Latex and alkyd paint are popular types of house paint. These paints vary in their base components. Alkyd house paint is oil based while latex or acrylic paint is water based.

As a general rule these two types of paints requires specific order of application when combined. The rule is to never place water based paint over oil based paint and should never be interchanged as compatibility issues may arise. If you should decide to place latex or water based paint over oil based paint you must use a primer first prior to the water based paint application.

Types of house paints

Latex Paint

Latex paint is the most popular type of house paint available in the market. Its water-based component provides a quick dry feature and is nearly odorless.

People with issues on VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) components in most paints prefer to use water based paints. As water based paints have minimal amount of VOC and even offers VOC-free paint products.

Latex paints are ideally applied in a high temperature surrounding because of its inability to provide a quality finish on low temperature surroundings. Latex paints usually freeze before or during application with cold weather resulting to a damaged paint film or finish.

100 % Acrylic House Paint is the best type of water-based paint and is more expensive compared to regular latex paints. This paint is easy to apply, resistant to splatter, highly durable and can preserve its fine finish for a long time.

Alkyd Paint

Alkyd paint is commonly used by experienced or professional house painters. This type of house paint creates a finer finish with minimal brush marks. It is highly durable, stain proof and is available for spray paint application with a very satisfying finish.

Unlike water based paints alkyd paint takes time to dry. It contains large amount of VOC, which cause sharp solvent smell during and after application. This type of paint is ideally applied on well-ventilated houses as the scent can still stick even after the paint has dried.

Alkyd house paint is most compatible with your house’s cabinets, doors and interior wood trim. Remember to avoid thick application of this paint as its slow drying characteristic can cause it to sag and ruin your house paint’s finish.

Specialty house paint

Elastomeric paint

Elastomeric paint is an exterior product designed for fractured masonry. It is highly concentrated with thick rubber like application feature, which allows it to reconstruct small cracks and spread evenly over the surface. It is highly recommended for wooden houses.

Direct to Metal paint

Direct to metal paint is commonly used for industrial finish. Though there are other types of this paint that is readily available for general consumers and is used to paint steel areas of houses.

Epoxy paint

Epoxy paints are made of strong epoxy like materials combined with a paint finish. It is a very strong type of paint and are resistant to chemicals and scratch proof. It is commonly used on garage and porch floors or any part of the house that needs some tough paint finish.

Choosing the right type of paint for your house requires many considerations such as the type of materials, weather condition and paint application.

Getting the right type of house paint is the same as getting the right weapon to defend one’s self. Your paint serves as your house’s primary layer of defense as it should protect the material it is covering. Woods for example can be water resistant with a water resistant paint or UV protected with UV protectant paint. It is just a matter of choosing which paint would best beautify and defend your house.