Water-Based Paint vs. Solvent-Based Paint for Interior Painting Projects
There is a lot that goes into choosing a paint for your interior painting project. Not only do you have to choose a colour and finish, but also the type of paint that you will use. This is often a part of the painting process that Vancouver homeowners don’t consider.
There are two main types of paint available today: water-based and solvent-based. In the past, solvent-based paints were the only option for interior and exterior painting projects, but improvements in paint technology have made way for water-based paints.
Water-based paints
Water-based paints, also called alkyd paints, now make up over 80% of all residential and industrial paints sold in stores. These paints use water as the primary solvent. The main benefit of water-based paints is that they contain less VOCs, which are toxic chemicals that are commonly found in paint. VOCs are extremely harmful to the environment, and can have significant health impacts when used. This is especially true for interior painting projects. Water based paints also have several other benefits that make them perfect for interior painting, including:
- Quicker drying times: water-based paints are ready for re-coating only two hours after painting
- Low odour: these paints are unlikely to cause headaches when working indoors. Painters will not have to wear a mask when working on interior painting projects with water-based paints
- Safer cleanup and disposal
It is important to note that many water-based paints still contain small amounts of other solvents, often referred to as co-solvents. While they are made with low levels of VOCs, some VOCs are typically still present in the paint. However, professional Vancouver painters like Even Better Painting still recommend water-based paints for interior painting projects.
Acrylic and latex water-based paints
The two main types of water-based paints available are acrylic and latex paints. Latex paint is more user-friendly and easier to apply, while acrylic paint is slightly more durable and resistant to cracking and flaking.
Solvent-based paints
Solvent-based paints contain natural oils as a paint solvent. This is why you may have heard them referred to as oil-based paints. They contain solvent thinners and resin as key components. As the paint begins to dry, the solvent evaporates leaving the resin to create a hard finish. This makes oil-based paints incredibly durable and able to stand up to harsh conditions. Unfortunately, thinner, solvent, and resin have strong odours that can cause headache and dizziness, and can be dangerous when working in confined spaces. These odours linger long after the painting is complete.
These paints also take much longer to dry, and may require paint thinner to thin the paint down and make it usable.
With the rise of water-based paints, it is typically never recommended to use solvent-based paints for interior painting projects. While they can be suitable for industrial exteriors in harsher environments, water-based paints can take on just about any job that was previously done by solvent-based paints. Solvent-based paints can be the superior choice for exterior, industrial projects.
When working with a professional Vancouver painter, it is a good idea to ask which type of paint they will be using, especially on interior painting projects. Most professional painters will choose water-based paints because they are better for the environment, easier to use, and safer for both you and the painter.
