Different Types of House Paints

With a number of brands and types of house paint present in the market today, it can be confusing where to begin from when choosing paint for a new project. Though there are varieties of paints present in the market, but mostly you will find two kinds of paint: oil-based and water-based. However, you will also find primers, enamels, acrylics, and various other types. Here are descriptions of seven different house paints you will usually find on the shelves. You can always ask the experts at the best painting companies in Dallas for more guidance:

Primer

This is not actually considered as paint, but it is needed in a number of painting projects and will be present in the paint aisle. Primer can be either oil or water-based, so when you are painting, you will actually choose that one which matches the type of paint you are using. For example, if you are painting with oil-based paint then you should use an oil-based primer.

Interior and Exterior

You will find paint labelled as interior or exterior. You can use water-based paint for the interior of your house, but for the exterior of your house, you can choose oil-based varieties.

Oil-based vs. Water-based

Oil-based house paint takes a little more time to dry than water-based, which dries as soon as the moisture can evaporate. However, there are drying additives in oil-based paints so as to make the dry time a shorter one.

In order to clean oil-based paint, you basically need to go for harsh chemicals like paint thinner while just a little amount of detergent and water will allow you to clean water-based. Water-based paints are also not as strong as oil-based and are not that shiny too.

Latex

This is a term which is used for the water-based paint. There is in fact no latex in the paint.

Enamel

Oil-based paint is also known as “enamel” due to its hardness and durability. These paints will also consist of gloss and semi-gloss finishes and they are mostly used around windows, doors, and trim. However, with time, this paint can discolor, however.

Acrylic

This is just a different term for water-based house paint, but the requisite ingredient in the paint is acrylic. Acrylic paint can be seen in a number of varieties which comprise of acrylic latex, acrylic enamel, or acrylic latex enamel. Acrylic enamel house paint is counted as such due to its durability; it is not a combination of oil and water-based paint. Always have a look at the labels of the paint as not all paint actually comprise of latex or acrylic despite the name. Also, remember that the higher the shine, the more imperfections the paint will depict.

Specialty Paints

Each paint type can have additives present in it. These paints can consist of anti-mould and anti-mildew properties as well as fire retardants. Some also have anti-condensation additives which are perfect if you go to painting the kitchen. At Dallas Paints, we make special paints. 

Thus these are the variety of house paints which are present.