Types Of Paint And Finishes That Are Best For Homes

Being a professional painting company, we know just how many types of paint there are. There are 2 main types, 5 different sheens, primer, and countless brands.

It’s like being a kid in a candy store, but the candy you pick is the one you’ll have for years. It can be overwhelming for many people. Confusion often comes with it because how do you know which to use where?

Due to our training and experience, we have the answers you’re looking for.

2 Types Of Paint

The two main types of paint are oil-based and latex-based. Oil-based paints are attractive and durable, but they’re hard to handle and have harmful VOCs. Water-based paints are easy to handle and work well on most surfaces, but they may not last as long or look as good.

1.Oil-Based Paint

To be honest, this type of paint is on its way out. This is because of the strong smell when painting, long drying times, it’s harder to clean, and the higher levels of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) it emits.

It does have an attractive shine to it and is great for trim or millwork like doors and cabinets. 

Overall, it may be better to go with water-based paints (sometimes called latex-based). You can paint over oil-based paints with water-based if you prime the oil first.

2. Water-Based Paint

This type of paint is just as good and better than oil-based. It doesn’t yellow or amber like oil-based can, it’s easier to clean, dries quickly, resists cracking, and is easy to work with.

Some water-based paint might not look as rich as oil-based paints or last as long. The premium ones can last just as long, but it’ll cost more.

5 Types Of Paint Finishes

There are 5 types of paint finishes: flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. These paint finishes look different and work better in certain areas than others. The differences are in sheen, ease of cleaning, and durability.

1. Flat/Matte

This type of paint finish is best for adult bedrooms and low traffic areas. It has the least amount of shine and is the hardest to clean. It does hide imperfections quite well.

2. Eggshell

This is one of the most popular paint finishes for main rooms. Living rooms, hallways, entrances, and other areas are ideal for eggshell finishes. It has a soft, velvety look that’s not quite flat or shiny. It’s fairly durable and easy to clean.

3. Satin

This type of paint finish is mostly used for high traffic walls, trim and cabinets. It’s easy to clean and mildew resistant, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Kid rooms are great for satin finishes too.

4. Semi-Gloss

Even easier to clean and moisture resistant, semi-gloss is great for laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. It’s shiny and looks great, though it does make imperfections easier to see.

5. Gloss

This is the shiniest of the types of paint finishes. It’s ideal for cabinets, doors, and trim. Gloss is actually too shiny for most walls. It can be slightly blinding and any imperfections in the walls show up.

Primer

We can’t forget to mention one of the most important types of paint! Primer is necessary for almost every paint job.

It helps paint adhere better. This makes your paint job look better for longer, meaning you’ll have to paint it fewer times. Primer also keeps the old paint from showing through the new paint.

There are oil-based and water-based primers. The one you use depends on which type of paint is on the wall, if there is one, and which you’ll be using.

The Best Types Of Paint For You

These are the different types of paint and where they work best. You can choose the best one for your project or know which one the painting pro you hire should be using.