Acrylic, silicone, latex, or water-based – we’ll tell you which paint is best for painting walls in different rooms.
When choosing paint for walls in an apartment, it is important to pay attention not only to the color but, first of all, to the composition, as well as performance characteristics. Let’s look at each parameter in more detail.
Types of paint and varnish coatings
It is impossible to say unequivocally which paint for walls is better, because there is no single rating. The choice depends on your budget and the type of room you want to paint.
All materials can be divided into three groups: for external use, for internal use, and universal ones, which can be used in both cases. Logically, two types out of three are suitable for interior renovation: specialized colors and universal ones. Why shouldn’t you use materials intended for outdoor use?
The fact is that the coating for facade work may contain toxic antiseptics, and hardeners – substances that in a closed, unventilated space cause irritation and even allergic reactions. Only garage walls are suitable for painting this way.
Paint and varnish materials intended for interior work in a house or apartment come in two types: water-based and other solvents.
Water soluble
They are also called water dispersion, and emulsion – the difference is in the constituent components. They are popular because of their price and practicality: they dry quickly, are tinted well, do not smell, and fit perfectly on almost any surface.
At the same time, the cheapest, but not stable emulsion is based on PVA. It gets dirty easily and is susceptible to moisture. The walls are not covered with it, the maximum is the ceiling in a room with a non-aggressive environment, for example, in the living room or bedroom.
Acrylic
This paint contains aqueous dispersions of acrylic resins. After application, they form a thin protective film that is resistant to moisture and mechanical stress. This coating is suitable even for rooms with high humidity.
By the way, acrylic-based water dispersion works well on both wooden and concrete surfaces. The only “but”: if there are small irregularities, it is recommended to putty first; for more serious defects, you first need to properly plaster.
Most often, acrylic coating in the store is sold as a white base. To get the desired shade, you need to add color – a colored pigment. You can even do this at home yourself. So that the result does not disappoint you, and there is no problem with incompatible components, take a color paste from the same company as the base.
Latex
These are aqueous emulsions based on latex copolymers to which rubber has been added. Which paint is better for walls in an apartment: acrylic or latex? Depends on your goals. The latter are distinguished by even greater strength and water resistance, but also by a higher price.
Latex emulsion is often used to decorate rooms with high humidity. In addition, it is recommended to apply it to wallpaper before painting and use it to create decor from plaster, for example, to imitate a brick wall. The thin layer that forms after application preserves the texture of the surface, while additionally protecting it from water and moisture.
Like acrylics, latex coatings are mixed with color to obtain the desired shade.
Silicone
This emulsion based on silicone resins is one of the new products on the construction market. It is suitable not only for finishing interior walls but also for decorating the facade of a building; it has good resistance to mechanical damage, ultraviolet radiation, heat resistance, and antiseptic properties. The only significant disadvantage is its high price.
However, such emulsions are rarely found in their pure form. Most manufacturers offer acrylic-silicone mixtures.
Important characteristics of paints and varnishes
- Hiding power – the ability to paint over the color of a surface. The higher this indicator, the fewer layers are needed to create a uniform tone. The covering power of cheap colors is lower, this should be taken into account when purchasing; you will need more cans.
- Vapor permeability – the ability to “breathe”. This indicator is important for rooms with high humidity. Vapor-permeable paints conduct moisture and protect against mold and mildew.
- Abrasion resistance, that is, mechanical damage, is an indicator of durability. It is determined in laboratory conditions, simulating the washing procedure.
Paints for different rooms
How to choose paint for walls in the kitchen and bathroom
As you know, the most aggressive environment in an apartment is in the kitchen. There is high humidity and temperature, splashes of water and fat. Not every coating can withstand this. The materials needed are appropriate: waterproof, vapor permeable, with good abrasion properties. Latex and silicone emulsions meet such requests.
The same applies to bathrooms – here humidity is combined with steam and high temperature.
For bedroom and living room
The calmer environment of the bedroom and living room does not require the coating to be wear-resistant and waterproof. Acrylic paint will help you avoid financial costs. Choose products that have a wet cleaning label on their packaging, so you can wipe down the surface periodically.
Decoration of the nursery
The most important thing here is safety. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the mark on the environmental friendliness of the material and its hypoallergenicity. Most manufacturers offer special products for children.
Does a small child strive to paint the room? Choose a color that can be washed and is resistant to mechanical stress. For example, acrylic emulsion.
Often it is in the nursery that you want to create an accent: a fairy-tale pattern or textured finish. Moreover, this can be done even with your own hands. With an older child, the activity can turn into an exciting game. What colors to paint on the wall? The best option is acrylic. The advantages are obvious: a range of colors, no odor, and ease of application.
How to choose an invoice
- Matte does not shine. Ideally hides surface imperfections. Suitable for rooms with low traffic, such as bedrooms. Deep-matte emulsion is also gaining popularity; it is especially relevant in modern-style interiors.
- Semi-matte has a barely noticeable shine. It has slightly higher wear resistance and durability; such surfaces can often be washed. Suitable for covering hallways and corridors.
- Semi-gloss was created for decorating a nursery, kitchen, and bathroom – rooms that will have to be washed frequently. It has good strength, and resistance to dirt and wear.
- Glossy gives a shine almost like glass. This is the most abrasion-resistant paint. But it is difficult to work with: the surface must be perfect because gloss can emphasize even the slightest roughness and unevenness. By the way, you can decorate an accent wall in this way.
The right choice will help reduce material consumption: be sure to level the surface, and use a primer and a medium-nap roller.
What else to consider
If you can’t choose a color for your bedroom, kitchen, or living room, try making an inspiration board. Create a folder on your computer or print out the interior designs you like. When a sufficient number has accumulated, look at what unites them. What color scheme, and style?
Designers unanimously urge people not to be afraid of bright colors. However, let’s be honest: the majority still prefer a neutral base. Want to try brighter options? Start with a focal point or small rooms. By the way, the most likely successful experiment will be the bathroom. A neutral white bathtub and sink will withstand any color.
It is also advisable to select harmonious colors in adjacent rooms. Especially if they are visible in the aisle. This way, the feeling of a sharp transition will not be created, and the space will seem visually larger.
Alas, not all colors look equally good in a store catalog and in reality at home. To see how the selected sample behaves, try to paint a sample with it – a plasterboard square with a side of at least 50 cm. Place this piece in the light – next to the balcony, in the shade at the entrance, and look at the change in shades.
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