What type of paint, do I need ?

What paint do i need ?

It can be easy to get overwhelmed with the different types of paints available. But by choosing the right features and colours for the right room, you can end up with the perfect finish that lasts longer

Most paints fall into two solvent categories that define their type: water-based or oil-based. Here’s a guide to the difference between the two.

Water-based

As the name suggests, water-based paint has water as a solvent. You can use water-based paint in almost any application in the home, from exteriors and trim to interior walls and woodwork.

Water-based paints are:

  • Easy to clean with soap and water • Kinder to the environment; typically contain fewer VOC’s
  • Fast-drying

Oil-based

These are also known as solvent-based paints and are usually reserved for areas subject to heavy wear or prone to impact. These include trim, floors, and sometimes cabinets.

Oil-based paints are:

  • Best suited for use on metal and wood
  • Slower to dry, sometimes up to 24hrs. However, it doesn’t show brush strokes as much. This is an advantage when painting trim, woodwork, and cabinetry.

What is primer?

A primer is a special type of paint that is used as a base coat (or undercoat) to help the paint stick to the surface it’s covering. Primers are most used on wood or metal, but sometimes walls need priming as well, especially if you’re painting on bare plaster or brickwork. Primers contain more oil, are generally thinner, and, in most cases, are designed to soak into a surface.

What is an undercoat?

The undercoat is essentially the layer of paint underneath the topcoat, just like a primer. It helps the top layer look smooth and professionally finished. Many products are self-undercoating, saving time and money. An undercoat carries more pigment, and its main roles are to totally cover the previous surface colour and to ‘key’ onto the existing surface, providing a suitable base for the topcoat of paint. We recommend undercoat if you’re going for a dramatic colour change.


Paint finishes

Choosing the right sheen level can completely transform the look of a room, so it’s important that you understand the impact different types of paint finishes can have on a space. Let’s go over the different finishes

Walls

Matt emulsion is a smooth and velvety paint that helps to hide imperfections as it doesn’t reflect light. The finish is the opposite of glossy and looks similar to paper. Matt finishes work well in any style of room but work particularly well if you’re trying to achieve a classic or period look and feel.

  • This is perfect if you have imperfections on your surface’s
  • Soaks up light rather than reflecting it
  • Highly pigmented, ideal for coverage and reducing costs 

Soft Sheen emulsion are suitable for all normal interior wall. Easy to maintain, this soft sheen emulsion can be wiped clean without damaging the finish or colour making it an easy choice for busy living areas like hallways or living rooms

  • Less shiny than high gloss paint
  • Benefit from stain resistance 
  • Great for rooms at risk of high moisture, like bathrooms and utilities 

Silk emulsion are ‘mid-sheen’ finishes, which means they look like a slightly polished surface and reflect a bit of light. You can wipe clean silk wall finishes easily which makes them very practical, but if you have less-than perfect walls, all the lumps and bumps may show up a bit more.

Hardwearing Matt emulsion is washable and wipeable, providing a tough finish that is resistant to mould, condensation, yellowing and most household stains. Its outstanding durability makes it ideal for use in kitchens, bathrooms, hotels, hospitals and public buildings.

  • Rich matt finish
  • High opacity and coverage
  • Easy to apply
  • Wipeable and durable

Woodwork

Eggshell has less of a sheen than satin and it does look like the surface of an eggshell (the clue is in the name). Eggshell gives a beautiful classic look to woodwork. Available in both water base or oil based.

Satin has a ‘mid-sheen’ finish, which means it look’s like a slightly polished surface and reflect a bit of light. Satin is a finish associated with woodwork. A satin finish on woodwork helps to hide imperfections and gives colour a softer appearance.

  • This finish is less shiny than semi-gloss, with a velvety luster
  • Easily cleaned, offering high durability 
  • Good for furniture and trims
  • Available in both water base or oil based.

Gloss is a shiny finish designed for woodwork and it reflects lots of light – so is perfect for paler colours. You have to have a great surface to make it look its best as it’ll show all the lumps and bumps. But it is hugely practical and adds a lovely contrast to walls that are painted in a matt.

  • Ultra shiny, hard and reflects light
  • Most durable and easiest finish to clean
  • Available in both water base or oil based.

There are also specialist & designer types of paint, so if you are still unsure or would just like some further advice, please feel free to contact us.


How much paint do I need ?