Interior Paint: Oil Vs. Latex-Based

When painting a child's room, take into consideration the toxicity of the paint.

Both latex and oil-based paints can be used to paint interiors. There are pros and cons to both paints, so take into consideration what you want from your paint and your room when making the choice about what kind of paint to use. Also, think about how easy or hard you want the cleanup to be and the time frame you are working with to paint the room.

Latex

Latex paint is water-based and made with acrylic or vinyl binders. Binders are the ingredients in paint that join all the different elements. The more acrylic elements in the paint, the more durable it is, which is why this is a good choice for families. Being water-based means there is a chance it can come off when cleaning the walls. Latex paint will dry in about 6 hours. There are different finishes from matte to gloss.

Oil-Based

Oil-based paint is made with different oils, like linseed oil. The use of oil makes the use of chemicals necessary to clean brushes and other materials used. It is a thick paint that will cover large areas and almost all materials. Also, it has a sheen, due to the oil, so a finishing coat is often not needed. Oil-based paints have a tendency to yellow over time.

Advantages

There are advantages to both paints. Latex paints have a shorter drying time, which many would see as an advantage because the room will be ready to use in a shorter period of time. Oil-based paints can take a day or longer to dry, which is an advantage because it allows for more time to work with the paint. Latex is very easy to clean up because it is water-based and everything can be cleaned with soap and water. Oil-based paints are thick, so they can easily cover a surface with just one coat.

Disadvantages

Both paints have disadvantages as well. Oil-based paints have a strong odor, as do the chemicals that are necessary for cleanup. Over time, oil-based paints have been known to crack and yellow. Also, oil-based paints are less available than latex paints. Latex paints are water-based, so if used in high traffic areas, they need a finishing coat to be put on. Also, latex paints cause wood grains to shrink. This means that walls will need to be sanded in between coats.

Considerations

Things to think about when choosing which paint to use are traffic, paint toxicity and cleanup. Decide how often people touch the walls of the room you are painting. If it is often, then you might opt for the oil-based paint because you can wash the walls. Toxicity is important in rooms like nurseries where babies might come in contact with the wall paint. Latex paints are less toxic, so they would be the better choice in rooms like this. Also, consider if you mind the cleanup involved with oil-based paints. Not only do they require chemicals to remove the paint, but there are also special disposal directions that need to be followed.

References

• Painting Key: Oil vs. Latex Paint
• Consumer Search: Types of Interior Paint
• HGTV: Painting 101 Oil or Latex