Oil vs. Latex Paints - What You Should Know

Painting serves as the number one Improvement project, which gives you an ample opportunity to change the appearance or look of a room. These painting processes often utilize oil-based or latex paints which come with certain advantages and disadvantages. 

Oil and Latex Paint Comparison

​Oil and Latex Paints Compared
When undertaking a paint project, most people are faced with the challenge of deciding to use either oil or latex paints. These paint types come with their unique mode of application, cost, the purpose of painting the surface, pros and cons.

Oil based paint has long been the go to over the decades. It's tough finish, the way it "lays down" for a sleek and durable finish has allowed it to be a favorite with old school painters. It's hard to beat the results with oil when applied by a seasoned professional.

Latex acrylic has come along way over the years. With it's ease of use, simple clean up and cost effectiveness, it has become much more popular nowadays. Many paint manufactures have implemented such research and development towards the acrylic paint sector, it's hard to find many reasons not to use it.

Oil and Latex Paint Differences

​Explore Oil Based Paint
When you are interested in maintaining a interior room feel or appearance for a long time, then oil-based paints are your best bet on trim and moldings. They take a longer time to dry and can be cleaned with paint thinner or turpentine as the case may be.

​Since they are made from natural (linseed), or alkyd oils, they are a bit more expensive, but tougher. Oil-based paints are very important on trim work and can withstand more abuse than acrylic paints overall. Most old school painters will choose oil on interior trim and doors for a quality job.

Please note, with today's technology, oil is not not as durable as acrylic paint outside and are best applied on interior surfaces. Latex acrylic may weather better in areas like Jacksonville, Florida where the UV index is quite high.

​Explore Acrylic Based Paint
In todays modern world, latex paints serve as the most preferred choice of paints. When simplicity and speed are required, latex is the clear choice. It dries fast and is easy for the novice to apply. So many choices and unique characteristics are available with latex acrylic based products, the choices are endless. 

Many commercial painters find that, latex acrylic based paint has much less impact on the environment than oil based products. Also, they have better color retention and wear qualities than oil when used outside in Jacksonville's extreme heat.

​Keep in mind, latex is not as durable as oil-based paints on interior trim/doors and are best suited for painting ceilings and walls on interior projects.

​Both acrylic and oil paints have their strong points. WHERE you use them will be an important factor with your painting results. You can contact our team of experts for guidance on how to choose the best commercial building paint that suits your surfaces and overall design. We will be glad to help from you. 

When choosing the best paint for the home, be sure to see this info.