OIL VS. WATERBORNE
ACRYLIC VS. VINYL
DIFFERENT FINISHES

Not all paint is created equal. Top quality paints provide tremendous benefits. They adhere to the surface much better and hide uneven colouration in the substrate better. They also provide better scrub resistance, hiding and stain removability than economy paints. And despite costing more per gallon, they are actually more economical since they last longer and cost less per year.

OIL VS. WATERBORNE

This choice is mostly a low sheen of personal preference, but it may help to make your choice based on the advantages each type of paint offers. Quality interior acrylic paints provide better long-term flexibility and resistance to cracking and chipping. They also tend to resist yellowing with age in areas protected from sunlight. They emit less odour, clean up with water and are not flammable Oil-based paints offer superior one-coat hiding and better adhesion to difficult surfaces such as those not thoroughly cleaned. Oil-based paints allow for greater 'opentime' or length of time the paint may be brushed before it sets; and superior resistance to 'blocking' or face-to-face sticking and abrasion, once cured.

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ACRYLIC VS. VINYL

If you choose acrylic paint, there are acrylic and vinyl acrylic formulations. A 100% acrylic formula offers several advantages including better adhesion in wet conditions, and better resistance to peeling, blistering, dirt and mildew growth resistance to staining from water and foods like mustard, ketchup and coffee is another plus along with resistance to alkalinity in household cleansers.

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DIFFERENT FINISHES

The level of sheen or gloss you select depends as much on appearance as functionality. Each finish has unique characteristics that will highlight or hide the character and construction of the room.

Flat paint is an excellent choice for a uniform appearance across a large area. It tends to hide dents and dings , but it can trap dirt, stain and create a mildew-friendly environment more so than a semigloss or semi-gloss formula. It will also tend to burnish more than other higher sheen finishes.

Semigloss finishes offer a crisp long-lasting just-painted look and are growing in popularity for large wall areas. This finish resists dirt, stains, and burnishing better than flat paint and is suitable for high traffic wall areas.

Semigloss nicely sets off doors, trim and other architectural details that deserve attention. Increasingly homeowners and building managers are opting to use the finish on larger surfaces. Semigloss also tends to resist dirt and mildew. It is a good choice for areas where a shiny appearance is desired like bathrooms and kitchen areas, but it will accentuate imperfections in the surface.

Gloss accentuates trim, windows, doors with even more shine than semigloss. Once only available as an oil-based paint, this finish is now made in acrylic formulas.

Ceiling Paints are formulated to diffuse light from lamps and windows and have excellent spatter resistance, but since they have low hiding and scrub resistance they are not recommended for walls. A standard flat-finish paint is also appropriate for ceilings.

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