The type of paint you choose plays a crucial role in how your house looks. Acrylic and latex paint are two popular choices, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, let’s discuss the differences between them and when to use each.
Differences Between Acrylic and Latex Paint
| Characteristics | Acrylic Paint | Latex Paint |
| Composition | Acrylic polymer pigment | Water-soluble pigment |
| VOCs | Slightly higher | Low |
| Odor | Slightly higher | Low |
| Drying time | 30 minutes | 3 hours |
| Application surfaces | Adheres well to concrete, wood, and metal | Adheres well to plaster wall and drywall |
| Shelf life | 15 years | 10 years |
| Durability | Highly durable | Less durable |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Price | Expensive | More affordable |
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a water-based paint formulated by suspending pigments in an acrylic polymer emulsion with an acrylic resin binder. It’s durable and resists UV rays, which makes the paint ideal for both interior and exterior projects. Acrylic paint dries fast and adheres well to different surfaces.
Acrylic paint contains low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emits little odor. It’s also easy to clean. Acrylic paint comes in flat (or matte), eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes. It costs between $20 and $65 per gallon.
Note: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of organic chemicals that evaporate into the air at room temperature. They contribute to air pollution and may irritate your eyes, nose, and throat or cause headaches or dizziness.
Advantages of acrylic paint:
- Easy to clean: Soap and water are all you need to remove acrylic paint from paint brushes, rollers, and other tools. You don’t need to use solvents like paint thinner.
- Dries quickly: Acrylic paint dries quickly in 30 minutes, while latex paint takes 3 hours.
- Versatile: With proper preparation, you can use acrylic paint on concrete, wood, and metal. It adheres well and provides a strong, durable finish.
- Longer shelf life: Acrylic paint can last up to 15 years in a sealed container.
- Durable: Acrylic paint is slightly more durable than latex paint.
- Flexible: Acrylic paint is flexible and doesn’t crack easily with temperature changes.
Disadvantages of acrylic paint:
- Difficult to apply: As acrylic paint is thicker, it requires a bit more effort to apply.
- Color shift: Acrylic paint will change to a slightly darker color as it dries.
- Expensive: Acrylic paint costs more than latex paint.
Latex Paint
Latex paint is water-based and uses acrylic resin as the binder. The pigments are suspended in water instead of chemicals, which is the main difference between latex and acrylic paint. It dries fast and adheres well but isn’t as durable as acrylic paint.
Latex paint contains lower VOCs than acrylic paint and emits a milder odor. It’s easier to clean and comes in various finishes, such as flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Latex paint costs $20 to $60 per gallon.
Advantages of latex paint:
- Eco-friendly: Latex paint contains little to no VOCs and is more environmentally friendly than acrylic paint.
- Low odor: Since latex paint has lower VOCs, it emits a milder odor than acrylic paint.
- Easy to clean: Soap and water are all you need to remove latex paint from paint brushes and rollers.
- Costs less: Latex paint costs slightly less than acrylic paint as it’s easier to produce.
Disadvantages of latex paint:
- Longer drying time: Latex paint can take up to 3 hours to dry, which is much longer than acrylic paint.
- Less durable: Latex paint isn’t as durable as acrylic paint, especially for exterior painting.
- Less shelf life: Latex paint lasts 10 years in a sealed container, while acrylic paint lasts 15 years.
- Less flexibility: Latex paint isn’t as flexible as acrylic paint and may crack with temperature changes.
When To Use Acrylic vs. Latex Paint
Here’s how you can choose between acrylic and latex paint.
Interior Walls and Ceilings
Latex paint is an excellent choice for painting interior walls and ceilings as it contains low VOCs, emits little odor, and is easy to clean. It dries quickly, provides good coverage, and comes in various colors.
Furniture, Cabinets, and Doors
Acrylic paint is ideal for painting furniture, cabinets, doors, and woodwork trim. It dries quickly and offers a smooth finish. Acrylic paint comes in various finishes, from flat and eggshell to satin and gloss.
Exterior Painting
Acrylic paint resists moisture and UV rays better than latex paint, making it a better choice for exterior surfaces. It’s also more flexible and won’t crack or peel easily with temperature changes.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Acrylic paint is better for painting kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas as it’s more durable. It resists moisture better and is less prone to mildew.
Metal Surfaces
Acrylic paint adheres well to metal surfaces. However, make sure to prime the surface to prevent rust.
DIY Projects
Latex paint is an excellent choice for DIY interior paint jobs. It’s affordable, dries quickly, and easy to clean. It also emits little odor and adheres well to walls.
FAQs
Is priming necessary for both acrylic and latex paints?
Priming is optional, but it has various benefits. Here are some reasons to prime before painting:
- Improves paint adhesion
- Increases surface durability
- Hides surface imperfections
- Enhances paint finish
- Improves paint coverage
Can I use acrylic paint over latex paint?
Yes. However, make sure to prime the surface for proper adhesion and to get the finish you expect.
Is acrylic paint waterproof?
Acrylic paint is water-resistant but not waterproof (check out our waterproof paint guide for more information).
How can I dispose of latex and acrylic paint?
You can dispose of empty latex and acrylic paint cans in regular garbage. If there’s leftover paint, let it dry in an open area before disposing.
DIY or Hire a Pro for House Painting?
Painting a room is fun, but painting the entire house isn’t. It’s messy and time-consuming. If you need help to paint your house, get in touch with Paint Gnome. We connect you with the best painting pros near you who can help you with the entire painting project, from choosing the right paint to applying it to clean up.
Main Image Credit:
Acrylic Paint: Roman Budnyi / Canva Pro / License
Latex Paint: zhangxiaomin / Canva Pro / License
