Types of Paint
When it finally comes time to repaint your house or paint your house for that matter if you just built the home or just moved in, you might be confused as to what type of paint you are supposed to use when it comes to painting the house. There are essentially two types of paint; acrylic and water based. But, you will also find things like enamels, acrylics, primers and more. All of these terms and products could give just about anyone a headache and make them so frustrated! If you want to know more about the two types of paint or you want information on what all of these other terms mean, continue to read below for more information - the more you know, the better off you’ll be when it comes to visiting the local home improvement store!
Primer
This is technically not a type of paint, however, it is by the paint and often found in the same category as paint. When people talk about primer, they talk about something that is oil water based or oil based. The biggest thing you need to pay attention to when it comes to primer and the oil versus water content is what type of paint you are using. If you are using water based paint, use water based primer. If you are using oil based paint, use oil based primer. This makes sense, and I could get into a bunch of technical jargon, but I’ll give you an easier explanation for you to think about. Primer is used under the paint, it’s a way to actually make the paint "stick" better to the surface. If you use a water based primer and then oil based paint, you are going to probably find that your paint doesn’t stick as well, it might come off eventually, bubble up, crackle, etc. The same will happen on the opposing side as well with an oil based primer and water based paint. Always make sure you match your primer and paint up!
Interior vs. Exterior
When visiting your local paint aisle or home improvement store, you are going to see two types of paint; exterior and interior. 1- Yes, these are very different, exterior is used for the outside of your home and interior is used for the interior home. 2- What essentially makes these paints different or suited for the indoor/outdoor is the ingredients in them. Exterior paint tends to be oil based - these paints are specifically mean to be used outdoors. The interior paints tend to be made from water, and these are explicitly to be used indoors. That’s not to say people don’t do the opposite, because they do, but they just might not end up with the best results.
Oil Based vs. Water Based
Many people see these oil based or water based paints, and they have no idea why, what each one means, and what the benefits or differences are when it comes to these paints. In the simplest terms oil based paint is something that tends to take more time to dry than water based paint. Also, water based paint is considered not to be as durable, hence why it’s better used indoors rather than outdoors where you will be dealing with things like rain and snow, wind, hail, the sun, etc. Water based paint, also tends to be less shiny than oil paint, which sort of makes sense if you think about it! Lastly, water based paint can usually be cleaned up using a warm rag and some water, but for something much more tough like oil based paint, you will need paint thinner.
Latex
Unbeknownst to a lot of people, a latex paint, actually has no latex in it. It is just another word for water based paint.
Enamel
When you talk about enamel, you usually talk about a hard coated type of paint, this one is an oil based paint that hardens as it dries. These types of paints will come in a variety of finishes including semi-gloss and high gloss. This type of paint is commonly used on things like doors and trim, especially window trim. But, even though it has a hard shell, doesn’t mean it’s really strong. In fact, over time, this paint WILL discolor from the sun and the elements which is why you’re trim may need to be done sooner than the body of the house for touch ups.
Primer
This is technically not a type of paint, however, it is by the paint and often found in the same category as paint. When people talk about primer, they talk about something that is oil water based or oil based. The biggest thing you need to pay attention to when it comes to primer and the oil versus water content is what type of paint you are using. If you are using water based paint, use water based primer. If you are using oil based paint, use oil based primer. This makes sense, and I could get into a bunch of technical jargon, but I’ll give you an easier explanation for you to think about. Primer is used under the paint, it’s a way to actually make the paint "stick" better to the surface. If you use a water based primer and then oil based paint, you are going to probably find that your paint doesn’t stick as well, it might come off eventually, bubble up, crackle, etc. The same will happen on the opposing side as well with an oil based primer and water based paint. Always make sure you match your primer and paint up!
Interior vs. Exterior
When visiting your local paint aisle or home improvement store, you are going to see two types of paint; exterior and interior. 1- Yes, these are very different, exterior is used for the outside of your home and interior is used for the interior home. 2- What essentially makes these paints different or suited for the indoor/outdoor is the ingredients in them. Exterior paint tends to be oil based - these paints are specifically mean to be used outdoors. The interior paints tend to be made from water, and these are explicitly to be used indoors. That’s not to say people don’t do the opposite, because they do, but they just might not end up with the best results.
Oil Based vs. Water Based
Many people see these oil based or water based paints, and they have no idea why, what each one means, and what the benefits or differences are when it comes to these paints. In the simplest terms oil based paint is something that tends to take more time to dry than water based paint. Also, water based paint is considered not to be as durable, hence why it’s better used indoors rather than outdoors where you will be dealing with things like rain and snow, wind, hail, the sun, etc. Water based paint, also tends to be less shiny than oil paint, which sort of makes sense if you think about it! Lastly, water based paint can usually be cleaned up using a warm rag and some water, but for something much more tough like oil based paint, you will need paint thinner.
Latex
Unbeknownst to a lot of people, a latex paint, actually has no latex in it. It is just another word for water based paint.
Enamel
When you talk about enamel, you usually talk about a hard coated type of paint, this one is an oil based paint that hardens as it dries. These types of paints will come in a variety of finishes including semi-gloss and high gloss. This type of paint is commonly used on things like doors and trim, especially window trim. But, even though it has a hard shell, doesn’t mean it’s really strong. In fact, over time, this paint WILL discolor from the sun and the elements which is why you’re trim may need to be done sooner than the body of the house for touch ups.