Interior House and Wall Paint FAQs

1. How is interior paint different from exterior paint?

Interior paint and exterior paint are formulated differently to meet the specific demands of their environments.

Interior paint is made to be safe for indoor use, with lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to ensure it doesn't affect indoor air quality. It's designed for easy cleaning and resistance to everyday wear and tear, perfect for decorating and protecting walls inside your home. For example, Dulux EasyCare is an excellent choice for interior paint, offering high coverage and colour durability. It’s Tough Mineral Technology makes it washable without damaging the paint, ensuring your walls stay beautiful for longer.

Exterior paint, on the other hand, is created to withstand the harsh outdoor elements. It's tougher, formulated to resist weather conditions like rain, sun, and temperature changes, and to protect against fading, mildew, and water damage.

2. Which are the best types of interior paint available?

When it comes to choosing the best types of interior paint, there are several options that cater to different needs and preferences. The best choice for your project depends on the room you're painting, the finish you desire, and the durability you need.

• Emulsion Paint: This water-based interior paint is popular for its ease of application and quick drying time. It's perfect for walls and ceilings, offering a smooth, matte finish that can hide imperfections. Dulux offers a perfect emulsion paint, Dulux Light & Space interior emulsion paint, that uses "Lumitec" technology to reflect more light, making rooms feel more spacious and vibrant with its stylish velvet finish.
  
  
• Eggshell and Satin Paint: These types offer a slight sheen, making them more durable and easier to clean than matte paint. They're great for high-traffic areas like hallways and kids' rooms.
  
  
• Semi-Gloss and Gloss Paint: Known for their high durability and shine, these paints are ideal for trim, doors, and areas that require frequent cleaning. They reflect light well, adding brightness to a space.
  
  
• Speciality Paints: There are paints designed for specific purposes, such as bathroom and kitchen paints that resist moisture and mould, or chalkboard paints for creating writable surfaces.

3. How long one should wait between two coats of paint?

Generally, it's recommended to wait about 2 to 4 hours for the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. However, this can vary based on the type of paint you're using and the conditions in your space, like humidity and temperature.

For water-based paints, the drying time is usually shorter, and you might be ready to apply a second coat in as little as 2 hours. For example, both Dulux EasyCare and Dulux Light & Space require just 1-2 hours before recoating, making your painting project quicker and more efficient. For oil-based paints, it's best to wait longer, typically around 6 to 8 hours, because they take more time to dry.

Always check the paint can for the manufacturer's recommended drying times, as some paints might have specific requirements. And remember, applying a second coat too soon can result in smudges or an uneven finish while waiting too long might make it harder for the second coat to adhere properly.

4. What are the different types of paint finishes?

Here are the different types of paint finishes you should know about:

• Matt Finish: This finish is known for its non-reflective, smooth appearance, making it perfect for hiding imperfections on walls and ceilings. It provides a classic, elegant look that's ideal for living rooms and bedrooms. Dulux EasyCare is a great example of a matt finish paint, offering the added benefits of being easy to clean and durable against common household stains, making it a practical choice for busy homes.
  
  
• Eggshell Finish: Eggshell has a soft sheen, similar to the surface of an eggshell, hence the name. It's slightly more durable than matt finish and is easy to clean, making it suitable for areas with medium traffic like dining rooms.
  
  
• Satin Finish: Satin paint has a silky, pearl-like sheen, making it more reflective than eggshell. This finish is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas because it stands up well to cleaning and offers a moderate level of durability.
  
  
• Semi-Gloss Finish: Known for its radiant sheen, semi-gloss is highly durable and easy to clean, which is why it's often used for trim, doors, and areas that experience moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.
  
  
• Gloss Finish: Gloss paint is the most reflective finish, offering a shiny, mirror-like effect. It's the most durable and easiest to clean of all paint finishes, perfect for surfaces that need to withstand a lot of wear and tear.

5. When applying the interior paint, the resultant wall colour will be lighter or darker than the colour?

When you apply interior paint, the final wall colour can sometimes appear lighter or darker than the sample you initially chose. This difference can be due to various factors such as the lighting in your room, the paint's finish, and the colour of the primer used underneath.

Lighting plays an important role; natural light can make wall colours appear lighter, while artificial lighting may influence the colour to seem darker or slightly different in hue. The finish of the paint also affects the appearance; for example, a gloss finish can make colours look deeper, whereas a matt finish might make them appear softer.

It's also worth mentioning that if you're painting over a darker or brighter colour, the base colour may influence the final appearance, making it necessary to use a suitable primer. A primer not only helps in achieving the true shade of the interior paint but also ensures an even and smoother application.

To avoid surprises and ensure you're happy with the final wall colour, Dulux offers the Preview Service. This handy tool lets you visualize how different colours will look in your space, taking the guesswork out of choosing the right wall colour. Just snap a photo of your room, preview the colour options, and then paint, making it easier to achieve the perfect finish with your interior paint.