As a DIY homeowner, you’ll be faced with a lot of decisions during your house painting project.
For example:
What color?
What finish?
What brand of paint?
Another question you’ll need to answer is, “Between acrylic vs. latex paint, which one should I use?
Right now, there are three types of paints on the market. They are oil, acrylic, and latex-based paints. Oil-based paints have since faded out over the last 15 years, leaving the main options like acrylic and latex.
Each one has advantages and disadvantages and is best used for certain projects. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of time, make your project run smoother, and allow you to focus on choosing the right color for your project instead of worrying about paint types.
What Is Acrylic Paint?
Acrylic paint is made of pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer solution and acrylic resin. They are chemical-based meaning they become water-resistant when they dry. Right now, acrylic paints are the most popular.
Acrylic paint dries extremely quickly. This may be an advantage if you’re painting a smaller area, but this will make painting larger areas more difficult. It does not mix well with oil-based paints and won’t adhere to a wall previously painted with oil paint.
Best For: Acrylic paint is frequently recommended for small, detailed furniture pieces like bookshelves due to its durable finish and ability to resist scratches.
Is Acrylic Paint Oil-Based?
No, acrylic paint is not oil-based. It is a water-based paint with pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion (water-based binder). When the water evaporates, the acrylic resin particles fuse, creating a durable paint film. Unlike oil paints that use vegetable oils as a vehicle, acrylic paints use water, which allows them to dry quickly and be easily cleaned with soap and water.
Can I Paint Latex Over Acrylic?
No, you should not paint latex over acrylic. In fact, painting latex over acrylic can cause significant adhesion problems. If you must use latex on a surface previously painted with acrylic, you'll need to take special precautions.
Key Considerations:
Painting latex directly over acrylic can lead to poor adhesion
If you must use latex over acrylic, use 100% acrylic latex paint
Sanding the surface prior to painting is recommended, especially if the surface is glossy. We sometimes use a "sand and sealer" first when working with certain surfaces before applying either acrylic or latex paint to enhance durability.
Here’s How We Do It:
Thoroughly prepare the surface by sanding to create better adhesion
Use 100% acrylic latex paint
Ensure the surface is clean and properly primed before applying the new paint
What Is Latex Paint?
Latex is a water-based paint. Similar to acrylic paint, it is made from acrylic resin. Unlike acrylic, it’s recommended to use latex paint when painting larger areas. Not because it dries slower, but because it’s usually purchased in larger quantities.
Best For: Latex paint is best for interior walls and ceilings, offering smooth coverage and a quick drying time that makes it ideal for large projects in well-ventilated spaces.
Is Latex Paint Water-Based?
Yes, latex paint is water-based. Despite its name, modern latex paint does not contain actual latex rubber. Instead, it uses acrylic resins or vinyl as binders suspended in water. The term "latex" has become a generic label for water-based paints. Latex paint is easy to clean up with soap and water, dries quickly, and emits fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to oil-based paints.
It's widely used for both interior and exterior painting due to its durability, color retention, and resistance to mildew. Latex paint is often preferred for its eco-friendly properties and ease of application.
Difference Between Acrylic And Latex Paint
The main difference between the two paints is that acrylic paint is chemical-based and latex paint is water-based. Because it’s chemical-based, the chemicals in acrylic paint make it more elastic than latex paint.
What does that mean?
The acrylic paint will contract and expand better than latex paint.
Since Latex paint is water-based, it’s easier to clean up with just soap and water. Acrylic paint needs paint thinners since it’s chemical-based. It’s chemical composition also requires extra care when handling. You’ll want to assure your using proper ventilation since acrylic paint can produce dangerous fumes.
Latex paint is used frequently in artwork, while latex is used more for painting homes and commercial structures.
Benefits Of Using Latex Paint
Here are the main advantages of using latex paint:
It’s easier to apply latex paint to a surface and it dries a lot faster. As we said earlier, this is an advantage if your painting a small area like a bedroom or bathroom.
Latex is cheaper than acrylic paint.
Latex paint is easier to clean up with just soap and water.
Latex paint is safer to use since it produces fewer fumes (still use proper ventilation regardless of the type of paint you use)
Latex paint usually covers with fewer coats. Not sure how many coats to use? Make sure you read this article.
Benefits Of Using Acrylic Paint
Here are the main advantages of using acrylic paint:
The chemicals in acrylic paint cause it to have greater elasticity. This means the paint will expand and contract properly as temperatures fluctuate. This reduces the amount of flaking and cracking. This makes it great for exterior painting projects.
Parlaying off the last point, acrylic paints are more durable and more expensive, but you get what you pay for, right?
Another benefit of using acrylic paint in your exterior projects is their resistance to the sun. This puts them a step above latex paints and miles ahead of oil-based paints.
Sherwin Williams makes a moisture-resistant acrylic paint that's great for exteriors. Vapor-impermeable exterior paint is ideal for climates with extreme weather, especially heavy rainfall. Remember that most exterior paint is not impermeable. You need to pick products explicitly labeled for high-moisture resistance.
Which Paint Is More Eco-Friendly (Acrylic Vs Latex)
Latex paint typically contains lower levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) than acrylic paint. This makes latex paint a safer option for indoor use, especially in areas with poor ventilation. Lower VOC levels contribute to better indoor air quality and reduce potential health risks associated with paint fumes.
Latex paint is often considered more environmentally friendly due to its water-based composition. This characteristic makes it easier to clean up without harsh chemicals and less harmful to the environment during disposal. Additionally, many latex paint brands now offer recyclable paint cans and more sustainable packaging options.
While acrylic paint is generally more durable, especially for outdoor use, latex paint still offers a reasonable lifespan of 2 to 10 years. The longer a paint lasts, the less frequently it needs to be replaced, which can reduce overall environmental impact.
Latex paint is easier to dispose of and clean up compared to acrylic paint. It can be cleaned with water, reducing the need for harsh solvents that can harm the environment.