Coating walls with latex paint

For a long time, latex paints have become a popular choice for coating interiors, as they combine modern technologies, aesthetics and practical use. Latex paints are manufactured according to the actual standards, which regulate the content of hazardous substances. That’s why they are safe to be used in living premises. Water plays the role of diluent and allows escaping a strong chemical odor. It makes them safe for people as well as for the environment, which is especially important in apartments and houses with children. A modern market offers a wide range of paints, which differ from one another in terms of their content, features, texture, and, of course, color ratio.

How color and texture of the paint change the space?

It is worth noting that the color of the walls substantially affects the whole atmosphere and style of the interior and has a significant impact on a person, activating certain emotions and associations. When you choose the right color shade, it can make the room cozier and more relaxing (pastel colors), energetic and stimulating (bright colors), visually bigger (light colors) or intimate and closed (saturated and deep colors). Except for color, the texture of paint plays an important role. Mat surfaces absorb light, creating a calm and elegant atmosphere and also mask small defects on the walls. Glossy paints reflect light, making the premises brighter and more festive, but they also emphasize all surface defects.

Advantages of using latex paint:

It dries quickly. Unlike traditional alkyd enamels, latex paint dries in few hours, which allows applying several coats without postponing and finishing the renovation works as quickly as possible. It sticks well to different types of surfaces – from stucco to wood and also keeps perfectly on walls, which were coated before. But you have to prepare the walls for coating correctly.
It is a quick way to refresh or completely renovate the interior. Just changing the color of the walls, you can breathe new life into the premises, without a full renovation. It is comfortable, not expensive and allows experimenting without special risks.
There is a way for creative and non-standard decisions. Hundreds of tones are available today, which you can adopt to every style or mood. You can make a bright accent wall, stress on some zone in a living room or a working place, or even create unique effects with stencils, a brush, or a sponge.

How to choose paint for walls?

Choosing paint for walls, it is important to take into account several factors, which help you achieve not only a beautiful but also a long-lasting result. First and foremost, pay attention to the type of premise. For example, a bedroom or a living room is the place to chill out. They are good for calm matt or silky-matt paints, which create a cozy atmosphere. For a bathroom or kitchen, we recommend having a look at the paints with high humidity resistance and that are resistant to wet rubbing. These kinds of paints can easily resist repeated cleaning and moisture fluctuation.Universal acrylic or high-quality latex paints represented in our assortment are perfect for concrete, gypsum, and other plastered surfaces. They provide good adhesion with the base coating, an aesthetic look, and a durable coating, no matter what type of base surface it is. And of course, don’t forget about safety. If there are children in the house, people with allergies, or pets, consider using hypoallergenic paints. They have no strong odor, do not emit harmful substances, and absolutely are safe for sensitive individuals.

How to apply paint on the wall?

The correct technique for applying the paint is a key factor in reaching a quality and long-lasting result. Incorrect preparation of the surface or some technological violations can cause uneven coating, stripes, peeling of paint and other defects. Let’s have a detailed view of each of these points:

1. Preparing of the surface (cleaning and priming):

This step is a basement of successful coating. If the surface is not prepared correctly all your efforts can be spoiled.

The walls need to be thoroughly cleaned of all kinds of contamination, such as dust, dirt, oily stains, old paint, mold, and fungi. It provides smoothness to the surface and prevents the coating from flaking off.
Priming the walls provides better paint adhesion to the surface and prevents paint flaking off and cracking. It lessens paint absorption and equalizes the color of the base surface.

The walls require no priming if they have been previously coated and the coating is hard, undamaged, and has no peeling or chalking.

2. Tools, which you need for the work.

The right choice of tools significantly simplifies the process of coating and affects the result. So, what do we need?

1. Rollers.

It is a basic tool for coating large areas. Choose a m rubberroller depending on the type of the surface and desired effect:

For smooth surfaces (gypsum boards, smooth plaster) you can use the rollers with short or medium pile (velour or foam rubber).
For rough surfaces (textured plaster), you should use rollers with long pile (textile)

2. Brushes.

They are required for coating corners, edges, details of the interior and places, which are difficult to reach. Choose brushes with different width and form depending on the tasks. Brushes with synthetic pile are better for water-based paints.

3. Masking tape.

It is used to protect joint surfaces (window frames, doors, floor skirting) from accidental paint stains and to create clear lines when painting the surface with several colors. Adjust the tape right before you start painting and carefully remove it right after applying the last coat of paint until it doesn’t get dry.

You will need additional tools: a cuvette for paint, protective film for the floor, a ladder or a chair, a telescopic handle for the roller.

3. Technology of application.

Applying two coats of paint is a standard recommendation to achieve a homogeneous, saturated color and durable coating.

The first coat. Apply the paint homogeneously without runs and uncoated areas. Each subsequent pass of the roller must slightly cover the previous one without gaps. Paint the edges and corners with a brush, avoiding marks.

The second coat. Apply it when the previous one is completely dry (drying period is set on the label). The second coat is usually applied perpendicularly to the previous coat. It helps remove possible stripes and provides a more homogeneous color. Apply the paint homogeneously as well as the first coat.

4. Importance of keeping the drying period:

If you don’t follow directions concerning the recommended drying period between coats, it may cause several problems:

Uneven application. The second coat can mix with the previous one, which is not dry enough. It may cause uneven application.
Poor adhesion between the coats and risk of flaking in time. If you apply a new coat too early, you may partially remove the previous one and leave the holes or damaged areas.

Obligatory keep the drying period determined by the manufacturer on the label of a paint or a primer. The drying period can deviate depending on the type of paint, temperature or humidity of the air in the premises. We usually recommend having good ventilation when the surface is painted or definitely, when it dries.

Coating walls with latex paint is a practical, safe and aesthetic decision for the interior renovation. Due to its properties, latex paint provides a durable coating, which is easy to take care and is available in a wide color range and textures. If you want to get the best possible result, it is important not only to choose the correct type of paint but also to thoroughly prepare the surface and follow all directions. Following these simple recommendations, you can create a balanced, stylish and durable design in your house.