What type of paint is best for walls? In this article, we will you tell which between acrylic, silicone, latex, or water emulsion paint is the best option for painting walls in different rooms. When choosing a wall paint, you should consider several factors.
For example, it is important to pay attention to not only to the color, but first of all to the composition and performance. Fortunately, we will deal with each parameter in more detail. Read on!
What Type of Paint Is Best For Walls
Types of Paint Coatings
It is impossible to say unambiguously which paint is better for the walls, because there is no single rating. The choice depends on the budget, and the type of room you want to paint.
We can divide all materials into three groups: for exterior works, for interior works, and universal, which you can use in both cases. It is logical that for interior repair, you can only use two types: specialized columns and universal. Why not use exterior paints?
The fact is that the coating for facade work may contain toxic antiseptics, and hardeners. These substances may cause irritation, and even allergic reactions, if you use them in interiors. Only garage walls are suitable for painting in this way.
There are two types or paint materials for your interiors: based on water and other solvents.
Water Soluble
They are also known as water dispersion, or water emulsion – the difference is in the constituent components. These paints are popular because of their price and practicality. For example, they dry quickly, they fluctuate well, do not smell, and adhere perfectly on almost any surface.
At the same time, the cheapest, but not stable emulsion is based on PVA. It is easily polluted and exposed to moisture. It does not cover walls to the maximum – the ceiling in a room with non-aggressive environment. For example, in the living room or bedroom.
What Type of Paint Is Best For Walls – Acrylics
This paint contains aqueous dispersions of acrylic resins. After application, they form a thin protective film that is resistant to moisture and mechanical impact. This coating is suitable even for rooms with high humidity.
By the way, acrylic-based water dispersion is good for both wooden and concrete surfaces. The only but is if there are small irregularities. It is best to carry out a putty beforehand, in case of more serious defects – first you need to plaster correctly.
Most often, the acrylic coating in the store is sold as a white base. To get the right shade, you need to add a colored pigment. You can even do this at home yourself. To avoid disappointment and problems with incompatible components, take a color paste from the same company as the base.
Latex
These are aqueous emulsions based on latex copolymers, to which rubber has been added. We often use the latex emulsion to decorate rooms with high humidity. Besides, it is ideal to apply on wallpaper under painting.
Moreover, you can use it for creation of a decor from plaster, for example, imitation of a brick wall. A thin layer, which forms after application, preserves the surface texture. Moreover, it protects it from water and moisture.
Like acrylic, we mix latex coatings with colored to obtain the desired shade.
Silicone
This emulsion based on silicone resins is one of the novelties in the construction market. It is suitable not only for wall decoration inside, but also for facade design.
Furthermore, it has good mechanical damage resistance, UV resistance, thermal stability, and antiseptic properties. The only significant disadvantage is its high price. However, in pure form such emulsions are rare. Most manufacturers offer acrylic and silicone mixtures.
What Type of Paint Is Best For Walls
Coverage – the ability to paint the surface color. The higher this value, the fewer layers you need to create an even tone. Moreover, the covering power of cheap colors is lower. It is worth considering when buying, you will need more cans.
Vapor permeability is the ability to “breathe”. It’s important for rooms with high humidity. Further, vapor-permeable paints provide moisture, and protect against mold and fungus.
Resistance to abrasion, for example, mechanical damage, is an indicator of durability. It is determined in laboratory conditions, simulating the washing procedure.
What Type of Paint Is Best For Walls
How to Choose Wall Paint in the Kitchen and Bathroom
As you know, the most aggressive environment in the home is in the kitchen. There is high humidity and temperature, and splashes of water and fat. So, not every coating can withstand this.
The materials need to be suitable: waterproof, vapor-permeable, with good abrasion resistance. Such demands are met by latex and silicone emulsions.
The same applies to bathrooms – where steam and high temperature combines with humidity.
For Bedroom and Living Room
A quieter environment in the bedroom and living room does not require the coating to be wear-resistant and waterproof. Acrylic paint will help to avoid financial costs. Moreover, choose products that have a wet cleaning mark on their packaging so you can periodically wipe the surface.
Children’s’ Decoration
The most important thing here is safety. When choosing a material, you should pay attention to the mark about its ecological compatibility and hypoallergenicity. Most manufacturers offer special products for children.
How to Choose a Texture
The matt one doesn’t shine and perfectly conceals surface imperfections. Moreover, it is suitable for rooms with low access, such as bedrooms. It is gaining popularity and it is especially relevant in the interior in a modern style.
The half-matt emulsion has a subtle shine. It has slightly higher wear resistance and durability, such surfaces are often washable. This type is suitable for covering the hallway and corridor.
Half-glossy is designed to decorate the nursery, kitchen, bathroom – rooms that you will need to clean often. It has good indicators of durability, resistance to dirt, and wear and tear.
The glossy one gives a shine almost like glass. It’s the most abrasion-resistant paint. But it is difficult to work with: the surface should be perfect. That is because the gloss can emphasize even the smallest roughness and unevenness. By the way, it is possible to decorate the accent wall in this way.
Conclusion
The right choice will help to reduce material consumption: be sure to align the surface, use a primer, and a roller with medium pile.
