Painting your house can be a delightful activity during the holiday season. It not only adds some life and colour to your home but also increases its aesthetic and economic value. Plus, house painting helps uplift your moods to some extent, improve air quality and protect your house from potential damage. However, if you want to do it yourself, you need to have some idea about the different types of house paint colours to opt for. There are wide varieties of colour palettes and finishes to make your home appear new. It can be daunting for a homeowner to handpick colours if they don’t have any prior idea about the same.
In this post, we will discuss all the various kinds of house wall paints and their finishes to help you get a grip on your house painting endeavour.
What to consider while selecting a paint finish?
Choosing the right paint finish can help enhance the aesthetics of your home by absorbing/reflecting light, hiding cracks and imperfections, and improving the overall interior ambience. Hence, it is important to keep these factors in mind while opting for the right kind of finish.
Some common types of finishes
Matte finishes
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These non-reflective finishes offer a mute tone to your walls with little sheen. As it encourages more coverage, the matte finish is less expensive as compared to its peers. In case you wish to hide imperfections or cracks on the walls, this kind of finish can be your best bet. However, the matte finishes can be a tad difficult to clean, and therefore, these are not recommended for kitchens, kids’ playrooms or nurseries. The walls of your bedrooms or living rooms are the ideal spaces for matte or flat finishes.
Satin finishes
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Are you looking for a finish that can make your low-light areas appear brighter and more beautiful? The satin finish is perfect for obtaining that look and feel. Your hallways, kitchen walls and bedroom walls can spruce up with a coat of satin paint finish that appears soft, velvety and pearl-like to some extent. The only thing that you need to be careful about is the application of this paint, as it can reveal imperfections, especially those created by the wrong strokes of the brush.
Eggshell finishes
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This modern type of house paint finish offers little sheen, unlike the flat finish, and is also easier to clean and maintain. Like an eggshell, it is somewhat lustrous (not glossy) and is highly effective in hiding bug holes, cracks, and even scratches on the walls. In other words, it is the perfect finish for a busy home with children, as it is durable and can easily be maintained for a long time.
Semi-gloss finishes
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Semi-gloss paints are not as glossy as their high-gloss sister but offer the required sheen to your walls. These have reflective properties and can make an area appear brighter. If you want a dual-tone look for your walls, you can use semi-gloss paints on one wall to complement the duller and flatter finish on the other. The semi-gloss paints are also resistant to mould, mildew and moisture to a great extent. Hence, you can paint your kitchen, bathroom and kids’ room walls with it.
High-gloss finishes
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As the name implies, the high-gloss paints depict highly-reflective, glossy finishes, ideal for signature walls and areas that are prone to getting dirtier, like kitchen cabinets, doors, and accents. It is also preferred for its immense light-reflecting properties and can be best suited for areas that receive poor lighting in the house. However, the only shortcoming of the high-gloss finish is the need for multiple coats, which can increase your house-painting budget.
Types of house paint colours you can opt for
Now that you have an idea about the paint finishes let us shed some light on the different types of house paint colours to help you choose an ideal one. If you are DIYing the entire thing, the following information can save you effort and money.
Whitewash paint
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The paint material is prepared by mixing chalk or slaked lime in water in the right proportions to create the most inexpensive paint to colour your walls white. Some also add adhesives to make the paint stick better. The whitewash paint offers a simple white look and is ideal for homeowners with a strained budget. Whitewashing is generally done on concrete or brick walls.
Emulsion paints
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Essentially water-based paint, emulsion paints contain an emulsifier, pigments, coagulant and water in the right proportions. The pigments are dispersed in water with the help of an emulsifying agent, to which other binders and additives are added for that perfect mix. These binders can be acrylic, resin, alkyd resins or epoxy, depending on the type of paint and its utility. Good for interiors and exteriors, the emulsion paints are durable, easy to clean and, of course, affordable.
Enamel Paint
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Generally used as exterior paint, the enamel paint is sturdier and more durable than most other house paint colours available in the market. It can withstand harsh atmospheric conditions and offer a rugged finish. In the interiors, you can paint your kitchen cabinets, chairs or kitchen tables with this paint as it lasts longer and is resistant to adverse conditions. No wonder people use enamel paint on their furniture to make them last for years. To apply this paint, you do not need a primer or anything else, which also saves a lot of time.
Acrylic paints
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Many people are opting for this highly-versatile house paint these days. Essentially, a water-based paint, acrylic paints offer maximum ease and functionality while working. It sticks brilliantly and is extremely durable, to say the least. It contains some chemicals that help the paint expand and contract seamlessly under the effect of changing weather. Although it can be used on any surface, acrylic paint is mainly used on plasters, porch floors, and wood and metal sidings. You may also apply acrylic paints on exteriors, like cemented or masonry surfaces.
Distemper paints
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The oldest and still the most popular painting choice among homeowners, distemper paint, also known as cement paint, is one of the best options for painting the interiors of the house. It is a timeless paint that contains water, chalk and paint pigment in different proportions with a mix of animal adhesive or glue to keep the elements in place. It is one of the cheapest yet most durable painting mediums that lasts for 3-4 years at a stretch. Coming in 1000s of shades and offering that brilliant matte finish, distemper paints never lost their popularity among homeowners, who still prefer them over several other contemporary options.
FAQs
How long does it take to complete a full-house painting job?
If you are carrying out a DIY endeavour, various factors, like the size of the house, number of walls, how much time you can afford each day, etc., determine the total time you will take to complete the painting job. In general, it may take 7-10 days for a medium-sized property.
How to know when it is the right time to paint my house?
If the walls are stained, you may need to paint them every 3-4 years, and if not, painting your house every 5-10 years will keep it in proper condition.
Should I paint the exterior if it is too cold outside?
You should not paint when it is below 40-45 degrees outside. And if you need to, opt for cold weather paints that are specially prepared to tolerate extremes of temperatures.
How many coats do I need?
A single coat should be enough for your interiors, or you can opt for a double coat if necessary. Too many coats will lead to peeling or cracking, and then you may have to do it all over again.
Do house paint colours affect moods?
Different colours have different effects on an individual's mood. Hence, you should be careful while hand-picking house paint colours. Go for neutral shades or mute tones to reflect a sense of calm and positivity. If you want to opt for bright colours, talk to a professional, especially if you are prone to mood swings and short tempers.
