Do you want to renew the decoration of the rooms? Has time taken its toll on the walls of your house? The time has come to take the roller and give it a new coat of paint to your home. You have probably worried about choosing the colors already, but have you thought about the type of paint?
Painting in general is a product in fluid form applied on a surface in thin layers, it becomes a film that covers, protects and decorates the support on which it has been applied. There are, however, different types of paint that, depending on their characteristics, will adapt better to one surface or another.
Hay different types of paints which, roughly, we could classify into two groups: solvent-based paint and water-based paint. Your budget will greatly limit the choice of paint, but there are characteristics that we advise you to pay attention to: covering power, ease of cleaning and quality.
Base paint or primer
It is a very economical paint that is used as a base. When applied on virgin walls, it seals and smoothes them, reducing imperfections, allowing subsequent layers of paint to adhere and look better. They are also usually applied to colored walls, before receiving the final paint.
Tempera
Tempera paint is soluble in water and has cellulosic glues as binder and gypsum or calcium sulfate as pigment. It is economical, permeable and easy to spread but it has poor adhesion on surfaces that have not been previously treated.
Its use is not recommended on walls that suffer humidity, since mold could form Over the surface. It is suitable, however, for use on plaster-plastered walls and ceilings that are not exposed to much wear and tear. It is not a washable paint but it does offer the possibility of creating textured finishes.
Plastic paint
It is the most used paint indoor. It dries very quickly, hardly produces odors and is very easy to apply. Most plastic or latex paints are also washable, so it should not be surprising that in addition to walls and ceilings, they are also used on other smaller wooden or iron surfaces, previously sealed.
The main features of the plastic paints are:
- Ease of application and cleaning.
- It is diluted with water.
- Dries quickly, allowing paint jobs to be finished earlier.
- Does not emit strong odors and releases less fumes than other paints such as solvent-based paints.
- You have good adherence and it does not tend to crack easily.
- Most plastic paints are washable
- It can be dyed. If you start from a white plastic paint you can create other colors using dyes (water-based or universal).
- The color chart is infinite.
Plastic paints have three types of finish: glossy, satin and matte. Its correct choice will depend on the type of surface we want to paint and the result we want to obtain.
- Sparkly: Highly reflective, washable and waterproof finish, recommended for facades and exterior walls
- Satin: Resistant finish with gloss and fine to the touch, recommended for rooms with shiny walls and intense colors as they enliven the tones and color.
- Mate: It is opaque and does not reflect light. It hides wall damage well, making it ideal for uneven walls. It is washable, but to a lesser extent than the satin finish.
Furthermore, this type of paint can be divided into two groups with their own characteristics: acrylic or vinyl. Acrylic plastic paints are more resistant, both indoors and outdoors, and have a greater waterproofing capacity (they resist mold and the effects of the sun). Vinyl, however, are easier to apply and offer greater versatility; allow to obtain high quality satin finishes with surprising decorative effects.
Synthetic enamels
Synthetic enamels are very strong paints, composed of solvent-based synthetic resins. Its hardness and resistance to washing make it especially suitable for painting exterior walls or surfaces exposed to humidity and greater wear, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
It is a paint that must be used with a previous base and that, like plastic paint, has three finishes: glossy, satin and matte. They have, however, a stronger smell than these and are less respectful with the environment. They emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) to a greater or lesser extent.
Acrylic enamels
Composed of acrylic resins, in addition to catalysts and pigments, acrylic enamels adhere to most media Like synthetic enamels, but unlike these they do not smell, they dissolve with water and are more environmentally friendly. Resistant to humidity, they have a remarkable color retention and for this reason they are an excellent option for strong tones.
Although enamels are used mainly for artistic work and painting of wood and metal, the interior walls can also be painted with these types of products. They are mainly used for painting the walls of shops, hotels or homes where a touch of sophistication and long-lasting durability is sought. His raising cost and the greater difficulty of application, make them less popular than other options,
Stucco
Decorative stucco is a paste composed of lime, plaster, cement, marble sand and natural pigments that is applied to walls and ceilings as a decorative element. Provides a luxurious, smooth and shiny texture, with a velvety texture reminiscent of natural stones.
Ecological paints
Ecological paints are formulated based on low emission components, which makes them less polluting and more environmentally friendly products. These products they do not have VOC's (volatile organic compounds), since as they are low-emission paints, they do not emit toxic substances. Other characteristics of ecological paints is that they do not give off practically odor and have high levels of durability and resistance.
Epoxy paint
Epoxy paint is made from high quality plastic resins. It is one of the strongest varieties of paint out there. They are resistant to humidity, extreme temperatures, friction and impacts. Hence, they are used to cover and protect some surfaces that require extra protection such as seabed, insulating materials or garage floors with a lot of traffic.
They also have a remarkable coverage and a perfect finish, similar to that of liquid porcelain. A feature that has caught the attention of many interior decorators and that has allowed these paintings reserved for very specific spaces to be seen in kitchens, playrooms or children's spaces due to their ease of cleaning.
There are paintings for every environment and every family. Choosing the most appropriate, however, is not always easy. From Decoora we encourage you to consult there where they sell paintings which is the best option for you and to decide on quality paintings that will give you a uniform finish and will last much longer.