Interior house painting in Livermore projects comes in various sizes and complexities. Whether you’re simply painting your bedroom walls with a fresh pastel hue or giving your entire home a major overhaul, you need a type of paint that works best for your situation.
If the vast array of colors makes choosing interior paints overwhelming, consider other things, such as the paint’s composition, sheen, and finish. These factors can impact the paint’s durability, finished look, color retention, and the level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) emissions.
Do you need some help? Consult Livermore’s painting contractors to help you discover the best type of paint for your interior walls. It pays to research the right products for your next interior painting project.
The best interior paint options
All paints on this list are water-based, making them the safest and most environmentally-friendly option for indoor painting. However, you want to make sure the area is well-ventilated before painting it.
1) Latex paint
Latex paints are currently the most popular choice for house painting for many reasons. They are inexpensive, budget-friendly, and available in various colors and finishes.
Latex paints contain synthetic binders such as acrylic resin and polyvinyl acetate. As they are water-based, latex paints are pretty elastic as they expand and contract to temperature fluctuations. They also dry and cure quickly. These attributes make latex paints a sound choice for interior walls, trims, and ceilings.
2) Acrylic paint
Acrylic paints have much the same composition and use as latex paints. However, they contain greater amounts of acrylic polymers than latex. These properties give acrylic paints a thicker and more viscous consistency, making them more flexible, durable, and long-lasting than their latex counterparts. But like latex, acrylic paints are easy to clean with soap and water.
These factors make acrylic paints the better option for painting bathroom and kitchen walls, cabinetry, basements, and trims. They are more expensive than latex, though.
3) Emulsion paint
Emulsion paints give off a glossy finish without the problems associated with latex and acrylic. They can be the best choice for interior house painting as they dry fast and remain flexible even when exposed to high temperatures, so they are not prone to chipping and cracking.
Emulsion paints are non-toxic, highly durable, long-lasting, and resistant to cleaning and scrubbing. They also have reasonable amounts of quality pigments. Though costly, emulsion paints offer superior performance over other water-based paints.
4) Distemper paint
Distemper paint, or cement paint, can be applied directly to the surface without requiring priming. But like all paints, it requires good prep work on the surface before using it.
Distemper paints give a nice, matte finish. These paints do not crack when exposed to sunlight. They are also non-toxic, eco-friendly, versatile, and affordable. Distemper paints have been used for centuries as decorative paint for walls and ceilings. However, they are not water- and scratch-resistant, so you can’t use them in wet areas. Their lack of waterproofing is why distemper paints are primarily used for interior decoration.
Types of paint finishes
When choosing interior paints, consider the type of finish and not just the formula. Interior paints give off a finish that tells you how they look once they dry.
1) Flat or matte – Although “flat” and “matte” are used interchangeably, there are differences between them. The flat has no sheen, while matte has a very low luster. Flat or matte paints provide excellent coverage and hide from surface flaws. However, they are the least durable and most prone to marks and scuffing, so they are best used for low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms. These paints are also ideal for ceilings.
2) Eggshell – Eggshell paints offer a slight sheen compared to flat or matte paints, making them easier to clean and more resistant to scuffing. They are also excellent in hiding surface flaws so you can use them for areas with moderate traffic, such as living rooms, dining areas, and guest bathrooms.
3) Satin – Despite the name, satin paints give off a velvety sheen. They are glossier than eggshells but not as glossy as semi-gloss and high-gloss. However, the paint’s shiny and reflective quality reveals some surface imperfections.
Together with eggshell, satin paints are the most popular choice for interior painting because they play a “happy medium” between flat and glossy paints. As they are resistant to scratches and moisture, satin paints are used for areas with high traffic and humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways. They are also easy to clean.
4) Semi-gloss – Semi-gloss paints give off a much more noticeable sheen and reflectivity than eggshell and satin. Semi-gloss paints are more durable and resistant to moisture, scuffing, and scrubbing. These paints are typically used on doors, trims, and other areas where their shiny appearance won’t attract unwanted attention.
5) High-gloss or glossy – High-gloss or glossy paints are the shiniest and most durable of the bunch. They are also the easiest to clean. Their highly reflective, mirror-like appearance attracts the eye. However, the high level of sheen can reveal dents, patches, etc., that might be distracting. They are best used for doors, trims, railings, and cabinetry. You can also use high-gloss paints for accent walls to add drama to your interior design. Good prep work on the surface is necessary before applying glossy paints because they show any surface flaws.
No matter which paints you choose, make sure that your interior walls are cleaned well and free from surface flaws before applying them. Good prep work on the surface ensures the painting goes smoothly and guarantees a solid, flawless, and long-lasting finish.
Painting your home is a big undertaking, so it’s best to leave it to an affordable painter near me! At Custom Painting, Inc., we have what it takes to do the job right. Call us at (510) 795-0903, set up an appointment to discuss your painting needs. We’ll give you a free quote.