The Different Types of Paint for Your Home DIY Projects

If you’re looking to do some home improvement or renovation, you’re going to need paint! Nothing freshens up a room quite like a new coat of paint, but with all the different types of paint for your home available on the market today, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your project.

This article will discuss the different types of paint available and what each one is best used for.

So whether you’re painting a new room, furniture or giving your house exterior a fresh coat, read on for all the information you need!

But first, let’s start with the basics.

What Is Paint?

Paint is a type of material that is typically used to cover, preserve and decorate a surface. It is made up of a pigment or dye, a binder, additives, and a solvent.

The pigment or dye provides the color, while the binder helps the paint stick to the surface. The solvent helps the paint to spread out and dry quickly.

Paint can be applied to all kinds of surfaces, including wood, metal, glass, and plastic. It is available in many different colors, shades, and finishes.

What is a pigment?

Pigment is a finely ground powder that gives paint its color. It is made from a variety of materials, including minerals, clay, and organic matter.

The type of pigment used in paint can affect the paint’s durability, colorfastness, and opacity. In general, natural pigments are more durable and colorfast than synthetic pigments.

What is a binder?

Binders are a material that provides a binding effect that holds the pigments together to create a dry film on the surface. The three most common binders are:

• Acrylic
• Alkyd
• Epoxy

Some binders are liquid, others are solids that first have to be dissolved or mixed with a solvent (for example water or white spirit) in order to obtain a liquid binder.

The binder imparts gloss, durability, flexibility, and toughness properties.

What is solvent?

A solvent is a liquid that regulates the consistency of the paint, also known as viscosity. It is typically made from water, alcohol, or petroleum. It is volatile and doesn’t stay in the paint once it dries.

The type of solvent used in a paint can affect the drying time, durability, and odor of the paint. Water-based solvents are less smelly and dry more quickly than alcohol- or petroleum-based solvents.

What additives are used?

Additives are materials that are added to paint to improve its performance. Common additives include catalysts, thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, texturizers, adhesion promoters, mildewcides, UV inhibitors, and anti-fading agents.

Now that we’ve discussed the different types of materials that make up paint, let’s take a look at the different types of paint available.

What Kind of Paints Are There?

The types of paint available on the market today are many and varied. It can be difficult to know which one is right for your project.

The different kinds of paint can be grouped into two main categories: water-based and oil-based.

Water-based paint is made with a water-soluble binder and water-soluble pigments. It is typically easy to clean up with just soap and water.

Oil-based paint is made with an oil-soluble binder and oil-soluble pigments. It is typically more durable and longer-lasting than water-based paint, but it can be more difficult to clean up.

Water-Based Paints

Nowadays, most paints are water-based. This type of paint is typically easier to apply, dries more quickly, and is less smelly than oil-based paint.

The only time I use oil-based paint nowadays is for priming metal or on bare wood on a house exterior after I have scraped it.

The technology for water-based paint has come a long way in recent years. Surfaces that usually needed an oil-based paint can now be replaced with a water-based paint, such as primers with a sealing function.

Acrylic Latex paint

Latex paint was developed in the 1940s and is now the most common type of paint used.

Latex is the technical term for a suspension of polymer microparticles in water, solidifying by coalescence of the polymer particles as the water evaporates.

Interior latex house paints tend to be a combination of binder (sometimes acrylic, vinyl, PVA, and others). Exterior latex house paints may also be a co-polymer blend, but the best exterior water-based paints are 100% acrylic, due to elasticity and other factors.

Latex paint is used on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, drywall, and masonry. It can be applied to most surfaces as long as they are properly prepared beforehand.

Acrylic-Alkyd Hybrid

Acrylic-alkyd hybrid paints have been accessible to contractors for a while, but they are still relatively unknown among most homeowners.

These paints have all the good qualities of oil-based paint such as leveling, hardness, flow and open time, while still providing easy soap-and-water cleanup and resistance to yellowing over time.

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints have been around for centuries and were the only type of paint available until the development of water-based paints in the 1940s.

They are typically more durable and longer-lasting than water-based paint, but they take longer to dry than water-based paints.

Alkyd paint

Decorative gloss paints typically contain alkyd polymers (resins). Alkyd (oil) based binders are made from various oil derivatives such as linseed oil, tung oil, and soya oil.

