Types of Paint and Where To Use Them in Your Home

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When choosing paint for your home, the first thing that comes to mind is the color for aesthetic purposes. While this is important, you should also decide what type of paint to use on walls and other parts of your home.

Choosing the best paint types is crucial because it can save you time and money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent touch-ups and repainting. When selecting from the different types of paint, you have to consider the room’s function to determine which finish, color, and ingredients suit it better. Whether you’re painting your interiors or exteriors, read on to learn more about the different types of house paints.

Different Types of Paint for Your Home

JSP-A house painter painting a wall yellow

Paint is a mixture of resins, solvents, additives, and pigments. The resin binds the pigment or color, while the solvent evaporates the paint as it dries. Lastly, additives improve the paint’s mold resistance.

Although all paints share the same four essential ingredients, they still have different properties that you should know to choose the right paint for your home. Here’s a primer on the different types of paint available based on the ingredients and finish:

Based on Material

There are two types of paints based on their base material: water and oil. These two differ in terms of durability and compatibility with surface materials.

1. Water-based Paints

Water-based paints or latex are the most common type of paint that experts recommend because it dries faster and doesn’t smell as bad as oil-based paints. Along with its quick-drying properties, water-based paints emit fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which causes adverse health effects like dizziness, headaches, vision issues, and in rare cases, cancer.

This type of paint is flexible and can be used in almost any application in your home’s exteriors and rim to interiors and woodwork. It is also easier to scrub, which saves you a lot of time. However, you cannot use it on bare steel because it will rust it.

2. Oil-based Paints

Oil-based paints are more recommended for high-moisture areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. This paint type is long-lasting and suitable for painting metal fixtures, windows, and doors. The only drawbacks of oil-based paints are that they are more expensive than water-based paints, contain more VOCs, and have a strong odor when drying.

Based on Finish

JSP-Wall painted with blue color

Finishes are also crucial to decide which types of paints are for house projects and renovations. Choosing the right paint finish can help you achieve your space’s desired look and ambiance. Here are some paint finishes for your home:

1. Matte

If you want a smooth, flat surface with little to no sheen, a matte or flat paint finish is the best choice. Matte or flat paint also effectively hides imperfections and blemishes on surfaces like nail holes and scratches. In addition, this is one of the best types of paint for low-traffic areas like bedrooms and dining rooms because it’s the least durable and suffers damage easily, among other finishes. This paint type can also be challenging to wash.

2. Satin

Among the types of paint finishes, satin paint is the most versatile and highly-recommended for high-traffic and high-moisture indoor rooms like the kitchen, playroom, family room, and bathrooms. Its silky, pearl-like finish gives it high resistance to fading and mildew, making it easier to clean than other finishes. The only downside is that it’s more prone to showing application marks, making it harder to touch up.

3. Eggshell

Eggshell shares the same properties as satin, as both have a velvety sheen that is easy to clean. However, eggshell paint has a lower sheen and has almost no reflectivity than satin. This makes it better at hiding imperfections like uneven strokes. As for durability, eggshells are also suitable for rooms with mid-level activity, like dining rooms, living rooms, and hallways, because they can withstand stains and scuffs.

4. Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paints are best for high-moisture areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens because of their high moisture resistance and washability. In addition, semi-gloss is one of the best paint types for those who want a shiny finish with more reflectivity than satin. A semi-gloss paint finish will boost a room’s brightness if you’re planning to use white paint.

5. High-Gloss

The high gloss has the most sheen among all the paint finishes, making it the easiest to clean. Because of its high shine, this type of paint is too much for wall painting. However, its durability makes it an excellent choice for painting doors, cabinets, trim, and molding. The downsides to this type of paint are that it’s likely the most expensive and likely to show application errors.

Conclusion

Choosing the best types of house paints is crucial to achieving the desired look while ensuring durability. It’s essential to consider the room location, type of surface, sheen, durability, and budget when selecting the right paint for your home. By considering these factors, you can choose the best paint for your home that enhances the look and feel of your space and provides long-lasting protection against wear and tear. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from a paint professional to help you make the right choice.

Get professional opinion and paint service from Jeff Schultz Painting.

Knowing the suitable types of paints for house renovations is essential. Still, it would be best to have an expert opinion with extensive knowledge and experience to select the right one for various surfaces and rooms. Look no further than Jeff Schultz Paintng if you’re looking for trusted painters in Sarasota, Florida.

Jeff Schultz Painting offer quality residential painting services using various colors and paint types to boost your property’s value and appearance. With our years of expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, we’ll make your home a comfortable and beautiful place to live in.

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Jeff Schultz

Jeff Schultz is a skilled painting contractor with more than 35 years of experience. Since 1988, he's been offering top-notch painting services for homes and businesses in Sarasota, Bradenton, and along the Gulf Coast. Jeff knows how to choose the right paint for the area's weather, making sure the paint job lasts. His team can paint many different types of buildings, like high-rises, offices, churches, and more, without causing much disruption. Jeff's goal is to give the best painting service around, with great customer care, reliable work, and excellent results.

About Me

Jeff Schultz Painting is a full-service painting company that specializes in commercial and residential projects.
Jeff is a professional interior and exterior painting contractor with over 35 years of experience.

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