When it is time to refresh the interior paint in your home, you have lots of choices. Not only are there lots of different brands and color but there are many different finishes. You can opt for paints that are environmentally friendly with little or no VOCs or you can opt for paints that combine primer with the paint for quick and easy application.
For a general overview of, interior paints there are a few basic types. Most ceilings are painted with a paint that is specific to ceilings. It is usually white, flat and water-based. For walls, you have a lot more choice. Paints come in flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high gloss finishes.
Some paints include texture in them and others combine primer and paint. For painting floors, decking paint works unless it is a concrete floor and then concrete paint is the way to go. Paint also comes in water-based or oil-based. Most people opt for water-based interior paint because clean-up is so much easier.
Flat paint
Flat finish is probably not the best choice for areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and stairways where you need to wash the walls frequently. It is the least wash friendly finish and if over washed will come off.
Eggshell
The eggshell finish has just a hint of luster. It is a popular choice for trip work such as baseboards, window frames, and doors. It can take a little washing but again, for areas you need to be able to wash frequently, it isn’t the best option.
Satin
Satin is one of the most popular finishes. It is washable but cannot take scrubbing. For walls and trim that need to be washed frequently, it is a good option, Satin finish works well in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, family and playrooms. It is shinier than eggshell or flat but not a shiny as semi-gloss.
Semi-gloss
For those places where you need to be able to scrub the walls, semi-gloss is a popular choice. It is shiny but not high gloss and works well in kitchens, bathrooms, woodwork and doors. Any place where little or large fingerprints and dirt require frequent washing.
High Gloss
High-gloss paint is exactly what it sounds like: very shiny. It is the most washable and there is little that can’t be washed off. It can be overwhelming in large doses, however, so is not the most popular choice for entire rooms.
When it comes to latex versus oil-based paints, according to Bob Villa, professional painters prefer oil-based because it takes longer to dry. The longer paint takes to dry, the fewer brush marks that show. For the average home DIYer, however, oil-based paint is harder to clean up after and has a much stronger smell that can linger for a while.
If you thought the hardest part of picking your paint was going to be the color, you now must realize that color is probably your easiest choice. There is more to choosing the best paint for your room than just which shade you prefer. You need to consider the different kinds of paint used for interior painting and what will suit your needs the best.
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