What type of paint do you use on walls? Paint is an economical material, easy to apply, and with enormous decorative possibilities. With paint, you can renew the appearance and decoration of a room. That is without making major reforms or spending a lot of money.
The options range from a smooth paint (one color per room to a combination of two or more colors on different walls). In addition, you can use various decorative effect techniques such as patina, sponge, and mopping.
Smooth paint gives a clean finish to the decoration as long as the color or colors chosen are the right ones. There are a huge number of qualities and types of paint on the market, as well as an infinite variety of colors to choose from. That is why it is important to stop and review these tips for making a good choice.
What Type of Paint Do You Use On Walls
Two Important Factors to Consider
The two factors to take into account when choosing the paint are: the type and the color.
The choice of the type of paint we will use will depend on the use we are going to give to the surface and the finish we want to achieve.
For example, some walls experience frequent contact with children, and are more prone to get dirty. It means they need a type of paint that is easy to clean. That is why it is important to know all the variants.
Before continuing with the types of paint, it is important to clarify that it is always convenient to choose quality paints. That is even if they are more expensive.
Quality paints have a higher covering power, which allows saving on paint coats -less time of application- and on paint. In addition, quality paints always guarantee a uniform color and greater durability over time.
What Type of Paint Do You Use On Walls
There are two basic groups of painting:
- Water-based paints (Latex)
- Oil paints (Glazes)
These paints can be divided according to the type of finish:
- Satin (with low or intermediate gloss)
- Matte (no gloss)
Satin paints
Satin paints have a silkier finish, pleasing to the eye and touch, and are easily washable. However, they are more expensive than the rest. Both water-based (latex), and oil-based (enamel) paints come with a satin finish.
Satin water-based paints are ideal for walls, while glazes are best for openings, woods and metals.
If we like the satin finish, it is necessary to know that satin paints are prone to mark all the imperfections of the wall. We recommend a thorough preparation of the walls and an application by an expert painter.
Furthermore, this paint is ideal for applying on new walls or in very good condition. It should also be taken into account that they dry quickly, so you should avoid their their application on very hot or humid days.
Matte paints
Latex paints and glazes also come in a matte finish. Matte latex is the most common for walls and plaster.
It is more economical, conceals imperfections better (ideal for old and uneven walls), and requires less wall preparation. The downside is that it is not as washable as satin paint.
You should only use matte glazes on openings, wood, and metals. They are less resistant to rubbing and washing than satin and gloss finishes.
Gloss paints
Glossy paints are always oil-based, and you should not use them on walls, but on openings, woods and metals. Exceptionally, they are used for walls in public places, schools, and hospitals. They are resistant, totally washable, but not very decorative.
Variants of the Types of Paint
In the previous sections we analyzed the basic types of paint. But there are some variants, as well as additional information that we will briefly review below.
Latex offers 3 varieties: Interior, exterior, and ceiling. Outdoor latex has an acrylic polymer base that gives it elasticity and resistance.
Moreover, they have great adhesion and certain water-repellent conditions, characteristics suitable for weathering. You can apply it on both plaster and outdoor concrete.
– The latex for ceilings leaves a porous surface that prevents surface condensation, thus favoring the development of fungi. You can use it on any ceiling, especially in bathrooms.
– Another variety of paint are varnishes, although they are more of protection than a paint. They are diluted in turpentine and are transparent.
Furthermore, they come in glossy, semi-matte, and matte varieties, the glossy ones being the most resistant. You should use them for surface protection, especially woods. Some are suitable for exterior use.
-You should paint tiles, ceramics or any glossy surface with a special paint formulated with resins and paraffins. Like any other paint, you can buy it in shops, but special attention should be paid to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Additional Information
– You should paint woods with oil paints (enamels), which you can obtain in an infinite number of colors, even in the exact same color as the latex wall paint.
– With regard to glazes,you should remember that pale colors, especially white, tend to yellow over time, which is not the case with latex.
– As a last piece of information, bear in mind that you should dilute and clean water-based paints with water. On the other hand, you should dilute and clean oil-based paints with turpentine.
Conclusion – What Type of Paint Do You Use On Walls
Color is a fundamental factor in room decoration. That is why it is important to make a good choice. To do this, key points must be taken into account.
They include the dimensions of the room, the height of the ceilings, the color and style of the furniture, and the color of the adjoining rooms.
