Discover the unique qualities and applications of different types of paints available in the Indian market. Wall paint serves as one of the critical components of home décor ...
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Discover the unique qualities and applications of different types of paints available in the Indian market.
Wall paint serves as one of the critical components of home décor as it serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. When you are selecting the paint, you could do well to consider factors like durability, weather resistance, and overall maintenance of painted surfaces. With a wide variety of paints available in the market, it is not only essential to select the right colour of paint but also the right type of paint for your home.
Here is our ultimate guide to common types of paints and their respective applications so you can choose the one that best suits the different surfaces of your home.
What are the different types of paint?
Emulsion paint is a water-based paint that dries quickly and is available in various finishes.
This type of paint has low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) making it extremely durable, resistant to cracking, and long-lasting. Emulsion paint comprises non-yellowing agents that ensure good colour stability and resistance to sunlight. It is also resistant to fungus and mildew, washable, and, if stained, can be cleaned by washing the surface with a solution of soap and water.
Emulsion paint is perfect for internal walls in a variety of finishes.
Oil paint is a slow-drying paint that has pigments suspended in natural oils like linseed oil. The viscosity of paint can be adjusted by the addition of solvents like turpentine or white spirit.
Oil paint is durable, versatile, and offers a smooth and glossy finish. This type of paint is highly durable and resistant to water and wear and tear on the paint surfaces. It provides a smooth finish to the walls and helps conceal imperfections of the walls.
Oil paint best suits surfaces like doors, windows, walls, wood, and metal. It is also highly recommended for moisture-heavy areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
Enamel paint is an oil-based paint that dries to form a tough, glassy coating.
Enamel paint is stain-resistant, water-resistant, and highly durable. It provides a rich, glossy finish, good colour retention, and high durability. However, the drawback of enamel paint is that it tends to crack and emits a strong odour.
Enamel paint is best suited for the bathroom or areas that are exposed to high humidity and surfaces like wood and metal.
Bituminous paint has a distinct black colour, and it is made out of bitumen or coal tar. This type of paint is applied in liquid or semi-liquid form.
It is used to coat surfaces, making them resistant to alkalis, rust, weather, and water, and it possesses very good adhesion properties. Bituminous paint provides weatherproofing and corrosion resistance to elements.
This type of paint is suitable for painting pipes, grills, ladders, and underwater surfaces.
Cement or distemper paint is made from chalk, lime, water, and some colouring agents. It is also known as a whitewash.
Cement paint is very economical, washable, and does not crack when exposed to sunlight.
Cement paint can be applied directly on a plastered wall without any coat of primer and is highly suitable for interior and exterior surfaces.
Anti-corrosive paint consists of corrosion-resistant pigments like zinc chromate, lead chromate, zinc oxide, zinc dust, zinc chromate, or red lead, with linseed oil serving as a binder.
As the name suggests, anti-corrosive paint safeguards different surfaces from corrosion. This type of paint protects solid metal surfaces and a range of non-metal materials.
As you can imagine, anti-corrosive paint is highly suitable for metal surfaces such as iron and steel, like window grills and pipes.
Textured paint is a water-based paint with a very heavy consistency due to the presence of grains of sand and gypsum. It is used to create special effects on walls via the techniques of sponging, brushing, and distressing to name a few.
Textured paint is thicker than conventional types of paint and is one of the best ways to camouflage wall defects, damaged walls, and cracks.
This type of paint can be used on external and internal walls, especially in areas where it can help camouflage wall defects, damaged walls, and cracks.
Metallic paint is a water-based paint that comprises small particles of metals like aluminium, bronze, and copper.
This type of paint is expensive but also lends the walls a luxurious look that elevates the overall look of the interiors.
Area of application: Metallic paint is best suited for accent walls and is an excellent alternative to wallpaper.
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