You could only wish that painting a home was as easy as ABC. But choosing paints alone is already a daunting task. With such a dizzying array of paint products available, you probably wonder what painters in Walnut Creek should use in their homes.

There are many variables to look into, from the type of surface being covered to the local weather. Painters also consider the painting application, not to mention the available budget. Many people think that all they need to bother with is choosing the right paint color, but color is probably the least important aspect of paint.

Paint is your home’s first line of defense against the elements, inside and out. Besides making your home beautiful, paint covers your home like skin. Many paint products have special additives that can protect your home’s surfaces from unwanted elements, from mold to rust.

Exterior paint versus interior paint

With a vast array of paints on the market, it’s apparent that paint doesn’t come in one or a couple of types any longer. For instance, there is exterior paint and interior paint. 

If you’re planning a house painting project, it’s important to learn the difference between interior and exterior paints so that you can make an informed decision when it’s time to purchase them.

While both exterior and interior paints contain the same principal components, such as resin, pigment, solvents, and additives, there are still considerable differences between them.

1) Exterior paints – Exterior paints are specifically formulated for outdoor painting as they must handle extreme temperatures and have the flexibility to withstand weather and temperature fluctuations.

The binding resins in exterior paints allow the coverage to expand and contract as a response to weather changes without peeling or chipping. In addition, the special additives in exterior paints help resist fading, mold and mildew, and rusting. 

Another difference between exterior and interior paints is the adhesive ability. Exterior paints have a formulation that promotes better coverage, even on rough or textured surfaces. However, exterior paints tend to have higher levels of volatile organic compounds or VOCs, especially oil-based exterior paints. Fortunately, paint manufacturers are phasing out these types of paints due to their high VOC emissions.

Exterior paints are available in various finishes, from flat to high gloss. Unfortunately, they are only available in basic colors, so you have a few options when choosing paint colors for your home’s exterior surface.

2) Interior paints – Even though interior paints are delicate compared to exterior paints, they can hold well on their own when it comes to VOCs. Interior paints tend to have lower VOC levels than exterior paints. Some eco-friendly paints, such as paints made from natural ingredients like milk protein (casein), do not have VOCs at all, so you can use them indoors without worrying about the risk of inhaling strong fumes or requiring extra ventilation. These eco-friendly paints are also safe to use around people and pets.

Interior paints are usually formulated to resist scuffing and stains for easier cleaning. Like exterior paints, interior paints are available in all finishes, including flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and glossy. 

Compared to outdoor paints, which have only limited color choices, interior paints are available in hundreds of different colors and shades. 

Another advantage of interior paints over their exterior counterparts is that the former usually dry quickly, even without exposure to sunlight. If you make a rather ill-advised decision to use exterior paint indoors, keep in mind that exterior paint requires sunlight and ventilation to dry quickly.

Oil-based versus water-based

The next factor to consider is oil-based and water-based paints. 

When the paint dries, the base solvents (whether they be water or alkyd) evaporate, leaving you with pigments (colors), binders (things such as acrylic hold the pigments to the surface and to each other), and additives.

People used to be advised never to mix these two paints or at least never apply water-based paint over oil-based paint. But it is possible to do that now, thanks to a good primer. 

1) Water-based paints – Latex, acrylic, and vinyl are water-based paints because their liquefying agent is water. They also consist of a binder and pigment. Compared to oil-based paints, water-based paints are the more environmentally friendly paint option. They also dry faster, produce fewer odors, and have better color retention than oil-based paints. Cleaning water-based paints is easy, requiring only soap and water.

2) Oil-based paints – Modern oil-based paints are called alkyd paints because their base is mineral spirits. The earlier “oil-based” paints used actual oil (usually linseed oil) as a base. 

Oil-based paints are extremely durable and can withstand constant abuse, making them ideal for exterior surfaces as well as moldings and trim.

As oil-based paint dries, it creates a hard, non-breathable coating, making it resistant to rust and stains over time. However, as the coating is not breathable, oil-based paints are prone to brittleness and cracking. They also take a longer time to dry and emit stronger odors than water-based paints. 

Oil-based paints are harder to clean, too, requiring paint thinners, mineral spirits, or turpentine for the cleaning process.

So, which paint will you choose for most of your paint projects? Latex paints are the most popular as they are the most affordable and available paint option. However, experts recommend acrylic latex or 100% acrylic paints as the best choice. These paints may cost a bit more than plain latex, but they offer better durability and color retention.

Paint finish or sheen

For some people, sheen may be more important than latex or alkyd. The higher the sheen, the more durable the paint and the better its durability and resistance to wear and tear.

Flat or matte paints are the least durable, so they should not be used in high-traffic areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways. However, they are excellent at hiding surface flaws. On the other end of the spectrum, high-gloss or glossy paints are the most durable and the easiest to clean. But glossy paints tend to expose flaws, especially if the surfaces are not cleaned and prepared well.

Choose only high-quality paints.

Whether you’re deciding on flat latex for your bedroom or glossy acrylic for trim, don’t forget this important consideration – always choose high-quality paints from a reputable brand. Using cheap paints will cost you more down the road when you have to repaint them sooner than having used premium paints to start the project. If you are not going to paint your home by yourself, go only for quality professional painters in Walnut Creek for your next project.