A Beginner’s Guide To Choosing The Right Type of Paint

For any interior painting project, once you decide on the colour, choosing the right type of paint is the next crucial step. There are 8 types of paint options available on the market for walls. You can choose the type of paint based on the surface material you want to cover, your budget, durability and other requirements. A local painter can suggest the perfect type of paint to choose from by understanding your requirements or you can go through this list and choose one yourself. Read on to learn how to choose the right type of paint for your project.

Chalkboard Paint

Chalkboard wall with cute drawings in the family kitchen

Chalkboard paint is scratch-resistant paint that instantly turns any surface into a writing surface. Given its nature and usage, it’s also known as the ‘blackboard paint’. Chalkboard paints are used mostly in kids’ rooms, in a study/library or in the kitchen where family members can freely write, draw or make lists.

Pros: Easy to apply, dries quickly, inexpensive, doesn’t require a primer
Cons: Leaves brush marks, requires a spray paint gun, doesn’t add any texture to the surface
Ideal for: Kitchen, kids’ room, study/library, small pieces of furniture, wall accents

Enamel

Enamel is an oil-based paint type that dries quickly, is glossy and provides a hard texture to walls. It’s the most durable paint and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Enamel paint is also used on copper, metal and glass surfaces.

Pros: Dries quickly, requires minimum wall prep, protects walls and other surfaces from temperature and weather fluctuations
Cons: Low spread rate, leaves permanent paint stains, difficult to clean
Ideal for: Exterior of the house, kitchen cabinets

Pro Tip:
Some brands of enamel paint come with built-in primer formulas so you don’t have to spend hours applying a primer coat on your walls. When you decide to purchase enamel paint, consider getting an improved adhesion with a built-in primer to save time.

Latex Based

Pouring white latex paint in a tray before painting a room.

Latex-based paints are water-based paints and are commonly known as acrylic paint. They are a popular choice among Canadian homeowners for repainting projects as they work well on oil-based paint surfaces.

Pros: Provides non-glossy finish, easy to apply on huge surfaces, easy to clean, doesn’t require a primer
Cons: May leave brush strokes, low durability, requires multiple coats
Ideal for: Ceilings, low-traffic areas in the house, interior walls

Oil Based

Oil-based paints also known as solvent-based paints are budget-friendly, easy to apply, and the most durable and reliable type of paint. As it is water-resistant, you will need to purchase turpentine to clean brushes, other paint materials and rugs to avoid accidental paint stains on the floor or furniture after your project is done.

Pros: Water-resistant, covers stains and cracks on walls
Cons: Longer drying time, time-consuming messy process, difficult to clean
Ideal for: Bathroom, kitchen, and trims

Primer

Primer is a very important solution that is used in many residential and commercial painting projects. Some types of paint and finishes do not require a coat of primer. However, skipping primer can lead to peeling paint and forming adhesions. Avoiding primer may save you a few dollars per gallon of paint but can cost you more in durability, paint quantity and longevity of the project. We highly recommend you talk to a painting expert to make a primer decision for your walls.

Pros: Provides a smooth surface for paint spread, protects drywall, helps to hold the finished paint, may require fewer coats of paint
Cons: Can add cost to your project, difficult to clean
Ideal for: Interior and exterior walls, trims, ceilings, window and door frames, crown moulding

Specialty Paint

Specialty paints are custom-made formulas for specific surfaces you may want to paint to protect them from extensive damages. They can be a mix of different paint types and finishes. You must choose the right combination of paint type and finish for specialty paint. As these are custom-made combinations, you can’t return the paint cans to the store if you don’t like their look on your walls.

Pros: More options for your project, the custom combination can help you get the best of different paint types and finishes
Cons: Expensive, difficult and time consuming to fix any mistakes made during the project
Ideal for: Roofs, pavements, floors, kitchen countertops, ceilings

Spray Paint

Spray paint is the easiest way to cover huge paint areas in a lesser timeframe. Based on the size of your paint project, you will require a specific-sized spray paint gun. You can either purchase it or rent it from a local hardware store. Before you start using the spray gun on a wall, we recommend you understand how the tool works to avoid a botched-up job or difficult to remove paint stains.

Pros: Time-saving, inexpensive, provides an even finishing look
Cons: Creates drips and paint runs, requires more quantity of paint than usual, the long clean-up process
Ideal for: Huge walls, trims, crown moulding, window and door frames

Water-Based

Water-based paints are considered to be environmentally friendly, less expensive and easy to apply. They don’t have a strong odour, unlike oil-based paints. There are two major types of water-based paints: acrylic and latex. Based on your budget and the type of surface you want to paint, an expert can help you choose the best water-based paint in the market.

Pros: Dries quickly, durable, easy to clean, environmentally friendly
Cons: An even application can be difficult, the possibility of drips and runs on the wall, requires multiple coats
Ideal for: Interior and exterior

Choosing a paint type from so many different options considering your budget, timeline and other requirements can be a tedious process. If you’re ready to spend hours doing research and talking to a paint salesperson in various local hardware stores to make a final decision, make sure you bookmark this article for reference. Alternatively, you can simply hire a painting professional to help you choose the right paint type in minutes by understanding your requirements. Get a custom quote for your paint project if you’re choosing the better alternative!