Navigating the World of Paint
Paint is the finishing touch on creating the perfect home that combines both practicality and personal expression, and it can be the perfect Do-It-Yourself project with the proper planning. Whether your objective is a full house paint job or a smaller single room focused project, there is a correct paint for you.
Now let’s get down to a breakdown of the ever expansive world of paint that will make your DIY paint project look like a professional job!
Latex Paint vs. Oil Based Paint
For most DIY projects, latex paint is the best choice for several reasons. Latex paint is both thinner and easier to use than Oil Based paint. It also saves tons of time and money because it dries quickly, primer is most times not required, and it can be found at a lower price. Lastly, latex paints are not toxic and are less brittle than Oil based paints, making hazards to the family from fallen paint chips less likely.
Flat vs. Semi-Gloss vs. High Gloss Finish
If you’re looking for the lowest cost option on the market, Flat paint is the choice for you. It is totally shine free and available on a budget, however, this finish shows all marks, grease, and stains that make contact with it. Stick to selecting flat paint for ceilings or other low-traffic areas of the home.
Semi-Gloss paint can be more expensive, however, is useful for long-term wear and tear in rooms like the playroom, hallways, and living room because of the protective sheen of the paint. Most dirt and grease wipe up easily off of this surface because of the shiny finish.
High-Gloss paint provides the greatest shine on your surface. High-Gloss paint is the perfect choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-humidity rooms since moisture and dirt that collects on the walls wipes off extremely easily and it takes a long time to permanently damage the surface from this grime.
Some other popular finishes include Eggshell and Satin.
Indoor vs. Outdoors
Indoor paint differs from outdoor paint in several areas that are important to consider including durability in extreme weather conditions and overall stain-resistance. However, most importantly, outdoor paint contains materials that are not approved for indoor use because of their discharge of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which are emitted for up to 30 days after application and can affect those with sensitivities while breathing such as children or pregnant women.
