Selecting The Right Type Of Paint

The type of paint you use on your walls can have a direct effect on how the paint looks and wears. There are 2 basic types of paints you can use - water based and solvent based. Each type has different characteristics as far as durability, ease of use, color retention, odor, cleanup and drying time.

Water Based - Vinyl Latex Paints

Water based paint or vinyl latex paint is the more common type of paint used these days. It comes in all colors and finish types and is easy to use. As a paint for your bedroom, you can use it for many applications, walls, ceilings, floors and even furniture. It is durable and the color is extremely long lasting, but it may not adhere so well to chalky surfaces (use an oil type paint for that).

Vinyl Latex paint is easy to use and goes on smoothly. If you are using a brush, you will find less brush lines than if you use oil paint. It is virtually odor free and is very easy to clean up. Most latex paints will dry in about 6 hours which will allow you to put up a second coat or even a third the same day.

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Solvent or Oil Based Paints

This paint type is rarely used these days for indoor applications but should be considered if you are painting over a surface that already has been painted with oil solvent based paint. It comes in all colors and you can yield a glossier finish than water based paint. Solvent based paints can fade with long term exposure to sunlight but do give a thicker coverage than latex which can help you finish the job in 1 coat.

Since this type of paint is thicker overall, you do tend to get brush lines when applying with a brush so you need to be a bit more careful. It has a noxious smell when drying and clean up is a bear and involves other smelly and hazardous materials such as turpentine. It has a much longer drying time than water based paint types and can take over 24 hours depending on temperature and humidity conditions.

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Glazes and Special Paints

In addition to traditional paint, you can also get special effects from special paints. These days there are paints that will add texture and faux finishes to give your bedroom the look of marble, old world plaster, or interesting textures and combinations. Some of these use solvent based glazes and others have specially made paint just for that particular look you want. A trip to your local Home Depot will find these paints as well as free classes on how to apply them.