Selecting Paint: Latex Paint Finishes

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Almost all professional painters favor flat latex paints these days for most walls and ceiling jobs. They usually choose latex semi-gloss or gloss paints to paint woodwork. Latex has a number of advantages over the older, natural oil-based and synthetic alkyd paints which contains solvents that cause pollution. Because latex is water-based it means that it rarely has to be thinned. Brushes and any paint drips clean up easily with soap and water. It also emits no fumes or vapors when applied and most important of all – it dries fast.

Latex Paint Finishes

There are many choices for finishes because it has expanded considerably in recent years.

Eggshell paint is very versatile in that it combines the soft finish of flat with the washability of semi-gloss. Use it wherever you want lustrous surface without the shiny look of gloss paints.

Flat paint is an all-purpose paint with a soft, glare-free finish that hides minor surface irregularities to produce the greatest uniformity of appearance. It is the usual choice for ceilings and for walls in low-traffic areas.

Medium or semi-gloss paint is highly washable. It works well on windows, doors and architectural trim, as well as on walls in kitchens and baths where you want moisture resistance and a greater degree of washability. And semi-gloss applies with nearly the same ease as flat and eggshell paints.

High-gloss paint has the highest luster, has a highly reflective surface and resists grease and mildew. It takes a lot of abuse and can be washed repeatedly without losing shine. Its disadvantage is a tendency to show flaws and streaks so be extra careful in preparing the surface and in applying the paint.