Latex paint: advantages and disadvantages

Today, painting is a very common method for repairing indoor premises as well as for finishing surfaces in the open air. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of paints, among which latex is in great demand. It can be used to design the facades of buildings, as well as for painting various surfaces in apartments and houses.

Latex is the juice of rubber plants. It acts as a dispersion of particles of natural rubber polymer. But the use of natural raw materials is costly, so this option is quite expensive. Today, synthetic polymers are used to make latex.which has a positive effect on its value.

Latex paint is presented in the form of an aqueous liquid dispersion of any polymer of artificial origin. This means that the polymer particles do not dissolve in water, but its presence prevents their adhesion. After painting the surface, the water evaporates, and the polymer particles gradually stick together, forming a continuous film. Strong adhesion of paint to the surface.

The characteristics of the latex paint depend entirely on the properties of the polymer used to make it.

The color performance of latex paint depends on the color, which is presented in the form of a paste. The composition of the product is added to the substance you need shade.

An interesting fact is that latex was widely used even in the times of ancient Egypt. In the future, this material was used in painting, including the creation of icons. Latex was used in construction work only at the beginning of the XIX century.

Advantages of latex paint:

• This is an environmentally friendly product. It can be used to design bedrooms, living rooms and even children's rooms.
• Durable coating. The paint creates a reliable layer on the painted surface, but it is worth being careful with its care. Do not frequently apply wet cleaning to painted surfaces.
• Easy to use and low consumption. Latex paint is characterized by excellent hiding power, so when painting almost no leakage occurs. An average of 100 to 500 ml of paint will be required per square meter of surface.
• No characteristic odor. Latex is a combination of polymers and particles, so it does not emit a specific odor.
• Fast polymerization. After dyeing, it dries very quickly. Usually this process takes up to five hours. Drying speed depends on air temperature.

Latex paint is characterized by a wide range of uses. Depending on the variety, it can be used for exterior decoration or for indoor work. Substances for painting facades have a special compound that protects the surface from the formation of mold and mildew. The following paints are suitable for painting indoor surfaces:

• acrylic - a good solution for painting wood;
• vinyl - ideal for painting ceilings and walls;

• dense - designed exclusively for ceilings;
• textural - the excellent decision for creation of a relief print embodying the most courageous design ideas;
• drip-free - allows you to hide various kinds of bumps and cracks.

Depending on the appearance of acrylic paint is divided into several types:

• Matte finish - Ideal to hide some flaws on the surface. It perfectly masks minor irregularities. This tile is not afraid of exposure to sunlight, since it practically does not heat up. Its disadvantage is that it quickly becomes polluted. It requires careful and frequent maintenance, but it perfectly maintains contact with water and friction.

• Glossy - a good solution for decorating the room inside or outside work. It allows you to visually increase the area of ​​the room. This paint practically does not get dirty.Its disadvantage is that it can be used exclusively for painting a flat surface.
• Semi-matt - stands the golden mean between matte and gloss paint. It combines the advantages of the above species.

There is another classification of latex products, which depends on the additives introduced into them.

This paint is produced on the basis of PVA (vinyl acetate polymer). It is often referred to as water-based or water-dispersion.

Advantages of polyvinyl acetate paint:

• does not contain solvents;
• almost no smell;
• has good grip;
• it is easily washed off from hands if still not completely dried up;
• affordable price.

But water-based paint can be washed off even after complete drying, therefore, it is not recommended to be used for external works. It has a chalky effect, as a result, in contact with it you can stain your clothes.

This paint is ideal for painting ceilings, as it is an ideal option for working with hard-to-reach places in dry rooms.

This type is often referred to as water-based latex paints. The difference lies in the fact that butadiene paint is characterized by excellent moisture resistance and high wear resistance. It is inexpensive, and therefore in demand.

Its disadvantage is low light resistance. When exposed to sunlight, it changes color very quickly. It can be safely used for interior work. It is ideal for a hallway, corridor or pantry.

This option is ideal for painting facades. It is resistant to moisture and light, and is also characterized by increased vapor permeability. This paint is an excellent substitute for silicate and silicone. It has similar properties as silicate, but it is cheaper, so the demand for it is always great.

This option is expensive, but has excellent performance. It can be used for decoration of facades of buildings or as interior enamel.It retains its attractive appearance under any circumstances.

Many buyers agree that It is better to buy expensive acrylic paint and paint the room once for a long time than to buy a cheap analogue every year and paint again.

Latex paints are universal, because they are suitable for painting various surfaces. They fit well on drywall, foam concrete, plaster, even on plastic window sills.

Initially, latex paints are available in white. The manufacturer uses its own color to create the desired color. Sometimes even in the store carry out tinting "to order." The feature of latex-based products is that they are not represented in bright colors. With the help of Kohler you can get only pastel colors.

