Types of Paint: Which Is Best for Your Project?

Home painting projects are a great way to express your style and give your home the exact look you want. Even before you decide what paint color will look best, there’s a dizzying array of paint types to choose from. There are three main types of paint: water-based (latex), acrylic, and oil-based, and many additional types of specialty paint, each ideal for a different kind of project. We’ll explore ten types of paint so you can choose the best paint for your project. 

1. Water-Based (Latex) Paint

Water-based, or latex, paint is the most common type of interior paint found today. It’s available in a range of paint sheen levels from matte to super-glossy and is easy to apply and easy to clean. Latex paint is a popular choice for wall and ceiling paint and is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which makes it an environmentally friendly option.

Best for: Interior walls and ceilings

2. Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is known for its ability to adhere to a variety of surfaces and its durability once dry. It expands and contracts, so it’s less likely to crack or peel due to fluctuating temperatures. It’s also water-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor projects and rooms with high humidity, like bathrooms and kitchens.

Best for: Exterior projects and high-humidity rooms like bathrooms

3. Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paint has become less popular than it was in earlier decades, falling out of fashion due to its complicated application and difficult disposal. This paint gives a durable, hard finish once dry and offers a polished, professional look, but if you’re interested in oil-based paint, you may want to hire a professional painter. This paint is hard to apply, takes a very long time to dry, and has strict regulations regarding its disposal. A local interior painter will be able to navigate the complexities of oil-based paint if you have your heart set on it.

Best for: High-end trim and furniture, high-traffic areas like hallways

4. Enamel Paint

Enamel paint offers a high-gloss, hard-surfaced finish. Enamel paint is most often made with a mixture of solvents or water-based liquids and resins that begin to harden when exposed to air. This reaction leaves a strong, durable finish that makes enamel paint ideal for painting on metal, cabinets, appliances, and more.

Best for: Metal, cabinetry, handrails, appliances

5. Chalk Paint

Chalk paint is a water-based paint that’s most often used to paint furniture. It can be used with various finishes and waxes to give a matte look that’s popular among fans of farmhouse vintage style. This paint can be thinned with water for an even more sheer finish or used full strength for more coverage. Chalk paint should be re-waxed every few years to maintain its vintage feel.

Best for: Refinishing wood furniture

6. Metallic Paint

If you love the luxe look of metallics, metallic paint allows you to get that high-shine finish on a variety of surfaces. Made to mimic various metals, such as gold, bronze, or copper, or adding a shimmery finish to a base color, metallic paints can be used as an accent or the main feature. Metallic paints come in a range of formulations for different surfaces, so be sure you pick one made for your type of project.

Best for: Trim, accent walls, furniture, decor accents 

7. Milk Paint

This environmentally friendly paint is typically made from milk proteins, lime, and natural pigments like clay and is a popular choice for restoring furniture. It’s often sold as a powder, so you need to mix it with water before use. Milk paint results in a vintage or distressed finish with a slight sheen, unlike chalk paint’s matte finish. 

Best for: Furniture restoration, accent walls, wood mantels and hearths 

8. Primer

While not technically a paint, primer is an important part of the painting process and is applied using the methods you use for paint. This base layer is brushed or rolled on before paint to act as a barrier between the paint and the surface being painted and to give an even, consistent paint finish. Primer covers stains and darker paint that may bleed through lighter paint colors, protects drywall, and allows paint to adhere properly for a long-lasting finish.

Best for: Painting unfinished drywall or wood, covering darker paint colors

9. Interior Paint

Interior paint is specifically made for interior walls and ceilings and is most commonly latex or acrylic. This paint comes in a range of sheen finishes, is easy to clean, and is available in an almost endless array of colors. Some homeowners choose to DIY interior painting projects, while others find it worth the cost to paint their home’s interior to hire a pro for the best results.

Best for: Walls, ceilings, interior finishes

10. Exterior Paint

Exterior paint is designed to withstand the elements and keep the outside of your house looking fresh for years to come. Acrylic paint is often used for exteriors due to its durability and resistance to mildew, mold, UV rays, and water damage. 

Best for: Siding, shutters, doors, exterior features