With several types of house paints in the market, it can be a confusing task to choose the right one to for your new project. Despite the several brands, paints are broadly classified into either the oil based or water based. There are other types of paints like primers, enamels, acrylics etc. The base is as important as the color as it can have a major effect on the character of a room.

Here below are the different types of paints used 

Types of Paints

• Water Based Paints

The majority of paint sold these days are water-based paints but oil based paints still remain a popular choice for woodwork, doors and furniture. When switching from oil based paints to water based ones, make sure that the oil coat is removed as the water based paints might not stick to it. When switching paints, wash and roughen the surfaces to prevent the new coat from peeling.

Advantages of water-based paints

1. Lower levels of toxic emission
2. Can be easily cleaned with water
3. The properties of water, helps in the process of drying fast
4. Flexible and resistant to cracking
5. The color remains stable for longer times.

• Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints are popular choice when you’re intent on achieving a glossy look. Oil-based paints are extremely popular for woodwork and furniture. These days water based products which provide an oil finish such as waterborne enamels or waterborne alkyds have been introduced. If you want to switch over to oil based paints from water based ones, clean the surface with the help of detergents before applying the coat of oil-based paint.

Advantages of oil-based paints

1. Appealing gloss and shine
2. Good leveling and a smooth finish
3. Extremely Durable

• Primer

Primer is usually not considered a paint, but is a very important element in painting projects as it acts as the preparatory coat. Primer ensures better adhesion of the paint on the surface. Primer can also be either water or oil based. Whenever taking up a new project make sure both the paint and primer are of the same base. Never mix the bases as the paint might fail to stick on it.

• Enamel

Enamel is an oil-based paint and the name is given due to its hardness and durability. These paints are glossy and are mostly used paint around the edges of windows, doors and furniture’s. Enamels discolor over time

• Acrylic

Acrylic is a water based house paint and the main ingredient used here for binding is acrylic. Acrylic paints have different varieties like acrylic latex, acrylic enamel or acrylic enamel-latex.

Paint Finishes

Paint Finishes help create a texture within a given scheme. There’s a basic rule to follow when choosing a paint is to choose one with high sheen because it provides a higher the shine and the higher the shine, the coat will be more durable.

Here below are the 5 different types of finishes        

• High Gloss High gloss finishes are the most durable and easiest to clean sheen of all. These finishes are hard, extremely shiny and reflects light. The downside to the high gloss finishes are that they reveal faults on the surface. High gloss sheen is used in spaces with a lot of sticky material like kitchens

• Semi-Gloss Not as shiny as the High gloss finish but still provides a decent shine and is extremely durable and easy to clean. Semi gloss sheen is good in rooms with a lot of moisture content and grease

• Satin Satin finishes are velvety and have good amount of luster. These finishes are extremely easy to clean and durable. The only downside to a satin finish is, it can reveal flows in brush strokes and touch ups are tricky. Satin sheen is predominantly used in places such as living rooms and foyers

• Eggshell Eggshell finishes are ones with pretty much no shine and very little luster like an egg. Eggshell finishes are good when covering imperfections. They are moderately durable. Eggshell finish is mainly used in places with gatherings such as dining room and living rooms

• Flat or Matte The matte sheen is the least reflective sheen and is good while hiding imperfections on surfaces. It offers great depth of color and is the most popular sheen in households. Can be difficult to clean and is moderately durable. Matte finish is used in bedrooms

If you feel that it's about time to get a fresh coat of paint for your place, get yourself equipped with the necessary knowledge regarding paints and sheen's. Do talk to some of the best painting services for good deals.