SELECTING INTERIOR PAINT

     It’s time to paint the inside of your home. Why do so many people dread this task? Besides the almost unlimited number of color choices available, you also need to select the brand, type, and sheen of paint. No wonder painting is so overwhelming! 
     Not all paints are created equal. Sometimes you get what you pay for. On average, you will usually pay at least $25/gallon for good quality paint. Here are some tips on choosing the type and sheen of paint for your project.

OIL OR LATEX
     The first decision is whether to use oil or latex paint. Both have pros and cons. The overwhelming majority of people choose latex, and that is my recommendation for the average homeowner. It is water-based, which makes clean-up easy. Latex paint is simple to apply and dry time varies from 1 hour to 8 hours, depending on the brand and type.
     
     Oil paint does not dissolve in water. Therefore, it is more difficult to clean up after using. – mineral spirits are needed. Oil paint is thicker, and more difficult to apply. However, it does provide better coverage than latex. It is extremely durable, and can be used on a wide range of surfaces. It is not as popular with homeowners because of the long dry time, and strong smell from the chemicals. Dry time can be 12-24 hours or longer.

      In oil-based paints, VOCs are used as the solvent that dissolves the other ingredients in the paint. Latex uses water as the main solvent, but does have varying amounts of VOCs.
Latex paints are now available in no or low VOC formulas. In order to be labeled low-VOC, paints must meet the EPA’s guidelines (www.epa.gov).

VOCs
     Volatile Organic Compounds are organic chemicals used as solvents in many paints. They are the ingredients that give paint its characteristic smell. VOCs are released as gases from paints that contain them. They have the potential to be harmful to our health. However, there is still much debate over the exact short and long term effects. Other products that emit VOCs include cleaning supplies, furniture, and carpet.

SHEEN
     The next decision when buying paint is to select the finish. Choices include between flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss, and high gloss. The paints increase in sheen as you go from flat to high gloss. Shinier paints are easier to clean. However, the shinier the surface, the more it shows any unevenness or flaws in the walls.

     Flat paints have no sheen to them. Another way to look at it is that they don’t reflect light as much as other finishes. This makes them the most difficult to clean. However, they also are the best to use if your ways are not perfect. They won’t highlight imperfections. Matte is very similar to flat, with possibly a very small hint of sheen. Like flat, it is durable and easy to clean. Both flat and matte are good choices for walls in rooms that don’t get high traffic.

     Eggshell and satin are similar, if not identical. Different brands use different terminology. They are durable, and easier to clean than flat paints. They have more sheen than flat, and are better at hiding imperfections than the shinier paints. This is one of the most popular choices for walls.
     Semi-gloss has a shine to it; it reflects light. A semi-gloss finish is easier to clean than the finishes mentioned thus far. It is a popular choice for cabinets, trim, dressers, or walls in areas that get lots of wear and tear, such as entries and bathrooms.

     Gloss is very shiny. You can use gloss for the same projects as semi-gloss. Most people find it too shiny for walls. Also, both semi-gloss and gloss should not be used if the walls are in poor condition, as the paint will highlight all the flaws. As you can imagine, high gloss is the shiniest of the paints finishes mentioned here. It is rarely used by the average person. It can be good on trim or cabinets.

     Overall, eggshell (or satin) and semi-gloss are the most popular for the average homeowner.

BRANDS
     There really is no best paint to recommend. Everyone has their own preferences. I tend to favor Behr paints from Home Depot. I like eggshell or satin for walls, and semi-gloss for furniture, cabinetry, trim, and wainscoting. 

     Here are some manufacturers and brands that offer low or no VOC paints. These are just a few. Many more are being introduced all the time. Do a web search or check out Consumer Reports for reviews (www.consumerreports.com). Keep in mind that different sheens of paint from the same company can perform differently.

Low VOC options:
1. Behr Premium Plus Enamel (from Home Depot, www.homedepot.com)
2. ben Low VOC Paint (from www.Benjaminmoore.com)
3. Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex (from Sherwin-Williams, www.sherwin-williams.com)
4. Valspar Ultra Premium Interior Paint (from Lowes, www.lowes.com).
5. Kilz Casual Colors (from Walmart, www.walmart.com)

No VOC options:
1. YOLO Colorhouse (www.yolocolorhouse.com or Home Depot, www.homedepot.com)
2. Harmony Interior Acrylic Latex (from Sherwin-Williams, www.sherwin-williams.com)
3. HGTV Home (from Sherwin-Williams www.sherwin-williams.com)
4. Benjamin Moore Eco Spec Interior Latex (from www.benjaminmoore.com)
5. Olympic Premium Interior Latex (from www.lowes.com)
6. Mythic (from Mythic Paints, www.mythicpaints.com)
7. The Freshaire Choice (from Home Depot, www.homedepot.com)