The Types of Paints and Finishes You Need to Know About

Finding the right paint color can feel like a trial in itself sometimes but what about the task of finding the right type of paint? Choosing the right type of paint is just as important, but there are so many different types of paint with different finishes. So, if you’ve chosen your color palette that provides a visual balance, choosing the right type of paint is the next port of call. Choosing the right type of paint will make sure that it looks great but also makes it more durable. The formula and the bind will determine how the paint soaks into the surfaces and how easy it is to apply. Here are some of the most common types of paints that you will encounter:

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Water-Based Paints

Water-based paints such as limewash paint use water as the carrier and typically contain pigment, which provides the color element of the paint and binders which bind the pigment together. Water-based paints can be less durable and don’t always provide the same sense of vivid color, but they dry quicker, are easy to clean up, and are better for your health because they contain fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

You will tend to find water-based paints like acrylic paint and various types of emulsion in your local DIY store. When you are deciding whether to choose acrylic or emulsion, emotion is far better when you are doing up your home because acrylic paints lend themselves better to smaller areas and are typically found in artwork.

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paint is incredibly durable, and as oil-based paints contain natural oils, you tend to find them as an ideal solution when painting railings or skirting boards. Because it is oil-based, it provides a nice glossy finish, which makes it a perfect fit when you are decorating rooms like kitchens or bathrooms because they have lots of moisture.

As oil-based paints are more durable, this can also be ideal in places like your child’s bedroom. However, oil-based paints contain more VOCs and take longer to dry. Oil-based paints are also very messy, which is why it’s recommended to have something like paint thinner around to make it an easier process.

Specialty Paints

While oil-based or water-based paints are the two main types out there, there’s a variety of specialty paints available, including:

• Exterior paint: If you are looking to freshen up the exterior of your property, exterior paints come in a wide variety of colors and finishes. The main difference between interior and exterior paints is that interior paint is purpose-built to resist stains, allow cleaning, and be scrubbed, but exterior paints are more purpose-built to combat fading and other outside issues such as mold or mildew.
• Masonry paint: If you are looking to paint surfaces such as stone, brick, or cement, masonry paint comes in a number of different finishes, and you can choose water-based paint or solvent-based paint. But be sure to only use masonry paint in good weather. If you are using it in damp or humid conditions, the paint will flake because it cannot dry properly.
• Quick-dry paint: As it will say on the tin, quick-dry paints dry quicker, and you can find a variety of quick-dry paint for various surfaces, cutting any project times in half. This is a useful alternative to oil-based paints or if you are a landlord and you need to upgrade a property quickly.

Understanding the Different Types of Finishes

Finally, when it comes to choosing the right paint, you also need to be aware of the finish. The finish is the sheen of it and shows how much light will reflect off the surface and whether the result is glossy or not.

When choosing the right type of finish, you should consider the level of the sheen and if the walls have any flaws. The glossier the paint, the more you will see these flaws. Some of the different types of finishes include:

• Matte, which provides a very smooth finish with a low sheen level.
• Flat matte, which looks almost velvety.
• Super matte, which is the ideal solution for surfaces that have a number of blemishes.
• Silk, which has a mid-sheen level.
• Semi-gloss and gloss, which are great for rooms like kids’ bedrooms.
• Satin, which is perfect on woodwork to disguise imperfections.
• Eggshell, which provides a shiny look but is not as strong as satin or silk.

When it comes to choosing the right paints, there’s undoubtedly a lot to unravel. This is barely scratching the surface, but as you will see, knowing the right types of paints for your paint job, as well as the finishes, will give you far more satisfactory results.