Black latex paint deserves special attention, since it is not often used, but it can give the interior new notes if used wisely. On a black background, bright colors look very beautiful and spectacular. Black paint will eliminate unnecessary variegation.

When choosing a color solution, it is also worth paying attention to how the surface will turn out after painting - matte or glossy. To hide minor defects and inaccuracies, you should use a matte paint.

Today latex paints are very popular and in demand. Many well-known manufacturers offer quality, durable and reliable options. There are many positive reviews about the products of many companies, like Tikkurila, Parade, Dulux, Dufa, Din Profilux, Pufas. Among the Russian manufacturers is to highlight the company. Lacra and Tex.

Finnish Tikkurila paints have an excellent reputation. They can paint previously painted, puttied, concrete and plastered surfaces. The company offers a wide selection, so you can easily choose the best option depending on the application.

Paint "Eco Joker" It is based on acrylic without the addition of organic solvents. Matt washable surface attracts attention with a silky effect.Eco Joker paint is a good choice for painting different surfaces. It looks beautiful on wood, wallpaper and concrete. Perfect for painting brick, cardboard, plaster, plastered surfaces.

The Eco Joker interior paint can be applied to both new and painted surfaces. It is ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and children's rooms. Another advantage is that it dries very quickly, and after two hours you can apply a new coat of paint.

Euro 2 - a good solution for painting ceilings, because it is based on copolymer dispersion. The paint is matte, environmentally friendly. It can even be used for bedrooms and children's rooms. Euro 3 Perfect for painting wooden surfaces or fiberboard. "Euro 20" suitable for wet rooms, as well as for painting radiators.

English company Dulux offers products with good hiding power. Tinted paints can be used to create stylish interior designs. They are characterized by fast drying and excellent viscosity. For painting wallpapers a good solution is "Dulux Easy", and for dyeing coatings that require frequent washing, it is worth purchasing "Dulux V Sheen."

German manufacturer Dufaowned by concern Meffert AG Farbwerke, is one of the largest manufacturers in Europe. It offers products for interior and exterior use, regardless of the type of surface.

Products of the German company Pufas is known in the Russian market. The brand offers a wide range of colors, ease of use, versatility and affordable price.

Latex paint "Matt-Latex" it is safe for health, because it contains no solvents. It is characterized by elasticity, efficiency, excellent moisture resistance, durability, gives a glossy shine to the surface and its full drying occurs within 24 hours.

Products of the Swedish company Parade For many years in demand in many countries around the world. The brand offers high-quality products at an affordable price, offering a wide range of both interior decoration and facade work.

Paint "Parade Diy" is waterproof, therefore, it is an ideal option for bathrooms and kitchens.It fits perfectly on the surface, while it differs by a small expense. Affordable price will appeal to every buyer.

Paint and varnish products of a Russian manufacturer have a good price-quality ratio. Lacra. It offers facade and interior options, a wide choice of colors, excellent quality, durability and elasticity. Many consumers leave only positive feedback on the brand's products.

Russian company "Tex" offers high-quality acrylic paints. The advantage of the product is that it does not drip and does not flow. The painted surface is well breathable, and not prone to the formation of fungus and mold. If we talk about the shortcomings, then before using the product, you must first apply a primer on the surface that is planned to be painted.

When choosing a latex paint, you need to pay attention to three main characteristics:

• wear resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• degree of gloss.

The above indicators have a close relationship with each other.For example, glossy paint is always notable for increased wear resistance. But it should be understood that the gloss shines brightly under the sun's rays, emphasizing all the irregularities and cracks in the surface. It is better to prefer the option with a lower degree of gloss. Semi-matt paint is the best option.

It is necessary to understand that on the bank of moisture-proof paint it will be indicated exactly the cycles of wet abrasion, while on the non-moisture-resistant - dry. One cycle is equal to one washing a painted surface without harming its color performance.

For dry rooms, you can use paint with a number of cycles from 1000 to 2000, while products with 1000 cycles are suitable for ceilings, and not less than 2000 for walls. This option is perfect for decorating a bedroom, living room or children's room.

If you need to choose paint for wet rooms (kitchen or bathroom), you should purchase an option that has from 2000 to 3000 cycles. For external works, including for painting facades, as well as for painting the oven, it must have at least 10,000 cycles.

Another indicator is the paint class. It indicates the level of abrasion, namely:

• class 1 - the most resistant to wet abrasion;
• class 2 - do not wash when wet cleaning;
• class 3 - low levels of resistance, but normally react to contact with water;
• class 4 - suitable only for dry cleaning, it is forbidden to wash such surfaces;
• class 5 - low resistance to both dry and wet abrasion.

How to paint the walls with latex paint, you will learn from the following video.