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Acrylic Vs. Latex Paint: The Difference And Which To Use

by Corinne Blohm (2020-10-31)


As a DIY dwellingowner, zimnicea03 you’ll be confronted with loads of decisions throughout your house painting project.


For instance:

What shade?

What end?

What model of paint?

Another question you’ll have to answer is, "Between acrylic vs. latex paint, which one ought to I use?


Right now, there are three types of paints on the market. They're oil, acrylic, and latex-primarily based paints. Oil-based mostly paints have since been faded out over the last 15 years leaving the main options like acrylic and latex.


Each has its advantages and disadvantages and is finest used for sure types of projects. Knowing the distinction can save you lots of time, make your project run smoother, and can help you focus your time on choosing the proper color on your project instead of worrying about paint types.


What Is Acrylic Paint?

Acrylic paint is made of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer answer and acrylic resin. They're chemical-based mostly meaning they turn out to be water resistant after they dry. Right now, acrylic paints are probably the most popular.


Acrylic paint dries extremely quickly. This could also be an advantage when you’re painting a smaller space, but this will make painting bigger areas more difficult. It does not combine well with oil-based paints and won’t adright here to a wall previously painted with oil paint.

What Is Latex Paint?

Latex is a water-primarily based paint. Much like acrylic paint, it is made from acrylic resin. Unlike acrylic, it’s really useful to make use of latex paint when painting bigger areas. Not because it dries slower, but because it’s normally purchased in larger quantities.


Distinction Between Acrylic And Latex Paint

The principle difference between the 2 paints is that acrylic paint is chemical-based mostly and latex paint is water-based. Because it’s chemical-based mostly, the chemical substances in acrylic paint make it more elastic than latex paint.


What does that imply?


The acrylic paint will contract and expand better than latex paint.


Since Latex paint is water-primarily based, it’s simpler to clean up with just soap and water. Acrylic paint needs paint thinners since it’s chemical-based. It’s chemical composition also requires further care when handling. You’ll wish to guarantee your utilizing proper ventilation since acrylic paint can produce dangerous fumes.


Latex paint is used steadily in artwork, while latex is used more for painting properties and commercial structures.


Benefits Of Utilizing Latex Paint


Here are the primary advantages of utilizing latex paint:

It’s easier to apply latex paint to a surface and it dries a lot faster. As we said earlier, this is an advantage if your painting a small space like a bedroom or bathroom.

Latex is cheaper than acrylic paint.

Latex paint is simpler to clean up with just soap and water.

Latex paint is safer to use since it produces fewer fumes (still use proper air flow regardless of the type of paint you employ)

Latex paint often covers with fewer coats. Not sure how many coats to make use of? Make certain you read this article.

Benefits Of Utilizing Acrylic Paint


Here are the main advantages of utilizing acrylic paint:

The chemicals in acrylic paint cause it to have better elasticity. This means the paint will broaden and contract properly as temperatures fluctuate. This reduces the quantity of flaking and cracking. This makes it great for exterior painting projects.

Parlaying off the last level, acrylic paints are more durable and more expensive, however you get what you pay for, proper?

One other benefit of using acrylic paint in your exterior projects is their resistance to the sun. This places them a step above latex paints and miles ahead of oil-based paints.