Traditional alkyd paints dry to a very hard finish and provides superior adhesion and leveling. However, they will yellow in light colors over time and are prone to chalking, which is caused by sunlight, when used on exterior surfaces.

Epoxy paint

Epoxy resins are often used as the binder in industrial coatings. They give the paint excellent adhesion and are highly resistant to chemicals and physical resistance where necessary, for example, on ships and fuel tanks.

Other Variants of Paint

When choosing a paint always go for water-based paints when you’re painting your interior. The VOCs (Volatile Organic Compound) in oil-based paint make you dizzy, nauseous and gives you a headache in my experience.

When painting parts of your house exterior you should always go for oil-based when it comes to the prep work such as priming metal and bare wood.

Primer

A primer is a paint that is applied before the main coat of paint. It helps to improve the adhesion of the topcoat and provides a more uniform surface for painting.

Varnish

Varnish is a clear coating that is applied over a painted surface. It provides protection from scratches and stains, and can also give the paint a glossy finish.

Varnish is primarily used as a wood finish where the grains in the wood are intended to be visible.

It can be pigmented as desired and comes in various shades.

Enamel

Enamel paint is a type of paint that dries to a hard, durable finish. It is often used for painting surfaces that will be subject to wear and tear, such as cabinets, trim, and doors.

Stain

A few stains are meant for concrete, but most stains are meant to be used on wood. It is typically transparent or semi-transparent so that the grain of the wood is still visible.

Stain is thinner than paint and penetrates the surface and it can’t be used on painted surfaces.

It enhances and preserves the natural beauty of the raw wood as well as the wood texture.

Glaze

Glaze is a type of paint that is applied over a base coat of paint. It gives the paint a translucent, shimmery, or glossy finish. Glaze is often used on walls to give a faux finish.

Chalkboard Paint

Chalkboard paint is a type of paint that can be used to create a chalkboard surface on any wall. It is typically black in color and can be used with chalk to write or draw on the surface.

Chalk paint

Chalk paint is a decorative paint that results in a chalky, matte finish that may be applied over almost any surface.

This paint is intended for use on furniture and other home décor to achieve a specific result, such as shabby chic, and vintage.

It requires very little preparation and needs a top coat to avoid flaking but which also may enhance the decorative characteristics.

Mineral Paint

Mineral paint, also known as silicate paint, is made with inorganic minerals and doesn’t require a primer. It’s used for masonry and new construction because it penetrates deep into the surface, providing long-lasting protection from the elements.

It’s also breathable, which means it won’t trap moisture in the walls of your home.

It can be applied to concrete, masonry blocks, bricks, sandstone, and most absorbent building stones.

What Are The Different Levels of Paint Gloss?

The gloss makes a difference when it comes to both the look and the durability of the paint.

Paint with a high gloss finish will have a shiny, reflective surface. This type of paint is typically used for trim work or cabinets and is easy to keep clean.

Paint with a low gloss finish will have a more muted, matte surface. This type of paint is typically used for walls.

Paint with no gloss finish will have an even more muted, flat surface. This type of paint is typically used for ceilings.

The majority of interior paint jobs utilize satin or eggshell on the walls, while semi-gloss is used on the trim; if you’re unsure about what gloss to choose, this traditional combination can’t go wrong.

Flat

Flat gloss is used on ceilings because it reflects very little light and is therefore good at hiding imperfections.

It’s difficult to remove stains from flat paints, so they’re not recommended in areas where there is a lot of movement.

Matte

The matte finish is nearly as shine-free as a flat finish, providing good hide and depth of color while also having somewhat more durability.

Eggshell

Eggshell gloss is one step glossier than matte finish. Eggshell also tends to resist stains better than flat or matte paint, although not as well as semi-gloss and high gloss paints.

This gloss is suited for most areas of a home and is perfect for areas with a lot of activity, such as a dining area or a child’s room.

Low sheen/Satin

Low sheen/satin gloss is similar to eggshell but has a slightly higher gloss. They’re a good option for rooms where you want a little gloss, but excellent cleaning abilities are also required, such as kitchens, laundry areas, and bathrooms.

Although the slightly glossy finish tends to highlight surface imperfections more than flat paints.

