We've all been there. Painting the exterior or interior of your house is something that has to be done once every few years to keep a nice facade and especially to keep moisture away... above other things, so you will inevitably come to a daunting moment - picking the right paint.
That might not always be an easy task regardless of what your favourite colour might be. There are several options one might choose from based on their qualities.
Paint is a LOT more complicated than you'd think.
What makes paint what it is its composition, a mixture of resin, carrier and pigmentation which allow it to keep water away up to a point and to look as nice as we were hoping it would. The main ingredient used is titanium dioxide, which acts as the base white used. Other types of pigmentation are added on to give the mixture its particular hue later. The resin used helps paint stick to its target surface and the carrier is usually the substance which allows the paint to thin so it can be applied to surfaces. What makes paint prices fluctuate are the actual materials used and their grade as well, so choosing the right paint is tricky. Titanium dioxide is the most expensive ingredient and the more of it is in the mixture, the more expensive it becomes.
Latex or oil-based paints are the point of the dilemma most home owners find themselves in. Latex paints offer an easier alternative when it comes to painting since they are easier to clean up, though oil-based alkyd paints give a great finish and seal surfaces very nicely. Both of those options are great, though the latter is usually used on the outside because of its properties.
Traditionally latex paints are water-based and among that category we have paints like fully 100% acrylic, vinyl-acrylic and also alkyd-modified paint.
The more acrylic the content of a paint, the better adhesion they have and their colours retain for longer periods too without fading.
On the other hand enamel-based and alkyd house paints are suitable for any material though they are generally more resilient to abrasion and wear and tear. For that reason we use them outside because of their hard finish on doors, windows and house siding. Regardless of its higher quality base there exist a problem in that there are contaminants which evaporate from the paint and into the air. Some US states have banned the use of such paints on grounds of air quality regulations and for various reasons that makes it an expensive choice in states that allow its use. Alkyd paints are very useful because of their ability to adhere to glossy surfaces where latex-based paints have trouble and they take a longer time to dry off, which allows smoothing out defects and marks. They are thick and apply too well and in greater quantities unfortunately they may even sag.
The gloss of the paint comes from the ratio between resin and pigment and for that reason there are many levels of luster in the world of paints. The usual classification goes along the terms of flat, pearl, eggshell, gloss, semi-gloss and satin. Manufacturers have variations on the subject and overall because of the wide variety possible when it comes to luster and pigmentation the choices are literally nigh-limitless. It is possible to apply a glossy texture over your paint later on by using a high-gloss finish with a water base which has the advantage of looking almost like it was sprayed-on.
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