Latex paint - features and application technology

Decorating the facade with paint is one of the most common methods. And the assortment of this finishing material and the rich color scheme allow you to choose exactly the paint that is best suited in a given situation. At the same time, all new species appear on the market, because progress and science do not stand still. In recent years, latex paint has been in great demand, although it actually has a very rich history, rooted deep in the past. This paint can also be used for facade decoration, although there are varieties used for painting indoor surfaces.

What are the features of this material for wall decoration and what subtleties are noted in the work?

Features of latex paints

Latex paint is not one of the new "inventions" that have recently appeared on the building materials market. It turns out that its history began many centuries ago - it is quite possible that it is even older than plaster. This paint was used to paint works of art in Ancient Egypt, and came into the construction industry only in the 19th century. Approximately in the middle of the twentieth century, it takes a leading position in the building materials market.

As you might guess, this paint contains a special binder - synthetic rubber or styrene-butadiene latex.

It also contains water. This type of paint is usually sold in fairly large containers and is white. How is it that this material can give the walls any shade?

It's all about special pigments , which are part of the colors. Usually, the dye is sold either in cans or in tubes, and in the required amount is added to the paint. But thanks to this, you can freely experiment with shades and choose the one that you like.

Attention! Depending on the amount of color, the color of the paint can be more or less intense, saturated. Color selection and tinting is best done using computer technology. Otherwise, it is very easy to make a mistake when touching up the next can of paint.

Acrylic and latex paints: differences and why they are confused

The difference between these two types of paint is primarily in the chemical composition. In acrylic, the binder is acrylic latex, in latex, oddly enough, butadiene-styrene.

Both are synthetic resins. Contrary to popular belief, natural rubber latex is not found in any of the paints.

Often these two types of paints equal and generally do it right - both have similar physical and performance properties. Both of them, during the drying process, form a protective elastic film on the coating. However, the strength characteristics of the final coating will be higher for acrylic paint, which is less afraid of water and the effects of various factors.

But at the same time, the honesty and responsibility of the manufacturer plays an important role. In general, the average consumer, most likely, will not even notice the difference between the two types of paints.

Facade paint for wood for outdoor works

As you know, wooden surfaces suffer from humidity, temperature extremes, fungi and insects. In order for the cladding to retain its presentable appearance for a long time, the surface must be processed. A properly selected coating will not only protect the wood from the adverse effects of the environment, but also highlight the natural beauty and uniqueness of the wood structure.

Read more here.

Advantages of latex paints

Latex paint would not be as popular without a number of benefits. Let's list the main ones - those that so attract consumers.

1. Latex paint is absolutely safe and non-toxic after drying. She recommended painting not only facades, but also living rooms, including children's bedrooms.

   Yes, and during operation, it does not emit a sharp and unpleasant odor.

2. The coating resulting from the application of this paint is characterized by resistance to external influences and durability, especially compared to other varieties. Service life is about 5 years.
3. The vapor permeability of the coating is good, which means that condensation will not accumulate under it - the paint "breathes".

   

   Latex paint has many advantages

4. The paint adheres to the facade perfectly - it has a high adhesion rate.

5. Since latex paint is not afraid of exposure to water, the painted walls can be safely washed in case of contamination. And the rains are not terrible for the coating either. However, it is not worth constantly washing and wetting the walls - the latex paint coating will begin to collapse from the intense exposure to moisture.
6. This paint is applied quite easily, while covering the walls well.
7. You can give the paint any shade you want.

8. The material is characterized by low consumption - for 1 m ² , only about 100-250 ml of paint is spent. Consumption strongly depends on the quality of the painted surface.

   

   Table of consumption of latex paint ("Caparol")

9. The price of latex paint is lower than that of oil enamels.
10. Finally, it dries very quickly (20-120 min), while, if necessary, it can be easily wiped off (for example, the tool used to carry out the work can be washed even in water). The full drying time is 4-6 hours at a temperature of about +20 degrees.

Disadvantages of latex paints

But latex paint has its drawbacks. It is important to familiarize yourself with them in order to make the right choice and decide whether it is really necessary to buy latex paint or is it better to purchase some other finishing material.

1. The paint will not cover all the irregularities, but will only make them more noticeable. That is why it is necessary to prepare the surface for painting very carefully - the wall should be perfectly flat. However, this also applies to other types of paints, too, to one degree or another.

2. Latex paint does not tolerate critically low temperatures, therefore it is not recommended to use it in the Far North.
3. The painted surface must be treated with antifungal agents, as various harmful microorganisms can settle on it.
4. Latex paint will not forgive the absence of a primer on the painted surface.

Prices for deep penetration primer

Deep penetration primer

However, it should be remembered that a largely successful result at the end of the work, it will be observed if all the requirements and coating technology are met.

Types of latex paints

Latex paints can be roughly divided into several categories according to the place of use and appearance.

