Paints provide a backdrop for your home interiors and need to be selected keeping their significance within the overall scheme in mind.

What’s the first thing that you notice on entering sombody’s apartment? Unless if they have a huge arteface right in front of the doorway, usually it is the shades of colour on the walls and ceiling. While there are many varieties of paints available, the new variants emerging within them have also multiplied. Let us look at some of the aspects to be understood.

Paints are increasingly becoming specialized due to innovative formulation. Paints affect human emotions, hence their selection ges beyond just picking out a colour. Paint beautifies, adds elegance and reflects the personality of home, hence it is very important to take efforts in planning the kind colours, shades, and paint styles.

In addition to adding a touch of panache and beauty to the house décor, paint plays a very crucial role in defending the house against bad weather, insects and other damage, so regular maintenance of paints is also essential.

As paint is considered to be among the initial steps when one gets into home décor; it is advisable to do proper planning and research while selecting particular kind for specific areas in the residence.

There are essentially two kinds of paint: oil based and water based. While pimer is not usually considered as paint, it is needed for painting projects. Always use a primer that matches the type of paint you are using.


Oil versus water

Oil based paint takes more time to dry than water based paint, which dries as fast as moisture can evaporate.

However, there are drying additives in oil based paints to aid in shorter drying times. The finish of oil based paints is glossier and harder than water based.

Water based paint is not as durable as oil based, and isn’t as shiny. In order to clean oil based paint you need to use harsh chemicals like paint thinner. A small amount of detergent and water will allow you to clean water based paint.
Enamel

Oil based paint is given the term “enamel” due to the hardness and durability of the paint.

These paints will also include gloss and semi-gloss paint finishes. It is mostly used around windows, doors and trim. Over time this paint can dis-color, however.


Acrylic

This is just another term for water based paint, but the binding ingredient in the paint is acrylic. Acrylic paint can be found in several varieties including acrylic latex, acrylic enamel or acrylic latex enamel.


DID YOU KNOW?

  • Latex is a term used to describe water based paint. There is actually no latex in the paint.

  • Acrylic is not a mixture of oil and water based paint.

  • Not all paint labeled acrylic actually contains it so study the label carefully.

  • Each paint type can have additives included in it. These paints can include anti-mildew properties as well as fire retardants.

  • There are also paints that have anti-condensation additives, making them popular in locations like the kitchen.