Painting

Paint types

Brush and roller types

Paint sheens

Paint, primer, enamel

and more ...

Paint Types

Water-Based Paint

Acrylic Paint

In general, any paint labeled “acrylic” has more acrylic polymers than latex paint.
Acrylic paint typically costs more and provides better adhesions, durability, and resiliency.
The extra cost isn’t worth it for interior drywall, but for kitchen cabinets or outdoor furniture.
Some manufacturers use the word “enamel” in the paint description to describe acrylic paint that is especially durable.

Latex Paint

Latex paint contains a lower ratio of acrylic polymers.
This type of paint is perfect for a vertical surface like walls but won’t wear well on a piece of outdoor furniture.
It provides greater coverage than acrylic paint, is less expensive, and more eco-friendly.
Unlike acrylic, it’s recommended to use latex paint when painting larger areas. Not because it dries slower, but because it’s usually purchased in larger quantities.

Advantages

Water-based paints adhere well to a variety of interior and exterior surfaces. Significant resistance to paint failures such as flaking, peeling, and blistering.
Ease of application - Smooth and even application with less brush drag.
Mildew resistance - Additives reduce mildew growth and help maintain the paint's fresh appearance.
Versatility - Can be used on a variety of substrates, including wood, concrete, stucco, brick, aluminum siding, vinyl siding, and galvanized metal.
Odor – Significantly less odor than oil-based paints.
Drying time - Dries in one to six hours, which permits same-day recoating.
Cleanup - Easy cleanup with water and soap.

Disadvantages

Water-based paints become difficult to use when the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water-based paints can show more brush strokes and don’t “lay-flat” like oil-based paints if proper technique isn’t used.
Water-based paints can raise the grain on un-primed wood.
Oil-based paints are preferred in humid, wet, and damp exterior applications.

Flat/Matte

The least amount of shine

Eggshell

Slightly more lustrous than flat paints

Satin

The most common interior paint finish

Semi-gloss

Shiny and reflective

High-gloss

The shiniest paint finish

Flat/Matte:

have the least amount of shine.
provide the most coverage of any other paint
require fewer coats to cover imperfections like nail holes.
they’re the least durable type of paint and will be damaged if treated with cleaner
they’re best used in low-traffic areas, like dining rooms, and surfaces that won’t be touched much, like ceilings.

Eggshell:

They’re slightly more lustrous than flat paints
they still cover imperfections, and they’re more durable than flat finishes
Eggshell paints are great for places with low or medium traffic, like living rooms, hallways, and entryways.

Satin:

Satin finishes are the most common interior paint finish.
They have a velvety sheen and are easier to clean than flat and eggshell paints,
great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, playrooms, family rooms, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Before you use a satin paint, be aware that their sheen unfortunately is more apt to reveal brush strokes, making touch-ups slightly tricky down the line.

Semi-gloss:

like kids’ rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

they will show imperfections more than less shiny paints.

High-gloss:

High-gloss paints are the shiniest paint finish of the bunch.
They’re also the most durable and washable, so they can handle daily scrubbing.
Consider this family of paint for doors, trim, and cabinetry.
In addition to being an interior paint, high-gloss can also be used as an outdoor detail as well, on things like shutters.
prep work is important when using this finish—it can show many imperfections when applied incorrectly.