You've made your trip to your hardware store, and you've chosen the colours for your walls. You are not ready to start smothering paint over your walls, but before you do, however, take the time to read the following article. This article talks about the types of paint, how to apply them, and how to ensure successful results.

The difference between latex and oil paints:

At your hardware store, there are essentially two types of paint. There is latex (acrylic or emulsion) and oil based paints (alk--). The latex paint (espeically water-based) are increasingly preferred because they clean up easily with soap and water. They are environmentally friendly then the oil based paints. They're also more durable, create little odour and adhere to almost any surface.

Why use oil based paints then?

Oil based paints are used when repainting surfaces already covered in three or more layers of the same kind of paint. It also well work on exterior wood and brick.

Choosing the shine (the paint sheen):

From highest to lowest  gloss, the list is: gloss, semi-gloss, pearl, eggshell (satin), velvet and flat. The first three highest are known for their durability and shine. These are mostly used in places where grime and dirt are more likely to collect, example doors and baseboards. They are also popular among areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Eggshell or satin paint has a less shine to it and is the most common finish used for halls, bedrooms and other less traffic areas. Flat and Velvet are non reflective, making them perfect for ceilings. Flat paint, however, is easier to stain and tougher to clean.

The Don'ts of painting!

Do not skimp on the quality of paint your buying. While they are more expensive, it is proven that the higher quality the paint, the longer it lasts. The best of the best latex based paints are the ones with 100% acrylic formulations. The commonly used phrased, "you get what you pay for" applies very well in this context. A good quality paint job should technically last upto 10 years.

Do not use one kind of paint for your whole house. Each area in the house requires a special kind of paint, and there are paints designed for these purposes. Some paints, for example, resist mold and mildew. This kind of paint should be used where a great deal of steam and moisture builds up, IE bathrooms and laundry rooms. There are many other specialty paints on the market all having a different purpose. Choose wisely.

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