HomeTriangle Guides: 5 Types Of Wall Paint Explained

Find the easiest and most cost-effective methods to upgrade your walls with wall paint. Read in detail about the types of wall paints and methods to use them!

HomeTriangle Guides: 5 Types Of Wall Paint Explained
Guides: 5 Types Of Wall Paint Explained
half painted wall in blue paint

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to upgrade the overall look of your home is with a fresh coat of paint. It is imperative to ensure that you choose the right type of paint, finish, and color to customize and personalize your home decor. There are a lot of options to choose from and that could seem overwhelming. So, how do you choose the best paint and finish for your home? Don’t worry, because we’ve made it easy

orange paint roller next to a wall

Read HomeTriangle guide on the top five different categories of paint available in the market including their pros and cons.

1. Acrylic Emulsion Paint

man painting a wall red

Most people prefer acrylic emulsion paints, mainly because they are water-based.

Pros:

  • Emulsion paint has very low VOC content (volatile organic compounds) and can dry quickly
  • The color has different finishes such as matte, satin, and silk
  • The coating is very strong and durable
  • Simply wipe the surface of the washable emulsion paint with a damp cloth dipped in water or a neutral soap solution to remove stains
  • Resistant to mold
  • It Will not fade when exposed to sunlight
  • The coating is based on acrylic, which makes the coating flexible and crack resistant
roller being used to paint a wall

Cons:

  • Emulsion paint needs a primer before painting
  • Another disadvantage is that any blemishes and ripples on the wall can be seen on the glossy surface of the latex paint

2. Enamel Paint

texture painting a wall

Enamel paint is a solvent- or oil-based paint that air-dries to a hard, usually glossy, finish, used for coating surfaces that are outdoors or otherwise subject to hard wear or variations in temperature.

Pros:

  • The enamel paint is extremely durable
  • It is shiny and gives the wall a rich appearance
  • Enamel coatings are most suitable for areas exposed to high humidity and high moisture
woman painting a wall pink

Cons:

  • One disadvantage is that enamel paint is not as flexible as emulsion paint. Over time, cracks may form
  • Enamel paint takes longer to dry
  • Another disadvantage is that the paint emits a strong smell, which may also be harmful to the well-being of the residents
  • A solvent such as turpentine is needed to clean the brush

3. Distemper Paints

roller being used to paint a wooden bench blue

Distemper paint is composed of chalk, lime, water, and some dyes. This color is often called 'bleaching' or 'whitewash'.

Pros:

  • Distemper paint is also called cement paint because it can be directly applied to the plastered surface without a primer
  • These colors will not crack when subjected to sunlight
  • Distemper paints are very cheap and can be used on interior and exterior walls
roller being used to paint a white wall

Cons:

  • Tempera paints cannot be washed off completely; they tend to peel off when wet

4. Textured Paints

textured paint

Everybody loves decorative walls with textured paint. These are water-based paints, and techniques such as sponge sponging, distressing, stippling, brushing, ragging, etc have certain effects on the walls.

Pros:

  • Textured paint can give the decorative wall a rustic appearance or the effect of marble, stucco, etc
  • Texture coatings are generally thicker than other common types of coatings
  • Texture paints are brilliant at covering minor defects like damaged walls, or even cracked walls
a room with textured walls

Cons:

  • Texture coatings are relatively more expensive than other traditional coating types
  • Once the textured paint surface is damaged, it is difficult to modify the surface with exactly the same color or texture
  • Only experienced painters can pull off texture painting

5. Metallic Paint

Metallic Paint
Metallic Paint

Metallic paint is a water-based paint that contains minute particles of metal, such as aluminum, copper, bronze, or stainless steel, and is best suited for an accent wall.

Pros:

  • This type of paint has a metallic texture and makes the room look luxurious
  • Metallic paint is an excellent substitute for wallpaper
Pros and cons of Metallic Paint
Pros and cons of Metallic Paint

Cons:

  • These paints are very expensive, but on the other hand, only a small part of the wall coated with metallic paint can produce amazing results
Trending wall paints
Trending wall paints

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