In managing construction projects, paint is an essential material that is always present in the Bill of Materials of a contractor. In the U.S alone, 1.57 billion gallons of paint are sold per year. The painting industry has entered the American Market during the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, which now turned into a multi-billion industry with still increasing statistics.
Structures are distinguished by their unique designs, especially in interior and exterior aspects where the color is the highlight. Paint can turn a dull room warmer, an old building more appealing, and help alleviate the person’s mood. Moreover, it also protects structural members and architectural components of a building from the adverse impact of atmospheric pressure, keeps surfaces clean and safe, and gives off an attractive look on any surfaces.
This construction material ranges from various colors, types, brands, and application processes, and as the industry progresses, the options are available in the market started to expand as well. With this wide-array of paint selections you can choose from, it can be a little challenging to find the best one you can use for a particular surface according to the project specification.
In today’s blog, we’ll dive into the importance of painting in project management for construction, characteristics of an ideal paint, types of wall paints and finishes, and different base paint types. We will help you pick the best one for your next construction projects, varying for every room and surface.
What Are Characteristics of an Ideal Paint for Construction?
Paint, being a popular construction material, has also attracted businesses and companies to invest in it. However, with the growing demand comes to the decline of the quality as well. Below is a list of the characteristics of an ideal paint that should be part of your checklist when browsing the hardware store or choosing the best candidate for a painting subcontractor for your project:
- Must be easy to apply,
- Must have a reasonable price,
- Must be dried in a reasonable timeframe,
- Must form a durable and hard coat,
- Can form a thin coat without cracking,
- – Must have an excellent spreading component and can be freely applied,
- User must not experience any health problems when handling the product,
- And should not trigger a change of the surface’s properties, regardless of atmosphere changing conditions.
It is worth taking note to make sure that you conduct proper training to your team regarding the information discussed today to have a productive construction crew management system where everyone is on the same page in terms of knowledge, with painting trade as the highlight.
What Are the Best Sheens for Different Rooms?
Before diving into the different paints and base types, let’s have a quick look at the best paint sheen or finish to apply in a particular room.
a. Kitchen and Bathrooms – Semi-Gloss
b. Bedrooms, Hallways, Dining Room – Satin
c. Ceilings – Flat Finish
d. Decorative Areas – Eggshell
e. Wood Surfaces – High-Gloss
10 Interior and Exterior Paints
1. Primer
Before you proceed with painting any surfaces, applying primer is a must. Generally, primer paint is a preliminary coating layer applied to a material to ensure proper adhesion to surfaces. Additionally, it also enhances the paint’s durability and provides extra safety to surfaces being painted on.
2. Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paints, sometimes called solvent-based paints, are your best option if you’re looking for a durable and reliable finish for your building surfaces. With its typically reasonable price, it is the type you will usually see in any building. Among its best features is being long-lasting and can stand the test of time without showing any wear and tear signs. If you have already chosen the type of color you want to paint on your walls, you can use oil-based paint as a final coat for extra protection and shine. It’s also recommended to use trims for a more vibrant feel.
The only downside of oil-based paint is it doesn’t dry as quickly, unlike the other options. It would usually take hours to dry, leading to minor inconveniences and possible delays in your project completion schedule if not adequately considered.
3. Water-Based Paint
Water-based paints, which are also popularly known as latex paints, consist of binder and pigment with water used as carriers. Apart from being the most common paint option, it is also the most environmentally possible. Water-based paints provide good color retention over time, faster drying capability, and produce fewer odors of any toxic fumes.
This type of paint is recommended for exterior walls exposed to atmospheric elements and interior walls exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and mudrooms. Additionally, it is also easy to clean up with just the use of soap and water. However, compared to oil-based paint, this type is a lot more costly. They’re also less durable than the former option, compensated by their environment and user-friendly nature.
4. Flat Paint
The flat paint, also known as matte paint, has the least amount of shine compared to the other types of paints in this list. However, they provide the most coverage of any other paints and require coats to cover imperfections like nail holes, minor wall cracks, and water leak marks. While they are great for coverage, they’re less durable than other options and will be damaged if treated with cleaner solutions. In this case, Flat Paint is used in low-traffic areas, like dining areas and surfaces that will not be touched as much, such as ceilings.
One of the best features of flat paints is its affordability, making it one of the few good choices to have if you are on a budget and cost management-friendly for your business.
5. Eggshell Paint
Eggshell finishes are a trendy paint finish that is slightly more lustrous sheen than flat paint with the delicate low sheen of an eggshell. This type is still able to cover surface imperfections and more durable than flat paint. Eggshell paints are best applied in places with low to medium traffic, like hallways, living rooms, foyers, and entryways.
Eggshell paints are easy to clean as well. Given its just the right amount of gloss, you will be able to easily wash with a wet cloth when cleaning different surfaces such as walls and ceilings.
6. Satin Paint
The satin paint finish is the most prevalent interior paint finish in the construction industry. It possesses a velvety sheen than flat and eggshell paint. This slightly glossy paint is somewhat still flat enough to suit most people’s needs. Satin finish will work well for any areas in your home, but it is best for areas with high-traffic areas, such as family rooms, playrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even the kitchen.
However, you must be aware that satin finish is more opt to reveal brush strokes, making paint touch-ups tricky down the line.
7. Semi-Gloss Paint
Semi-gloss paint is a high-quality paint that gives off a shiny and reflective output. Among its best features is mildew-resistant and extreme durability, making it best used for rooms that get a lot of wear and tear, such as a bathroom, kitchen, and kid’s room. Semi-gloss paint is also best for paint trims and corner surfaces.
With its glossier finish, it is more susceptible to show imperfections more than the less shiner variety. The light will bounce off of walls, making flaws easier to spot due to its reflective components.
8. High-Gloss Paint
Like its name, high-gloss paint is the glossiest and shiniest finish in the bunch. Consequently, it is also the most durable and washable to handle frequent cleaning and scrubbing. This paint finish is commonly applied on cabinets, doors, fireplace, trims, and outdoor detail such as window shutters. However, you must know that the preparation work is critical for this type of paint, for it can show surface imperfections when misapplied.
9. Spray Paint
Spray paint is most typically used for arts and crafts purposes but can also be incorporated in huge projects in construction. It is most commonly used for furniture and walls that need to be painted in a limited time frame. It is a cost-effective method that allows many projects to run more smoothly, with different varieties always available on any hardware store near your project.
However, spray paint can be quite noxious and can’t be used in enclosed spaces. Masks are a must for people using spray paint to protect themselves from the fumes it might give off.
10. Enamel Paint
Last on the list is the enamel paint, which is something you should be aware of if you’re looking for a rugged finish for your surfaces. Enamel paint is straightforward to use and is relatively tough to withstand any elements without being chemically affected. Additionally, you don’t have to use a primer prior to application and sand anything down that can wind up saving you a lot of time and money.
