Paint is a liquid substance that contains pigment, resins and solvents. It binds to the surface being painted and dries to provide a smooth finish.
Paints are formulated for specific purposes. Interior paints are often water-based and designed to be scrubbed and stain resistant, while exterior paints withstand the harsh elements and resist fading.
It may seem pretty obvious right?
Interior paint is for interiors, exterior paints are for exteriors.
But is it really as simple as that?
Let’s take a brief look at the different kinds of paint
Water-based paint
A water-based paint is a type of painting product that uses water as the main solvent instead of oil.
It is suitable for both residential and commercial projects, and can be applied to a variety of surfaces including wood, concrete, plaster, brick, metal and vinyl.
They are also easy to clean and can resist stains and mould. In addition, they have a low odour and dry quickly so perfect for interiors.
Another benefit of water-based paints is that they have less organic fumes than oil paints, so there is no need for a mask. Moreover, they are safer to use in public places like leisure centres and hospitals where people can be exposed to a lot of germs.
These types of paints are called “low VOC” (Volatile organic compounds)
When choosing a water-based paint, it is important to choose one that matches the surface it will be painted on. For example, oil-based paints are not suited for ceilings because they will deteriorate with exposure to moisture and humidity.
For humid areas such as bathrooms you can buy specially formulated bathroom and kitchen paint, which is wipe-clean and resists the growth of mould.
It is also a good idea to choose water-based paints that are resistant to UV rays and can withstand temperature changes. They can be formulated with different resins, pigments and additives to create various finishes like matte, eggshell, satin, and gloss.
Unlike oil-based paints, water-based paints are highly flexible and can easily expand and contract with the weather. They also dry faster than oil-based paints.
As a result, they are more durable and can withstand heavy traffic. They are also more suitable for baseboards, shelves, and other areas that may be prone to wear and abrasion.
However, they are not as long-lasting as oil-based paints. This is why they are often used by residential interior painting services to cover surfaces that will see a lot of wear and tear.
The most important difference between water-based and oil-based paints is that the former is safer to use and less ozone-depleting volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
This means they are safe for children and people who suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems.
They are also more affordable than oil-based paints, which can cost a lot of money.
Non-organic pigments
There are two main types of pigments used in paint: organic and non-organic. These differ in many aspects, including cost, colour vibrancy and brightness, and chemical stability.
Organic pigments are based on carbon compounds. These compounds impart opaque colours that are resistant to sunlight and can withstand harsh environmental conditions. They also contain fewer VOCs than inorganic pigments.
Inorganic pigments, on the other hand, are made from dry ground metals or metallic salts. They are often more opaque than organic pigments and are less soluble in water-based coatings.
While organic pigments are more popular than inorganic pigments, the latter have a wider variety of colours available. These include reds, yellows and greens.
The primary advantage of inorganic pigments is their low cost. This is due to the fact that they require fewer chemicals to make them. This reduces the manufacturing costs of paints and can be advantageous for companies that are working to minimize their environmental impact.
Moreover, inorganic pigments tend to have a longer lifespan than organic ones. This can be beneficial for companies that have a wide variety of products and want to extend their lifespans.
Inorganic pigments can also be used to create functional effects in paints and coatings. These can include corrosion protection, electrical conductivity and infrared (IR) reflection.
Another important property of inorganic pigments is heat stability. This is critical in powder coating systems, coil coatings and other applications that require a higher temperature for application.
As a result, inorganic pigments are typically less soluble and more stable at high temperatures than organic pigments. They are also more stable in terms of chemical stability, making them more desirable for use in a variety of applications.
Pigment manufacturers try to avoid aggregations during the synthesis or drying of their products, but this is sometimes impossible. As a result, they try to produce pigments that can be broken down into smaller particles during the dispersion process.
While this does result in a reduction in tinctorial strength, it is still better than re-aggregating the pigment into loosely held groups after it has been dispersed. This can lead to a decrease in tinctorial strength and the formation of flocculates.
Fading
Fading paint is a problem that can affect both interior and exterior walls. It is a result of constant exposure to the sun and other factors that break down the chemical bonds in paint over time.
Choosing the right type of paint can help you prevent fading and keep your home looking beautiful. The quality of the paint is also a factor.
Premium-quality paints use better ingredients and last longer before fading.
In general, it is advisable to choose colours that don’t absorb light and reflect it instead. This will make your paint last longer and look more vibrant.
The colour and sheen of the paint will also impact how long your paint will last.
Dark colours, like reds, blues, and greens, will fade more quickly than lighter colours. Flat and semi-gloss paint finishes will also fade faster than glossy or high-gloss paints.
Another factor that can influence your paint’s longevity is the temperature it is exposed to. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, you may want to consider choosing a paint that is more breathable and will not trap moisture.
Besides the weather, UV rays from the sun can also cause your paint to fade.
If you want to minimize this problem, be sure to protect your walls from direct sunlight by using thick curtains or blinds when you aren’t at home.
Aside from exposing your walls to harmful UV rays, direct sunlight can also damage the pigments in your paint. This can lead to uneven fading and patchy patches of the colour.
