How To Choose The Right Latex Paint, The Difference In Types And Scope In The Apartment

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 22:24

• Latex paint qualities
• Types of latex paint
• The choice of water-based paint
• Ceiling painting
• Outdoor work
• Water-based paint brands
• Manufacturing firms and their advantages

Latex paint is a new versatile way to decorate rooms, both inside and out. It has a large number of positive properties, which makes it in demand for painting almost all elements during construction, repair or reconstruction:

• Wooden walls, plastered, brick, concrete.
• Wood ceilings (chipboard, fiberboard, plasterboard, putty, foam panels and skirting boards).
• Facades (exterior wall decoration from any materials except metal).
• Decorative plaster finish.

Latex paint qualities

The scope of latex paint is explained by its properties and qualities:

1. Latex paint for walls, ceilings and other surfaces can be easily tinted into any color.
2. Resistance to both low and high temperatures (from -20 to 30-40 ° C).
3. Apply evenly and well with a roller with a medium-bristled coat.
4. It has excellent water dispersion properties, which allows it to be diluted with ordinary water.
5. No smell and high environmental friendliness.
6. Does not burn.
7. It has antiseptic and antifungal properties.
8. Resistant to weather and mechanical stress.

Like any other finishing material, acrylic or latex paint is not entirely positive. It cannot be tinted in a bright and saturated color, such as oil. It is also less resistant to humid environments. Manufacturers were able to improve the latter quality by including stronger polymers and special hardeners in the composition.

Types of latex paint

Latex water-based paint gets its name from the chemical composition and the way it is made. Depending on this, the following types of paints can be distinguished:

• acrylic;
• polyvinyl acetate;
• styrene butadiene;
• acrylosilicone.

All these are the chemical names of the polymers that make up the paint, which are usually indicated in small print on the package in a hard-to-reach place. It is on them that the properties and scope of the material depend. Usually, when choosing, attention is paid to the large inscription "Latex", which flaunts on the front side of the can and additional inscriptions "moisture resistant", "front" and so on. Latex, by its physical and chemical structure, is an emulsion of fine particles, which are polymeric powdery substances. Based on their physical properties, latex paints have a second common name - water-based or water-dispersible.

Given the fact that acrylic paint is a kind of latex paint, the question is, "Which paint is better, acrylic or latex?" not relevant. Many people confuse species and type, which leads to misinformation and false searches. All cans of acrylic paint have the inscription "latex", which indicates the structure of the paint - emulsion, and not about the composition.

Acrylic has excellent properties for strengthening the structure of paint coatings. They are resistant to abrasion and washing. Also in such paints, butadiene acetate polymer is often present. It makes the coatings elastic. It is these properties that will soon almost completely replace alkyd and oil paints.

Also, latex paint can be of several types, depending on the structure:

• matte;
• glossy.

But there is not such a shiny gloss as in alkyd enamels. With the right combination with design and other decorative elements, this property may well become a plus.

Matte water emulsion can be:

• deep matte;
• semi-matte;
• matte.

Glossy, in turn, can also have several textures:

• semi-gloss;
• glossy;
• super glossy.

Most manufacturers of these paints can also indicate on the packaging such texture parameters as:

• silky glossy;
• velvety matte.

The choice of paint texture depends on the desired result and design solution.

The choice of water-based paint

The first question that will be asked by an experienced sales assistant in a hardware store will be - "What will you paint?" The type of recommended paint depends on this.

Ceiling painting

If the ceiling is to be painted indoors, then latex ceiling paint is chosen. The bank will say so. In this case, any of the options presented is suitable here: both matte and glossy. With the correct application technology (a roller with a medium-pile fur coat, a soft wide brush in vast or difficult to see places), the surface is uniform both in color and texture. The ceiling material can be any: wood, chipboard, fiberboard or drywall. But before painting, of course, you need to prepare the surface. If it is a wooden lining, then it is enough to patch up the defects with a putty and sand it with sandpaper. If drywall is used, then the putty put in a uniform thin layer will give the necessary uniformity and texture.

Here you should be careful with the choice of the degree of matte and gloss, because glossy paint lays down in a thinner layer and emphasizes irregularities and minor scratches, matte paint perfectly hides all this. You should also consider the degree of humidity in the room. If it is a kitchen, toilet or bathroom, then it is better to choose paints with the words "Moisture resistant". For example, these include the domestic paint "Gamma".

It is not recommended to prime the surface with special compounds before painting. Instead, it is better to use the same paint, only diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 5. It dries much faster, while creating the necessary matte base for comfortable roller work. It is better to clean the surface well with sandpaper and clean it from dust with a brush.

Outdoor work

For outdoor work, choose paints with appropriate inscriptions. The Finnish company Tikkurila produces a wide range of paints for both outdoor and indoor use. At the same time, there are also moisture-resistant, wear-resistant, decorative (with a velvet effect). These are Euro 2, Euro 3, Euro 7, Euro 12, Luya, Harmony and others.

The consumption of latex paints from different manufacturers is different, and it is indicated in the ratio of 1 liter to a certain amount of m ². All types are applied in two layers, ensuring complete drying of the previous one. It can be either 1 hour or several hours, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment.

Water-based paint brands

Today in the hardware store you can find a wide variety of both individual brands and types within the same paint manufacturer. Moreover, each latex paint has its own specific properties, which distinguishes them in terms of use.

Manufacturing firms and their advantages

Today on the market you can find a large number of a wide variety of manufacturers of latex paints: KABE, Ceresit, Dali, Prestige, Polirem, Terraco, Parade, Renoton, Ultra, Sniezka, Braska, Dulux, Caparol, Olimp, Condor and others.

Let's consider some brands in more detail.

Sniezka is one of the most popular brands of paints that withstands direct sunlight perfectly, lends itself well to washing and does not crack over time. The consumption of the emulsion is 1 liter per 14 m ² when applying 2 layers.

Dulux is an English company that produces high quality and durable latex paints. The assortment includes emulsions for all types of wallpaper, as well as texture. The velvety matte Dulux V Sheen is very popular and has a lot of positive reviews. The advantages and, perhaps, the differences of this brand include the smallest consumption, which is 1 liter per 14-16 m ².

The German brand Caparol is equally popular and of high quality. Available in both velvety matte and silky gloss latex paint for walls and ceilings in kitchens and corridors. This material has one of the highest costs, which is 1 liter per 6-7 m ².

All costs for cans of latex paints are indicated when applied to a flat and smooth surface.

Russian paint Olimp, although it does not have such fame as foreign ones due to its lower quality properties, but it is in great demand due to the lowest cost. By applying more layers, you can achieve uniformity of texture and color. Find out the paint consumption using an online calculator.