{"id":1333,"date":"2021-07-01T14:55:58","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T19:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/twomakeahome.com\/?p=1333"},"modified":"2021-07-08T06:19:35","modified_gmt":"2021-07-08T11:19:35","slug":"what-is-latex-paint-used-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/twomakeahome.com\/what-is-latex-paint-used-for\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Latex Paint Used For?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Walking into Home Depot and Lowe\u2019s as a homeowner is an exciting task. Home improvement and renovation ideas run through your mind at warp speed, but your wallet says you need to stick with an inexpensive project. Enter the painting department.<\/p>\n

Walking down the paint aisle, you\u2019ll see many colors and finishes. But what\u2019s with the paint types? Is latex the best type? How do you use latex paint<\/a> and clean up afterward? Latex is the most commonly used paint composition in homes because it can be used on a variety of surfaces, from furniture to walls.<\/p>\n

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There are many surfaces in the home that can be painted (and some you may never have thought to paint \u2013 looking at you shower curtain). Can latex paint really work on all of these surfaces? Why does it work so well for certain items? And what is the best process for tackling these projects?<\/p>\n

Latex Paint<\/h2>\n

There are three types of paint on the market that are used in home renovation: acrylic, latex, and oil-based. Each of these have their own pros and cons. Most often, latex is the recommended paint for large jobs. This typically means using it on room walls<\/a>, since this covers a large expanse.<\/p>\n

Latex paint was originally made from a rubber polymer in the chemical makeup, giving it the name. However, today\u2019s latex paint has been manipulated to remove the rubber and use some safer ingredients to establish a non-hazardous paint. Today, latex paint uses a water-based makeup, which allows it to be more flexible, easier to clean up, and lower in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) than its counterpart paints. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is always seeking to change regulations to make these chemicals safer for the environment and people who use it (remember lead-based paint?).<\/p>\n

Latex paint can be used on most surfaces, from countertops to wooden furniture. It is suggested that you never use paint on raw woods, as it can swell and damage the wood grain. If using paint on highly trafficked areas, like a floor or countertop, it should be a very short-term solution, since it will wear away quickly when continuously rubbed and scratched. If you want to work with fabrics, select a fabric paint instead of latex.<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s easy to question why latex paint<\/a> might be better, but let\u2019s look at the track record for why this is a better paint to use when painting your kitchen.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/h3>\n