The experience of staying at home for the past year has made many people start looking at their home decor with new eyes: after all, our harmony has a lot to do with the environment in which we spend most moments.
Another important detail was having more time to dedicate ourselves to things that we didn’t have time for, such as redecorating our house. For these reasons and considering the economic issue of the famous “do it yourself”, That is, in Portuguese“ do it yourself ”, the demand for knowledge in paints and painting has increased a lot.
If you’re dying to redesign that room in your lifeless apartment or renovate that old wooden chair that belonged to your grandmother, here’s the right article on types of paints and all its features!
Types of paints to paint the wall
There are several types of paints to paint walls, but the most common are:
- Washable ink: it can be washed, as its name says. Soluble in water, the washable paint is easy to apply, almost odorless and repels water – for this reason it is difficult to stain it. The finish of the washable paint is slightly matte;
- Acrylic paint: it is soluble in water and waterproof. It has a quick drying, you do not need much time available to wait for it to dry. It has different types of finishes ranging from matte to satin. It is not necessary to give several coats and helps to disguise small imperfections in the walls;
- Odorless paint: as it has no smell, it is a great option to avoid possible allergic reactions. You can find it in a matte and satin finish. It is water based and quick drying.
- PVA latex paint: just like the odorless one, it has no strong smell and is soluble in water. However, it has a high sensitivity to water, so to clean this paint type great caution is needed, as any extra force can remove it. Its finish is matte.
- Epoxy paint: It is considered one of the most cost-effective inks on the list, as it is one of the most resistant. The finish of the epoxy paint differs depending on the tones. Light colors are usually matte, so if you want something brighter, opt for dark tones.
- Anti-mildew paint: it is specific for use on walls and ceilings and with its fungicidal or bactericidal formula that helps to preserve surfaces exposed to moisture. The finish can be matte, semi-gloss or satin.
- Oil paint: it is waterproof, easy to clean and has high durability. The finish of the oil paint can be matte or glossy.
- Lime ink: it is an artisanal process that is formed by the pigment, fixative plus the mixture. Because its use is advisable on surfaces with high porosity, it produces an aged or rustic effect. It is the most sustainable ink on the list and has a much lower cost.
Types of paint for painting
As for wall paints, we find numerous types of paints for painting, such as the ones below:
- Enamel paint: should only be used on iron and wood, since in masonry or plaster, it can easily peel or favor the formation of bubbles. It can be water-based or solvent-based. Its finish is with high gloss, but there are other versions that result in matte, satin or metallized.
- Varnish paint: usually uprotection for surfaces such as concrete, slate, stone, brick and, especially, wood in indoor and outdoor environments. It has a wide variety of colors and finishes, in addition to protecting the surface, decorating it.
- PVA latex paint: already explained in types of paint for walls;
- Acrylic paint: with explanation on the part about walls;
- Epoxy paint: also mentioned in the part about types of paints for walls.
Classification of paints
Inks can be classified according to their solvents. And they are divided into two types:
- Water-based paints: it does not have combustion in its main properties and they are non-toxic. But, on the other hand, they take a long time to dry and have a high surface tension, being contraindicated for low tension surfaces. They are great options for professional decoration, DIY and construction.
- Solvent-based paints: they are combustible, explosive and toxic. It has a wide variety of solvents involved (hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, esters and ethers) and, because of that, they are extremely resistant to climatic variations. They can be used in home paintings even in civil construction.
Types of paint for metal
The most suitable paint for painting metals is synthetic enamel. One of its most striking features is its high resistance, suitable for use in outdoor areas with incidence of sun and rain.
You can find it in three different finishes:
- Glossy: suitable for painting in indoor and outdoor areas. Because of its high gloss, it is extremely easy to clean;
- Satin: its soft shine promotes a fine finish and is suitable for use in indoor areas only;
- Frosted: its use should only be used indoors.
Types of wood paint
The best choice of a paint to be used on wood is one that protects the surface of the material. You types of paints for wood are:
- Acrylic paint;
- Latex paint;
- Spray paint;
- Epoxy paint;
- Synthetic enamel paint;
- Lacquer paint.
But the last two mentioned in the list above, are the ones that have the result with the desired effect on the decoration. In addition, lacquer paint needs previous handling experience, so only professional companies or painters have the necessary skills to use it.
Types of canvas paint
If you want to do something more artistic, like painting pictures, there are specific paints for this type of surface, such as:
- Acrylic paint: it has quick drying, which makes it difficult to paint several layers or make more defined strokes. It is also not easy to mix and apply to large surfaces. The shade of the paint tends to darken after drying. However, I came out easily with the water, it is not toxic and it does not smell;
- Oil paint: it takes a long time to dry, making it a great choice for long paintings, but it makes it difficult to draw definite lines. Colors do not change after drying. The mixture of colors is smooth, but over the years, the painting tends to turn yellow and oxidize the canvas. One of the major disadvantages is its toxicity and strong smell;
- Watercolor: its use is not so common, but they are easy to handle, have no smell and are non-toxic. However, they are not very defined and their tones are usually very clear.
Types of paints and varnishes
Varnish is a type of liquid product used to finish and protect wood. Although the use of varnish is more common in wood, there are other types that are used to be applied to concrete.
The main types of varnishes are:
- Marine varnish: recommended to enhance internal surfaces. But it is also used on external surfaces, such as terraces, for example. Helps protect against climate change, extending the natural beauty of wood. Can be used on new wood or repainting;
- Dye varnish: it gives color to the wood, enhancing the natural veins of the piece and protecting it from the weather in external areas;
- Copal varnish: it is indicated for surfaces in internal areas, new or repainting, with a glossy finish;
- Varnish premium: as the name suggests, it has a superior quality. When applied it forms a film with a high degree of penetration into the wood, preventing cracks or cracks. It prevents the appearance of fungi, mold or algae and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Types of wall paint finishes
Since each environment has different specificities, the paint finishes can vary in the same way. And this reason is not just for aesthetics, since by choosing the ideal texture, you gain more durability and less headache in the result:
- Semi-gloss finish: it is the one that most provides shine and light reflection to the surfaces. Ideal for walls without imperfections, it is indicated for humid environments, since it prevents the proliferation of mold and is easy to clean;
- Satin finish: it is between the semi-gloss and the matte. It helps to reflect the light, but in a more discreet way. Its texture resembles that of satin. It also has good resistance to moisture. They are good options for light tones and always prefer to choose it for walls that do not need cleaning since its retouching is difficult to carry out.
- Matte finish: excellent choice to standardize diffused lights in an environment. It helps to hide imperfections of a wall, with its velvety touch. Because it is difficult to clean and with little water resistance, it is recommended for living rooms and bedrooms.
Painting is easier than you think
Now knowing more about different types of inks and all the possibilities of use in paintings, you can start a project to change that corner of the house that was long forgotten.
The coolest thing is that it doesn’t require break-breaking and that you don’t need to put anyone outside your home to execute this idea. After reading about all the types of paints and features, what do you highlight with the most impact in this article? Leave it in the comments below!
