Latex Vs. Latex Enamel

Background

• Despite the name, most latex paints don't contain any latex rubber. Therefore, people with allergies to latex rubber have nothing to fear from it. Acrylic-based latex paint is made of a formulated polyvinyl material that contains acrylic resin, not latex rubber. Latex paint also contains pigment -- to provide color -- and water as a solvent to emulsify the other ingredients into a liquid form. The acrylic resin serves as a binder to hold the pigment particles in suspension.

Types

• Latex paint comes in a variety of types, classified according to their appearance when dry. They include flat, satin, gloss and enamel finishes. Some types are better suited for certain uses than others. When decorating a room, homeowners might use different types of latex paint for the ceiling, walls, cabinets, doors and the woodwork trim bordering the baseboards, doorways or windows.

Latex

• A flat latex paint doesn't produce shine, also known as sheen. It works well for ceilings or for walls with irregular surfaces because it reduces glare. However, flat paints don't stand frequent washing. Therefore, a satin or eggshell latex paint with a low sheen is better suited for use on most walls because it's more washable. Semi-gloss latex paints have a higher sheen than the satin finish, which make this paint suitable for areas that get very dirty because they're touched more frequently, such as doors, windows and other woodwork in a room.

Latex Enamel

• Latex enamel paint has the highest sheen of all. It provides a durable and resilient finish that can last for years because it has superior quality to adhere to surfaces. Those qualities make it very easy to clean. Along with regular latex enamel paint, there are also high-gloss latex enamel paints available. Many people like to use either of those enamel finishes in areas that require more resistance to moisture, such as kitchens or bathrooms.