Paint Basics

Thinking of renovating the interior of your house this summer? Painting a room can be all it might take to alter the appearance and mood of a space. Read on to find out about the types of paints that are available. A handy checklist is also provided describing what kind of paint is suitable for which area of your house.

Types of Paints

There are two kinds of paints - latex and oil based. Both have very different properties. Here is a comparison:

• Oil-Based Paint - These paints are long-lasting and durable. As they flow freely, they are suitable to cover a rough surface. They clean very easily. The disadvantages are that they are expensive and a lot more paint is required to cover a given surface as compared to latex paints. Also they are more difficult to work with and might not be suitable for beginners.
• Latex Paints - These paints are not as durable as oil-based paints. They are more prone to fading as well. But they are very easy to clean. As they are thicker than oil-based paints, the quantity of paint required is less. These paints are ideal for the house environment.

Also paints are different for interior and exterior applications:

• Exterior Paints - These paints need to be able to withstand various climatic changes, should be fade resistant. Also they should not be prone to mildew, etc.
• Interior Paints - These paints need to be easy to clean up, resistant to stains, and should be easily touched up.

Paint Finish

Paints can provide three kinds of finishes to your walls and ceilings:

• Gloss - A glossy surface is smooth and shiny. This kind of finish is the easiest to clean. It is also resistant to stains. It can cause glare in bright lights.
• Semi-Gloss/Satin - In this finish, small amounts of "shiny" particles are added to give some lustre. They are easy to clean but should not be rubbed too much. This finish will not create a glare. This can be used for light and dark colors alike.
• Flat - In this surface finish, there is no lustre at all. The paint absorbs all the light without creating any reflection of any sort. This is the ideal finish for a warm and cozy ambiance.
The copyright of the article Paint Basics in Building Construction is owned by Shefali Kumar. Permission to republish Paint Basics in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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