Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Latex Paints for Interior Design and Decorating
All You Need to Know About Paint
Paint - Water Thinned Coatings, or Water Based Paints
Emulsion Paints
The medium or vehicle is an emulsion, which is a substance consisting of one liquid (oil) dispersed in droplets throughout another liquid (water).
In respect to paints, the oil is a drying oil or an oil based binder like alkyd.
Emulsifying agents are then added to make the substance stable.
These agents could be soda, ammonia or detergents.
After application the water evaporates and the coating hardens by oxidation.
Emulsion paints are used as exterior coating on blocks and plasterwork.
They have some of the advantages of oil-based coatings, the ability to bind back loose powder on the substrate, and a more penetrating adhesion.
Latex Paints
The medium or vehicle is a man made latex, which is a dispersion of a synthetic resin binder in a watery base.
The resin is made up of tiny sticky globules, which are surrounded by the base of water.
On application, the water evaporates and the sticky globules adhere together, in turn trapping the pigment particles between them.
The resin finally hardens by polymerisation.
To improve the quality of latex paints many additives have been used, wetting agents, freeze-thaw stabiliser, acidity control agent, perfume, fungicides, dispersants, anti foam agent, flow agent.
Advantages of using Latex Paint
The product has a fast drying time
It is relatively easily applied
It has a non offensive odour
It is alkali resistant (for example with new concrete it requires that the substrate only needs to be surface dry)
The brushes are easily cleaned (if properly used)
The thinning substance (water) is cheap
The breathing properties mean that the chance of blistering is lowered
Disadvantages of using Latex Paints
There is no penetration, the product adheres by surface bond only
It doesn't flow as well as oil based paints
The high gloss level of oil based paints is not achievable
It retains dirt on the surface because of its thermo plastic nature (capable of softening or melting when heated and of hardening again once cooled)
It has a Minimum Film Forming Temperature (MFFT) of 10° C
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