Choosing the Right Paint for the Right Job
Thinking about starting a painting job but are unsure of which types of paint to use? Here are a few tips to help you know whether to use oil or a water based paint, what kind to use indoors verses outdoors and when it is appropriate to use other types of paints.
Oil Based Paint: These paints are glossier than latex paints, and are also more durable. With advances in painting over the years, the difference between oil and water based paint is far less important than it used to be, there are however a few things you still want to keep in mind. When painting outside or any area that will be exposed to high humidity you should consider an oil based paint applied over an oil based primer. The type of surface you will be painting is also a factor, if painting a material such as vinyl oil paint should be used. Also if you will be scrubbing the area often then oil based paint is the right choice.
Latex (Water Based) Paint: Latex paints are generally the go-to paint for any indoor project. There are a wide range of options in sheen, the progression goes from: flat, flat enamel, eggshell, satin, soft gloss, semi-gloss and finally high gloss. When choosing, consider whether an area will need touch ups, repainting or to be cleaned often. In kitchens bathrooms and kids rooms I always prefer to use semi-gloss paint as flat paint will require the entire room to be re-painted to avoid stains and off color tones between the new and old paint. Flat paint however is great at camouflaging unsightly blemishes or an area you don’t want to draw attention to.
Painting a Heavy Traffic area? Most brand name paints, like Glidden or STAINMASTERS Not only come in stain resistant two in one varieties (paint plus primer), but also have antimicrobial agents to help prevent mildew and other molds from forming.
Spice it up: There are many different types of paint available that can add character to any home; metallic or textured paints can create pizazz. How about creating an art space in a kids’ room with paint that transforms any smooth surface into a whiteboard with IdeaPaint? Chalkboard paint can be used to create an unconventional message board in area of the home: calendars, grocery lists, missed calls, you name it. The hardware store staff will also be able to help with paint decisions.