Semi-gloss

Semi-gloss paints have a somewhat shiny surface and aren’t as reflective as gloss paints. They have excellent stain resistance, are simple to maintain, and are commonly used in spaces that require a lot of scrubbings, such as in a kitchen or bathrooms.

It’s a popular finish and is most commonly used on windows, trim, cabinets, and doors.

Gloss

Even shinier than semi-gloss paints, gloss types of paint are very reflective and will highlight surface imperfections so make sure the surface is smooth before you start painting with this gloss.

It’s typically used in a kitchen, bathrooms, and on doors and cabinets.

High gloss

High gloss sits on top of the sheen chart with a mirror-like finish.

It’s simple to maintain, stain-resistant, and will give your doors, trim, and cabinets a beautiful finish.

This high sheen finish will show the slightest imperfections, so it’s important to make sure the surface is completely smooth before you start painting.

It will even show the markings from a paintbrush and is best applied with a paint sprayer and should preferably be applied by a professional for best results.

FAQ

A lot of questions come up when homeowners are considering painting their homes.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions to help you with your home painting project.

Home Interior

How much paint do I need?

The general rule is that you will need one gallon of paint for every 400 square feet.

But keep in mind that this is just a general guideline and you may need more or less depending on the specific paint, the brand, the surface, etc.

It’s always better to have too much paint than not enough.

What is the best paint for a bathroom?

The best type of paint for a bathroom’s walls and ceiling is an acrylic moisture and mildew-resistant paint that is formulated for humid environments. These paints come in different glosses, even matte.

An acrylic-alkyd hybrid paint is best suited for trim, door and window frames in a bathroom.

These types of paints have excellent durability and can withstand repeated washings.

What is the best paint for a kitchen?

A kitchen is a space that is exposed to a lot of activity, grease and steam. So the best type of paint for a kitchen is one that can withstand a lot of scrubbing and is resistant to stains.

A urethane reinforced acrylic paint with satin, semi-gloss, gloss or high gloss paint is best used on cabinets in kitchens.

The walls and the ceiling don’t need to be that glossy but they need to be durable and wipeable, so a 100% acrylic paint with an eggshell/satin sheen would be a good option here.

What is the best type of paint for trim and doors?

Doors and trim are exposed to a lot of wear and tear so the best type of paint for these surfaces is one that is durable and can withstand a lot of scrubbing. An acrylic or a water-reducible alkyd paint with sarin, semi-gloss, gloss or high gloss is typically used on trim and doors.

What is the best paint for a living room/bedroom/hallway?

The walls and ceilings in these areas aren’t as exposed as a kitchen or bathroom so an acrylic latex paint with an eggshell/satin sheen is a good option for living rooms, bedrooms and hallways.

What sheen should I use on ceilings?

For ceilings, the best sheen is either flat or matte.

What is the best type of paint for furniture?

The best type of paint for furniture is a water-based urethane modified alkyd paint with a gloss of your choice. It is extremely durable and an excellent choice for furniture that is exposed to a lot of wear and tear such as tables, chairs, dressers, etc.

What is the best type of paint for wooden floors?

A water-based acrylic urethane paint is the best type of paint for wooden floors. It is very durable and provides a finish that will protect your floors from scratches, scuffs, and stains.

Home Exterior

What is the best type of paint for a home’s exterior?

The best type of paint for a home’s exterior is a 100% acrylic paint. The finish provides a breathable surface and is very durable.

It can be applied to a wide variety of exterior surfaces such as wood, hardboard, vinyl and aluminum siding, shingles, unglazed brick, concrete, stucco, cinder block, and primed metal.

It is also resistant to fading and chalking, so it will keep your home’s exterior looking fresh and new for years to come.

What is the best type of paint for a deck?

A 100% acrylic latex paint is the best paint for a wooden deck. It has protection against mildew, UV damage and harsh weather conditions.

It dries fast and can usually be recoated within 4 hours.

Conclusion

There are a variety of different types of paints that you can use for your home DIY projects, both interior and exterior. The best type of paint to use depends on the specific project that you are working on.

Be sure to choose a durable paint that can withstand the elements and any wear and tear that it may be exposed to. With the right type of paint, your home projects will look great and last for years to come.

Thanks for reading! I hope this helped you out. 🙂