water-based paint in either eggshell or satin finish.
- Kitchens and bathrooms: Use water-based paint in either satin or semi-gloss.
- Trim and cabinets: Oil-based or high-quality acrylic paint in either semi-gloss or gloss finish.
- Exterior walls: Exterior-grade acrylic latex paint.
One last tip. No matter how good the paint is, it will not adhere to dirty or damaged walls. Always clean and repair your surfaces first, then let the paint do the rest of the work.
Your home is your largest investment. Treat it to paint that not only looks good but also performs like it should.