If you are unsure about what kind of paint to use for your home, it is best to consult an expert. They will be able to recommend the best paint for your home and will help you avoid a bad experience with painting.
In the end, the best way to keep your home’s paint fresh and new is to keep it clean.
This is especially true for areas that are in the sun for a prolonged period of time. To help you with this, be sure to remove dirt and debris from your walls regularly.
Additives
A paint has a solvent (water in latex and acrylic, oil in turpentine and mineral spirits), pigment and resins. The resins help bind the other components of the paint recipe, and the pigment gives it colour and makes it a durable finish.
Pigments are made of plant, mineral or animal-based materials, or synthetically produced. They come in a variety of colours and provide the final colour of the finished painting. Some of the most common are yellow ochre, phthalo blue and hansa yellow.
These pigments come in two categories, organic and inorganic. The latter are more durable for exterior paints, which need to withstand the elements.
Another type of pigment, called extenders, is used mainly in interior paints to provide added dry hide and sheen control. They can also increase scrub and abrasion resistance. Extender pigments are typically clay, silica or diatomaceous silica.
The resins that make up the paint formula are also different. Exterior paint contains softer resins than interior paint, which need to withstand temperature changes and the sun’s UV rays.
Resins also bind the pigments and solvents together, ensuring that the paint has a uniform appearance and stays the same while it dries. They can be inorganic, such as cellulose or phenolic, or organic, like vinyl chloride.
They are largely designed to reduce fading, but they can be also used for other purposes, such as helping to prevent mildew or mould growth. They are available in many different forms, including odourless water-based and non-toxic solvent-based additives.
Additives can also be used to enhance the look of a piece, either during painting or after it has dried. They can be added to give a piece a shiny, glossy finish or to add metallic effects.
They can also be used as preservatives, helping to prevent cracking or crazing, and extending the life of a piece for archival use. They can also be used as pouring mediums, allowing you to add more fluidity to your paintings without sacrificing the integrity of the binders and pigments.
Also there are 2 main GRADES of retail paint, one better than the other.
Trade paint is sold to painters and decorators through trade outlets and is arguably much better quality than DIY paint, with a far better opacity and coverage.
Often the paint tins look almost the same, from the same brands, but trade paint is far better value and should be used for DIY wherever possible as it will last longer and look better.
The differences between interior and exterior paints.
The main difference between the two is that interior paint is not designed to repel the weather, it is designed for a less challenging environment.
Interior and exterior paints are formulated differently to provide the right characteristics for each type of application.
Both types of paint can be made in a variety of sheens, but most often exterior paint is available in flat, satin, semi-gloss and gloss finishes while interior paints usually have matte or eggshell as well as satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss options.
Exterior paints are designed to withstand the elements better than interior paints. Exterior paint should protect from moisture damage, extreme temperatures, fading and cracking due to the sun’s UV rays. To do this it typically has more pigment in it which adds colorant, durability and protection against dirt or mildew build up. It also contains binders that help it to stick to the surface.
Interior paints, on the other hand, don’t need to be as tough. They are designed for beauty and ease of application with a smooth finish that is easy to clean. Interior paint also typically has fewer toxic chemicals than exterior paint since it doesn’t need to withstand the same level of wear and tear.
So, when deciding what type of paint to use, think about whether the job is for inside or outside your home and choose accordingly.
If you’re not sure, ask a professional at your local home improvement store for help choosing the right product. With the right paint and a little preparation, you can make any space look great.
Happy painting!
Most interior walls get painted with emulsion paint which is largely water based.
Interior wooden surfaces such as doors, skirting boards and so on, get painted with gloss paint, which is more hard wearing. Gloss paint is often resin based. The word “gloss” refers to it’s sheen, usually shiny although you can get gloss paints with more of a matt finish.
Gloss can also be used on metal surfaces.
Gloss paint dries with a hard “shell” meaning it is ideal for high traffic and high use items such as doors being opened and closed several times a day.
If you have a wooden front door, it is highly likely to be painted with gloss paint. The paint is available in a variety of colours and painting your front door is a cheap and effective way to give your home a refreshed look.
Exterior paint has to be far more durable, not only to hide defects in the wall, like an exterior wall coating would, but also to repel the weather. Direct sunlight, wind-driven rain, frost, snow, all of these constantly attack exterior paint.
Masonry paint on the outside walls of your property will at best, last for around 2 years before it needs repainting, often sooner if your home is in a coastal location.
The solution to this perennial problem is to have a long life exterior wall coating applied to the outside of your house. Not only will it far outlast normal paint, it stops damp, and it will not fade, crack, chip or peel. This is a premium system and can only be applied by professionals.
It is BBA certified and approved by architects on major projects throughout Europe and beyond.
It can be applied to your house in less than a week with minimum fuss and hassle and is guaranteed for 20 years. It can also be applied during winter, something that masonry paint is not able to do.
To learn more about our wall coating system and the main difference between it and masonry paint, email us or call on 0800 970 4928
I hope that you learned something from this blog post.
Please note that we do NOT sell paint, nor do we undertake any interior painting work, exterior ONLY. Thank you