At least once in our lives, we’ve all been faced with the question: which paint should I choose for my interior?
That’s why we’ve decided to step in and create this article devoted to interior paints. In it, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make the right decision: finishes, types, applications and paint manufacturers. 1, 2, 3, paint!
Paint finishing
As well as the desired colour, it’s the look of the paint that will determine your choice for each room. Here are the 4 main finishes and the rooms in the house where they can best be used.
Matt paint
It produces almost no reflection, which means it can camouflage defects and irregularities in surfaces, especially in renovation work. However, it cannot be washed off, so should only be used on ceilings or in areas where there is no risk of staining.
Which rooms should be painted with matt paint?
Thanks to its sober, warm and muted feel, matt paint is perfect for walls in adult bedrooms or living rooms.
Gloss paint
This is the tightest, brightest finish in this selection. Gloss paint is solid and easy to wash off. On the other hand, it requires a perfect, flawless wall, which is why it is often only used on new buildings.
Which rooms should be paint with gloss paint?
Its durability and luminous appearance make it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, damp rooms and garages.
Satin paint
Satin paint is solid, non-glossy over time and easy to wash off. It’s an excellent compromise between matt and gloss paints.
Which rooms should be paint with satin paint?
It’s perfect for walls in exposed areas such as children’s bedrooms, corridors, entrances, kitchens, bathrooms and toilets.
Velvet paint
Its silky finish is perfect for warm rooms. Velvet paint is a compromise between matt and satin: it’s easy to maintain and can be washed.
Which rooms should be paint with velvet paint ?
Its low reflectivity makes it ideal for bedrooms and living rooms.
Types of paint
There are two main types: water-based paint (aqueous paint) and oil-based paint (solvent-based paint).
In addition to their main characteristics, bear in mind that water-based paint is cleaned with water, while oil-based paint is cleaned with an appropriate solvent.
Water-based paint
Acrylic
The wall paint par excellence! It’s odourless and less polluting than oil-based paints (with fewer solvents and a very short drying time). Dilution and cleaning of application tools are done with water.
Here you can read about how to spray acrylic paint using an airless sprayer.
Alkyde
Containing alkyd resin, this type of paint is more resistant than acrylic paint. Alkyd also has a low odour, short drying time, good tightness and increased resistance.
Organic
Organic or natural paint is made from resins of plant or mineral origin (clay, lime, casein, linseed oil, etc.). It contains no volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs (see the paragraph below for more information on this subject), is not harmful to health and does not harm the environment. In terms of quality, it is equivalent to a good acrylic paint.
Oil paintings
Glycerol
Less and less used because of its high pollution and VOC content, glycerol paint is diluted and cleaned with a solvent such as White Spirit. Its advantages are a high level of opacification, a very good stretched appearance and all-round resistance.
Epoxy
This paint is also made from oils like glycerol, but with more accentuated performance. It is normally used for floors, but can also be applied to walls. The advantages of epoxy paint are its high hiding power, durability and aesthetic appeal.
Two-component polyurethane
This is a paint that requires two materials to be mixed together: the base and its hardener. It has a solid, glossy finish and, above all, is resistant to traffic, making it perfect for covering floors. On the other hand, it is polluting and takes a long time to dry.
Other types of paint
Other paints include those for metals (anti-rust), exteriors (pliolite), damp rooms (water-repellent) and mineral-based paints (silicate or lime). There are also thermal (or insulating) paints, pollution-removing paints and even anti-odour paints. Ask your supplier for more information – there’s a paint for every purpose.
What about primer or undercoat?
A primer is a technical paint, often very fluid, designed to prepare the finish by levelling the substrate and reducing its porosity. It evens out the surface, “blocking” it so that it doesn’t absorb the finishing paint. The paint can then adhere perfectly to the substrate without any unpleasant surprises.
The choice of undercoat depends on the type of paint. For acrylic paint, for example, choose an acrylic primer. It’s as simple as that!
About volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs, are chemicals found in paints. They diffuse easily into the air when they are applied and can last for several years.
Suspected carcinogens, their effects on health include :
- irritation of the respiratory tract
- irritation of mucous membranes and skin
- sleep disturbance
- headaches and dizziness
- itching
- reduced reproductive capacity
That’s why we always recommend that you wear a respiratory mask when painting, and ventilate the rooms thoroughly afterwards.
Choosing a paint for roller application or an airless painter?
Basically, all wall paints can be applied with a brush or roller. Depending on the materials used, each paint has a certain viscosity.
Some paints are sold under the name of airless paint, which means that they are ready to use and do not need to be thinned. But as a general rule, you can dilute a conventional paint by 5-10% to make it easier to apply with an airless spray gun.
Still undecided about switching to airless? Take a look at the speed and ease of application with an airless spray gun in the video below, and discover all the advantages of this technology in our article: Airless: working techniques, choice of machines and manufacturers.
As for the drying time of a paint, this will depend on the ambient temperature and the level of humidity inside.
This can increase the overall duration of your roller job, as you’ll have to wait before applying the second coat.
But not with an airless sprayer, because with a firecracker, you don’t need to apply a second coat! For more information on spray painting, click here.
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Questions or queries?
For any further questions or if you would like to get your hands on one of these products seen in this article, you can contact us on +49 (0) 30 220 15436, fill out our contact form or email us. If you wish to purchase one of the products mentioned above, you can check them out in our online store. You can also visit us at our service base during office hours.
