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Painting Basics: The Different Types of House Paint

columbia paint different types of house paint

Explore different types of house paint and where to use them in your home.

Choosing the right type of paint is crucial for achieving a beautiful and long-lasting finish in your home. At Columbia Paint, we offer a variety of high-quality paints to suit every need. Here’s a guide to the different types of house paint and where to use them.

Acrylic Paints: Versatility and Durability

Acrylic paints are known for their versatility and durability, making them a popular choice for a wide range of applications. These paints are water-based, easy to clean, and resistant to fading and cracking.

Best Uses

  • Interior Rooms: Acrylic house paints are ideal for interior walls, especially in high-traffic areas like living rooms and hallways. They provide a smooth finish and are available in a variety of sheens.
  • Furniture: Use acrylic paint to give furniture pieces a fresh, modern look. It adheres well to different surfaces and provides a durable, long-lasting finish.

Basic Tips

  • Ensure the surface is clean and dry before painting.
  • Apply a primer if painting over bare wood or a dark color to improve adhesion and coverage.

Enamel Paints: Tough and Long-Lasting

Enamel paints are oil- or water-based and known for their tough, glossy finish. They are extremely durable and moisture-resistant, making them suitable for surfaces that require frequent cleaning.

Best Uses

  • Interior Trim: Enamel house paint is perfect for trim, baseboards, and moldings due to its rigid, glossy finish that can withstand wear and tear.
  • Kitchen Cabinets: Use enamel paint on kitchen cabinets to achieve a smooth, washable surface that withstands grease and frequent cleaning.

Basic Tips

  • Sand the surface lightly before applying enamel paint for better adhesion.
  • Use a high-quality brush or roller to achieve a smooth, even finish.

Latex Paints: Easy to Use and Clean

Latex paints, also known as water-based paints, are easy to apply, quick-drying, and simple to clean up with soap and water. They are environmentally friendly and have low levels of VOC (volatile organic compounds).

Best Uses

  • Walls: Latex paint is ideal for interior walls, providing excellent coverage and a smooth finish. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.
  • Siding: Use latex paint for exterior siding to protect against weather elements. It offers flexibility, which helps prevent cracking and peeling.
  • Ceilings: Latex house paint is perfect for ceilings due to its ease of application and low drip formula.

Basic Tips

  • Use a primer on new drywall or surfaces with significant discoloration.
  • Choose the appropriate sheen for the area being painted (e.g., flat for ceilings, eggshell or satin for walls).

Primer: Foundation for a Great Paint Job

Primer is a beneficial, preparatory coating applied before painting. It helps paint adhere better, provides a uniform surface, and can block stains and discoloration.

Best Uses

  • Drywall: Apply primer to new drywall to create a smooth surface and enhance paint adhesion.
  • Discolored Surfaces: Use primer on surfaces with stains or discoloration to prevent them from bleeding through the topcoat.
  • Dark Colors: When painting over a dark color, primer helps to hide the previous shade and reduce the number of topcoats needed.
  • Raw Wood: Primer seals the porous surface of raw wood, providing a solid base for the paint.

Basic Tips

  • Choose a primer suited to the surface and type of house paint you’ll be using (e.g., latex primer for latex paint).
  • Allow the primer to dry completely before applying the topcoat.

Columbia Paint has everything you need to make your painting projects more successful and long-lasting. Visit our store or contact us today for expert advice and high-quality products to achieve the perfect finish in your home!

NEW LOCATIONS! VISIT THE US AND EXPLORE!

We’ve moved from the Dobbin Road location to our new, roomy location just down the road:

Columbia Paint and Decorating, a Benjamin Moore Dealer

6822 Oak Hall Lane, Suite C2, Columbia, MD 21045

443-319-4001

Expect the same one-stop shopping for all your decorating needs. We are a full-service Benjamin Moore dealer offering the best quality decorating products at the best prices. We have an ample supply of paint and paint supplies, wallcoverings, custom window treatments, fabrics, and now NEW flooring selections from Kaleen Rugs and Luxury Vinyl Tile samples. 

And, of course, the same excellent customer service, knowledge, and customer satisfaction that you’ve come to expect.

ANNOUNCING OUR SECOND LOCATION:

Clarksville Paint & Decorating, a Benjamin Moore Dealer

12447 Clarksville Pike, Suite 1A, Clarksville, MD

At Columbia Paint you'll find all the necessary tools to complete your project. We even offer color consultation to ensure your satisfaction. Visit our website, call us or stop in today!
6505 Dobbin Rd
Columbia
Maryland
21045
USA