For example, they are divided into materials for external and internal work. In the first case, components are usually added to the paint that will protect the surface from the formation of mold and foci of harmful microorganisms. The second option, as you might guess, is used to paint ceilings and walls inside the house.

In appearance, latex paint can be divided into three types - matte, glossy, semi-matte. The intensity of the gloss is influenced by the size of the fractions of the substances that make up the material - the larger they (fractions), the more matte the coating will be.

Table. Characteristics of all types of latex paint.

Also, latex paint is usually subdivided depending on the purpose. That is, they emit paint for the floor, walls, ceiling, facade, and so on.

And when applying the coating, it is better to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the area of ​​use of the material. Otherwise, the high quality of work and operational durability can not be expected.

Prices for different types of facade paints

Building facade paint

Application: subtleties and features

When working with latex paint, it is of great importance how the painting is done, how the paint is being prepared for use, and whether other requirements for working with the material are met. The successful painting of the facade, as well as the excellent performance declared by the manufacturer, often depends on this.

Latex paint can be applied on the following surfaces :

• brick;
• concrete;
• drywall;
• wood;
• plastered wall;
• wall covered with plaster-based filler.

Note! Metal surfaces can also be painted with latex paints, but this is undesirable, since the adhesion of the coating to the metal will be weak. It is better to use a paint designed specifically for painting metal.

The paint is based on water, and therefore, if necessary, the material should be diluted with pure (not technical ) water. In this case, the volumes should be as follows - 10-30% of the total mass of the finishing material. In this way, by the way, you can reduce paint consumption, although in general it is not necessary to dilute it.

Before adding water to the paint, you need to mix what is already in the jar. In this case, you should try to stir all the clots formed in the container during storage of the paint. And before working with diluted paint, it is important to let it brew for a few minutes.

It is also important to color the paint correctly. To do this, follow exactly the instructions on the pigment tube.

Moreover, the more color is added to the can, the richer the paint color is.

Advice! During tinting, it is advisable to regularly apply a little paint to the surface to be painted and evaluate the resulting result.The fact is that latex paints slightly change their shade after drying, therefore it is better to immediately check the color of the finished coating than to repaint the entire surface later. By the way, usually one layer of applied paint is enough, but it is still recommended to paint surfaces in two layers, especially when it comes to the facade.

Latex paint can be applied in any way - with a brush, roller, spray.

It all depends on the wishes and capabilities of the contractor. And the material is stored for about a year in a cool, but not cold place - such paint does not like frost and quickly loses its performance.

Prices for spray guns for paints

Spray gun

Choosing a paint for the facade

Choosing a latex paint for decorating the facade of a house, you should definitely pay attention to the following aspects: gloss level, the durability and moisture resistance of the final coating, as well as the thickness of the paint.

The degree of gloss can be determined by the marking:

• completely matte - CM;
• matte - M;
• semi-matte - PM;
• semi-gloss - PG;
• glossy - G;
• completely glossy - SG.

"Durability" and abrasion resistance are also marked by manufacturers.

For example, the instructions on the paint can will indicate the number of abrasion cycles (3000 is the minimum). And the higher the value, the stronger and more reliable the final coverage. If the manufacturer has designated the level of abrasion as a class, then class 1 will be considered the most durable. The higher the number, the worse the coating holds.

Painting surfaces with latex paint

The process of painting the facade of a house with latex paint is no different from applying other coloring compositions.

But let's take a closer look at the technology. For example, let's paint a wooden house.

Step 1. The first step is to prepare all the necessary tools that will be needed during the painting work. These are various brushes and extensions for them, rollers, a scraper, a gun with a sealant, film and paper.

Step 2. All horizontal surfaces along the walls should be covered with polyethylene or paper. This will help keep it clean.

Step 3. Protect downpipes and other elements from dripping paint will help the film, which glues all such surfaces.

Step 4. The surface must be prepared without fail.All loose paint is removed, the surface is sanded with sandpaper to a perfectly even state. Further, the surface is primed - wood cuts and the wall itself are processed. The photo shows how it is more convenient to process the ends of the boards.

Step 5. A brush extension is used to paint the top of the wall.

Step 6. The painting process begins in the roof area. Only after painting the upper part of the house should you go to the middle and lower parts of the facade.

Step 7. It is convenient to paint wooden boards with a brush of the same width. The paint is applied abundantly, but it is important to ensure that it lies flat.

Step 8. Use a curved brush to paint a surface that requires fine detailing.

Step 9. After the first coat has dried, it is best to apply a second coat of paint.

Painting a concrete wall is no different. In the same way, the surface is prepared, and then the paint is applied.

Video - Painting the facade of the house

Latex paint is a good option for finishing the facade of the building.

Although it is considered not the most durable coating, it will last for 5 years. But after this period, you can change the color of the house, which is also good. By the way, in order for the paint to last longer and the color to meet all the requirements, both the color scheme and the material itself must be purchased from one manufacturer.