When selecting paints for your house painting project you have many options. To make things even harder you must first figure out which type you should go with, oil based paint or latex paint. In this article we will compare and contrast the two so you can easily find the right choice for your project.
All paint is made up of three components: a pigment, a binder, and a vehicle. The pigment is finely ground substance that comes up with the color. The binder is what determines the paint’s performance, including adhesion, washability, sheen, and fade resistance.
In oil based paints the binder is made from various oil derivatives such as linseed oil, tung oil, and soya oil. In latex paint, the binder is made from an acrylic material. Different types of binders provide different performance characteristics. A vehicle is simply a solvent used to get the paint from the can to the surface. Oil based paints use a paint thinner as a vehicle and latex uses water(which is why people will call it water based paint).
Oil Based Paint
Advantages Of Oil Based Paint
Dries harder, making it more durable and longer lasting
Will look smoother due to the long dry times(allowing the paint to level out better)
Has better coverage, needing less coats
Superb stain blocking
Side by side comparison oil paint simply looks better than latex
Disadvantages Of Oil Based Paint
Must ventilate – heavy odor
Must use paint thinner to clean up
Yellows over time
Takes a long time to dry
Common Uses Of Oil Paint
Woodwork
Water stains on drywall (for its hide)
Exterior primer
Metal Surfaces
Latex Paint
Advantages Of Latex Paint
Not as thick making it Easier to paint with.
Very little odor
Can be painted over either oil or latex paints.
Better for the environment
Easier to clean up
Disadvantages Of Latex Paint
Generally Less Durable
Less hide for stains
Less evening out = More brush strokes/imperfections
Common Uses Of Latex Paint
Walls / Siding
Ceilings
Decks / Fences
Things To Consider
Oil paint is combustible
Oil paint is a Hazardous material and you must dispose of it correctly
You cannot put oil over latex but you can out latex over oil
Water based paints take shorter time to dry but a longer time to cure
Conclusion
When it comes to specific situations oil based paint is still superior to latex paint, due to it’s durability and self leveling characteristics. But, if it’s not absolutely necessary for your specific application, latex paint is overall a better choice. With latex paint you can still get a very durable product that is less toxic, has less fumes, and far easier to clean up.
Do you prefer oil over latex or vise versa? Tell us why below!
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce finibus convallis mollis. Aliquam maximus turpis vitae ipsum ultricies iaculis. Mauris ultricies, ex nec rhoncus elementum, ligula diam lacinia tortor, vitae pulvinar quam ante eget tellus. Integer nec enim et purus imperdiet congue.
About Blue Painting
BLUE Painting is a full service residential painting company serving the twin cities and surrounding areas.
Choosing the right paint colors can make a big difference in the look and feel of a room. However, selecting the best interior paint colors can be overwhelming if you don’t know which colors to choose. There are many different colors to choose from, so it’s important to know which colors to choose so that […]
Selecting the best paint colors for low light rooms can be a tricky task. You need to take a lot of things into account in order to find the right color. You need to consider things like the color of the walls, how much natural light the room gets, and how you want your room […]
Is the trim on your home’s exterior looking a little shabby? Give your exterior trim a fresh coat of paint to increase your home’s curb appeal! Read further to learn the cost of painting exterior trim in Minneapolis. What Do Painters Consider To Be Trim? When painting exterior trim, the word “trim” is used to […]
Painting your kitchen cabinets is one of the most cost effective ways to upgrade your kitchen and increase your home value in 2022. When painting your kitchen cabinets it is important you follow a few guidelines to ensure that they last as long as possible. Here are the Top 3 DIY Cabinet Painting Mistakes to […]