How to choose your material: Oil-based paint vs water-based paint

Given the vast sea of information out there on the internet, this is probably not the first article you've read about comparing oil-based paint and water-based paint.

If you have indeed done quite a bit of research on the two materials, you should know a few things about them.

For example, how one releases VOCs (volatile organic compounds) during the curing process while the other does much less harm to your health. Or how one scratches more easily than the other.

You might also be wondering if these articles are actively persuading you to choose one over the other for various business-related reasons.

But really, choosing your material is more about choosing the appropriate material for your specific purpose rather than the 'best' material out there.

Today, we're going to break down the specific traits and usage of oil-based paint and water-base paint. Choose your weapon wisely.

OIL-BASED PAINT

Five decades ago, almost all paint used in architecture was oil-based. And then the concern over carcinogenic VOCs encouraged manufacturers to make water-based paint with better quality and performance. It is said that water-based paint nowadays is so well-developed that it is beginning to replace oil-based paint.

But the fact that oil-based paint is still in use suggests that it does have an edge over its counterpart. Oil-based paint tends to give a smoother, more high-gloss finish. It is more resistant to wear, high temperature and humidity.

Indeed, some circumstances do call for the use of oil-based paint:

1. Baseboards

Oil-based paint's durability makes it more likely to withstand scrapes and dings from the vacuum cleaner.

2. Window frames

When opening and closing the windows, oil-based paint is less likely to cause the frames to stick together.

3. Trim

The smooth, high-gloss finish of oil-based paint serves well to accentuate the interior and exterior which might be bland otherwise.

While using oil-based paint in the interior is generally not encouraged, there are instances where using it for the interior has more advantages than disadvantages. A good rule of thumb is never use it for large surfaces like walls.

WATER-BASED PAINT

The main difference between water-based paint and its counterpart is that water-based paint uses acrylic and latex to binder pigments and water. It gives off less to virtually no VOCs. Acrylic polymers as a binder also make the coating more flexible, thus less likely to crack compared with oil-based paint.

Water-based paint has a full range of colour options and shorter curing time, which makes it an excellent choice for larger interior surfaces. It is also more resistant to colour fade due to its UV durability.

Best uses of water-based paint:

1. Interior walls

Water-based paint is great for large interior surface because of its cleaner characteristic. It does not smell as much, and dries more rapidly than oil-based paint. Renovation using water-based paint causes less disruption to your daily life, and less harm to your health.

2. Masonry