Latex vs. Acrylic Paint: Which Is Best for Your Next Painting Project?
Painting can be messy, but choosing between latex and acrylic doesn’t have to be
Highlights
Latex paint is best for interior projects and comes in more finish options.
Latex paint is less expensive and more environmentally friendly.
Acrylic paint holds up better outdoors and in bathrooms.
Acrylic and latex paints both have a solid life span of five to 10 years.
Is it time for an exciting new painting project? Either acrylic or latex paint could be the perfect match for you, depending on what you’re painting. Latex is great for interior projects, such as walls and ceilings, while acrylic is better for exterior projects and bathrooms.
If you need help deciding between the two, we've got your back. Learn all about latex vs. acrylic paint to choose the right type of paint for your project and successfully reinvent your space.
Latex vs. Acrylic Paint
Latex paint is less expensive and better for interior projects, while acrylic paint can be more durable and better for high-moisture applications like bathrooms.
Since both acrylic and latex paints use synthetic resins to suspend and bond pigments in a liquid medium until dry, the major difference between the two is the name of the resin.
Acrylic paint tends to be longer-wearing than latex, while latex tends to be simpler to apply. And since both paint types are water-based, they’re popular for cleanup and safety reasons.
Some key factors make each paint best in certain situations, so let’s break down their advantages and disadvantages.
Here's a breakdown of key factors you should consider when deciding on latex vs. acrylic paint, with a clear winner in each category:
Appearance
Both latex and acrylic paints look beautiful and smooth on the proper surfaces. Acrylic paint holds up better outdoors thanks to its ability to expand and contract. It’s also UV-resistant, helping it to fend off any fading.
Latex paint, on the other hand, holds up well indoors and is easy to clean. It’s also a go-to choice for ceilings.
Most attractive: Tie: latex for interiors, acrylic for exteriors
Durability
Acrylic paint is better for outdoor use because it expands and contracts with fluctuating temperatures. It also resists moisture and scuffs, making it the better choice for bathrooms and interior trim. Latex paint is durable enough for painting interior walls and ceilings, but it doesn’t have the adaptability of acrylic.
Most durable: Acrylic
Price
Latex paint is less expensive than acrylic due to its wide availability. A gallon of interior latex paint typically costs $15 to $60, while a gallon of exterior acrylic paint costs $20 to $80 on average.
Most affordable: Latex
DIY-ability
It’s easier to apply latex paint than acrylic paint. It dries quickly, allowing you to paint another coat after four hours. While some acrylic paints only require four hours between coats, experts recommend waiting eight to 12 hours between coats to ensure the best result.
Latex paint is also a bit more forgiving than acrylic paint. While latex dries quickly, you can clean off mistakes and drips with a clean, damp cloth or paper towel. Acrylic adheres extremely well and is harder to remove if you make a mistake.
Easiest to DIY: Latex
Maintenance
No matter which paint type you choose, after your paint is fully dry, you can clean your walls and other painted surfaces with warm water and a gentle cleaning agent. Both latex and acrylic paints are easy to touch up and maintain in the event that the kids get a little too overzealous with their crafts or someone takes a tumble while holding their dinner.
Easiest maintenance: Tie
Life Span
The life span of latex- and acrylic-painted surfaces is five to 10 years on average, depending on the quality of the paint and the wear and tear. Acrylic paint holds up better outdoors due to its UV resistance and ability to expand and contract with temperature changes. Latex holds up equally well indoors in non-humid spaces.
Longest life span: Tie: depends on paint quality and wear and tear
Eco-Friendliness
Latex paint emits low levels of VOCs, making it environmentally friendly and safe for indoor use with children and pets. Acrylic paint emits a moderate amount of VOCs, so take standard safety precautions if you’re using it indoors, such as wearing a protective mask and ensuring you properly ventilate the area.
Best for the environment: Latex
By now, you probably have a better idea of who will come out on top for your project in the battle of latex versus acrylic paint. However, getting a second opinion is never a bad idea. For an expert’s viewpoint on the best type of paint for you, work with a local house painter. They can help ensure the best finish, appearance, and longevity of your paint project.
Latex Paint Pros and Cons
Latex paint is a water-based paint made of pigments, binders, and water-based liquids. It’s durable and non-toxic, making it great for interior projects. You can choose between a variety of sheens ranging from flat to high-gloss to best fit the home painting project you’re working on.
Latex paint is the more affordable option in most cases, making this a no-brainer for anyone painting over a large surface area or multiple rooms. Of all the paint types, latex releases the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which makes it an environmentally friendly option and suitable for indoor use around pets and children.
Pros
Affordable
Dries quickly
Minimal odor and low levels of VOCs
Easy to clean
Covers surfaces in a few coats
Various finishes
Doesn’t trap moisture
Unlikely to yellow over time
Cons
Can cause the grain to swell when painting on wood
Can show brush strokes
Doesn’t adhere well to surfaces like metal or steel
Best Uses for Latex Paint
Aluminum siding
Ceilings
Concrete
Drywall and plaster
Interior projects
Painting large areas
Stucco
Wood
Acrylic Paint Pros and Cons
Acrylic is a water-based paint made of pigments, binders, and acrylic resin. It expands and contracts well, making it great for outdoor projects, such as painting your wood siding. Acrylic paint is also mold-, mildew-, and water-resistant when dry, so many people choose acrylic when painting a bathroom. Flat, satin, and gloss are the most common finish options for acrylic paint, but sometimes you can find high-gloss or semi-gloss paint sheens in acrylic.
Pros
Provides a thick, durable film
Water-resistant when dry
Expands and contracts when temperatures fluctuate, preventing cracks and peeling
UV-resistant
Dries quickly
Mold- and mildew-resistant
Strong adhesive properties
Cons
More expensive
Produces moderate levels of VOCs
Often requires multiple coats
Can show cracks in high-traffic areas
Not available in as many sheen options as latex
Best Uses for Acrylic Paint
Bathrooms
Cabinets
Exterior projects
Interior trim
Painting over rust
Siding
Small pieces of furniture
Jenna Jonaitis contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use latex or acrylic paint outdoors. Although acrylic paint tends to last longer outside, it also costs more, so if you’re painting the outside of your house, for instance, latex paint is often a go-to option. However, acrylic will be your best choice if you want to spend some extra money for added durability.
Acrylic paint is a good choice for bathrooms because it’s moisture-resistant and holds up to some scrubbing. Acrylic paints’ water-resistant attributes make it better for protecting wood, wallboard, and other surfaces from exposure to moisture, so acrylic paint is hands down the best choice for a bathroom.
It’s fine to paint over acrylic paint with latex paint as long as the surface is properly prepped. If your paint surface isn’t glossy, you should be able to apply your paint or primer directly to it. If your acrylic surface is glossy, rough up the surface with some sandpaper first and use a good primer to ensure proper adhesion for your latex paint.