Is Water-Based Paint The Right Choice For Your Home?

Have a home painting project on the horizon? Before you start, it is important to know whether to opt for water-based paints or oil-based ones. Read on to find out!

When it comes to choosing paint for walls, there is much more to consider than just the wall colour. While people tend to spend a lot of time mulling over the paint brand, colours and paint finish, they overlook the overall impact.

Owing to innovation in paint technology, you also need to consider the physical types of paints apart from paint colours. Basically, the physical type of paint is the solvent used in your paint. The solvent is the liquid component of the paint that vaporises as the paint dries up. Truth be told, this solvent can have an adverse impact on human health and that of the environment.

In addition to figuring out which home colour to go with, it is necessary to learn more about the types of available paints. Finding the one most suitable for your house can save you a lot of headaches in the future.

To start with, the paints are majorly categorised as water-based paints and oil-based paints depending on the solvent used. Though decades ago virtually all paints were oil-based, times are different now. There are water-based paints in the market too that are on par with the oil-based ones. This has made it difficult for consumers to make the final decision. However, we are here to make this easier for you.

Things To Know About Water-Based Paints

• As the name suggests, the solvent used in a water-based paint (also known as acrylic paints) is all water.

• Water-based paints have a tremendous colour retention ability.

• They tend to dry faster compared to other paint options.

• They also happen to require two to three coats of paint to achieve a smooth, level finish. However, the good news is that their matt, gloss and semi-gloss finishes tends to hide defects quite well.

• Water-based paints create a good adhesion bond to the surface.

• When it comes to cleaning up, water-based paint can be cleaned quite easily with soap and water. Even the paint brushes used in the painting process are easier to clean.

These paints are user and environmentally friendly. They are also perfect for those who have respiratory issues as they contain very few Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and do not produce any odour. (Phew!)

Since water-based paints hold their colour longer than the alternatives available, painters often recommend them for interior walls that face a lot of moisture, such as the kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

They can also be used on exterior walls that are exposed to the harsh elements of nature. If you are thinking about painting a pattern on one of the doors of your home, water-based paints are perfect for such projects.

Things To Know About Oil-Based Paints

• Oil-based paints use an organic solvent in the paint, which is basically a mineral turpentine.

• Painters often use oil-based paint for any surface where they want the finish to last for a longer duration.

• Oil-based paints are also known to be extremely durable, withstanding routine contact.

• Owing to the hard coating formed by resin on an oil-based paint, this option is also stain-resistant and rust-resistant.

• In home painting projects, oil-based paints are suitable for mouldings and trims.

Now that we have distinguished the attributes of water-based as well as oil-based paints, hope this gives you better clarity on what type of paint to choose for your home.

To learn more about which type of paints are best for your painting project, click here.

If you have rooms in your home waiting to be painted with exciting paint colours, now you know which paint to go for. However, if you wish to switch and repaint your existing oil-based wall with water-based paint, the painters will need to sand back the wall with sandpaper to remove the old paint film, apply an undercoat to the substrate, allow it to dry and coat with your new water-based paint.

This is the right time to talk to the professionals! You can get in touch with our highly-experienced and friendly team of Berger Express Painting to discuss more on water-based paints and achieve the best results on your walls.

You can call on our toll-free number 1800 103 6030 or SMS XP to 56767 to avail our home painting services.

Rest assured we take all safety precautions and maintain social distancing during the painting process.

Our painters are trained and certified in Safety & Hygiene and use a Health and Safety Kit comprising a mask, gloves, cap and sanitisers during the entire painting process. Faster, cleaner and safer painting experience assured!

To know more about the things to keep in mind before plunging into home painting, we recommend that you give this blog a quick read: Click here