Q& A service Your chance to ask the experts
Q
Whenever I buy paint to decorate a room, I’m bewildered by the different kinds and never know if I’ve bought the right one. What’s the difference between each type, and when or where should they be used?
A
Paints can be confusing, but it’s important to get the right one. Primer is used to seal and protect bare surfaces like wood and plaster. You can buy a combined primer/ undercoat but for outdoor items it’s worth applying a separate primer and undercoat to protect them. On fresh plaster, primer is normally an emulsion paint mixed with 10 per cent water – this soaks into new plaster, reducing its absorbency so new paint sticks to the wall.
An undercoat is used on a surface that’s been painted or primed. It evens out surfaces, provides protection and can block intense underlying colours from shining through the topcoat. For a pale paint colour, apply a pale undercoat, while a dark undercoat gives a dark topcoat a richer finish. Indoors it’s fine to use a combined primer/undercoat.
At one time gloss paints were oil-based and gave off noxious fumes; these days they’re waterbased, so not as durable but less smelly and faster drying. Typically used on woodwork, they have a high shine. It’s always better to use an undercoat before applying gloss.
Emulsion mostly refers to paint used for walls and ceilings. It’s water-based with vinyl or acrylic added for durability. It comes in a range of finishes: gloss, satin, eggshell, silk, flat matt or matt.
Matt and flat matt give a non-shiny, non-reflective finish. Eggshell is similar to matt paint for woodwork but has a subtle cracked effect. Silk paint has a slight sheen so is great in bathrooms or kitchens as it can be wiped down.
Clay and chalk paints don’t contain acrylics or oils so are more ecofriendly. They come in earthy and muted tones and have a matt finish. They’re more expensive than other paints as they’re not usually made by large high street retailers. These paints are great for a child’s bedroom where you may be worried about strong odours. Each company has its own method for using these paints so follow their guidelines to ensure a good, durable result.