Emulsion paint: the universal wall paint
Emulsion paint is another term for wall or ceiling paint. Ultimately, they all mean the same thing. If you want to give your interior rooms a new coat of paint, use white or pigment-tinted emulsion paints. They consist of binders, water as well as fillers and additives. The advantages of these wall paints for renovating your living spaces lie in their high opacity, good adhesion, wipe resistance, fast drying and easy application. Environmentally friendly variants of emulsion paint are free from solvents and plasticizers, which you can recognize by their neutral odor. Natural or synthetic resins are used as binders. To make sure you’re well informed for your next project, we’ll tell you below everything you need to know about emulsion paint.
Emulsion paint, latex paint, mineral paint: what’s the difference?
Different emulsion paints are suitable for different substrates. This is mainly because surfaces in rooms are exposed to different levels of wear. A surface in a stairwell or hallway is subjected to more stress than in other rooms, while bathrooms have high humidity. This creates a risk of mould. The walls in living rooms or bedrooms, on the other hand, are relatively uncomplicated when it comes to painting.Properties of emulsion paint
Emulsion paint includes wall paints, tinting paints and silicate paints. These coatings are usually thick but can be easily thinned with water. Emulsion paint is particularly versatile and offers a wide range of design options.
The paint consists of synthetic resin as a binder, water as a solvent, colour pigments for the shade, fillers to improve opacity and consistency, and various additives such as preservatives and thickeners that improve the durability and workability of the paint.
Synthetic resin emulsion paint impresses with its high opacity, good adhesion to walls, wet abrasion resistance, breathability and the wide variety of colours available. Our BAUFIX Maler-Raumweiß for example, has a silk matt sheen and is available as a solvent-free variant that is free from preservatives.
Durability of emulsion paints
Unopened paint should be stored for a maximum of 5 years. Once opened, it’s best to use it within 12 months. After use, make sure the container is sealed airtight and, if possible, store it upside down. This increases the shelf life and allows you to reuse the paint for repainting. Anyone who knows the smell of spoiled paint won’t wait too long before starting their next renovation.
FAQ
Emulsion and silicate paints differ mainly in their composition and properties. Silicate paint uses potassium water glass as a binder, making it very durable and highly breathable, which prevents mold growth. It is ideal for mineral substrates such as plaster and concrete. Emulsion paint, on the other hand, uses synthetic resin as a binder, is easy to apply, flexible and adheres to many substrates, but is less breathable than silicate paint. Emulsion paint is versatile and widely used for both interior and exterior painting.
Which wall paint should I use for which room?
You can make use of the different properties of paints in different rooms. This way, substrates and plaster not only get a fresh or new look, but also a functional interior coating. Below we present the best coatings for various interior areas for you as a DIYer.
Hallways, stairwells and high-traffic areas
Stressed surfaces should be painted with latex paint. These include hallways, stairwells and children’s rooms. This coating is particularly hard-wearing, water-repellent and resistant to dirt. Ingredients such as binders and additives make latex paint robust. Our BAUFIX Ultra Topcoat, for example, is solvent-free.
Zinc sheets
Walls and ceilings in interior spaces are painted with classic interior emulsion paint. In addition to its high opacity, the substrate remains breathable and the fast-drying properties allow for quick renovation – a plus for all rooms that need to be finished in a short time. This healthy-for-living paint adheres without priming to almost all substrates such as plaster, plasterboard, woodchip wallpaper, masonry, old coatings and concrete. Thanks to the many colour shades that can be created by adding colour pigments, you can paint your walls entirely to suit your personal taste.
Bathroom and kitchen
Bathrooms and kitchens tend to have high humidity. Mold quickly forms on the walls. In addition to proper ventilation, it makes sense to use a special kitchen and bathroom paint or a silicate paint. Thanks to the silicates, these paints can neutralize the acidity of the walls and thus protect against mold. Here too, you can choose from different color shades when renovating.
Outdoors
For façades and exterior walls you should always use special façade paints, stains or varnishes. The main aim here is to make substrates weather- and UV-resistant. Suitable options include emulsion paints with synthetic resin or silicone reinforcement for increased protection. Thanks to their ingredients, these can of course also be just as colorful.
How can you tell if a paint is good quality?
You can recognise good-quality interior paint by its high opacity, optimal wet abrasion class and intense colour brilliance. A high-quality paint has a high pigment content, which ensures strong coverage and colour intensity. It should be neither too thick nor too thin to guarantee easy application and good adhesion. Good paint hardly drips, adheres well to different substrates, is low-yellowing, healthy for living spaces, low-odour, highly opaque and abrasion-resistant, making it durable and easy to clean. It is also water vapour permeable, allowing the walls to “breathe” and preventing mould growth. Longevity and environmental friendliness are also important features, achieved by the absence of harmful solvents and low emissions. Quality characteristics are often listed on the paint label; if they are missing, the paint is usually of inferior quality.
Emulsion paint: matt, silk matt or glossy finish?
Emulsion paint is available in matt, silk matt and gloss finishes. The level of gloss affects not only the appearance but also the durability of the paint. Matt paints hide small imperfections well but are the least durable. Silk matt paints have a slight sheen, are more resistant and suitable for damp rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms. High-gloss wall paints are very hard-wearing and easy to clean, making them suitable for children’s rooms and commercial spaces, but they show flaws quickly and require regular maintenance.
What does scrub resistance mean?
Paints are divided into wet abrasion classes, which indicate how hard-wearing and robust a paint is. Class 1 is the most resistant and can easily be scrubbed with water, while class 5 is hardly resistant at all, so thorough cleaning should be avoided. Paint in wet abrasion class 2 is therefore highly robust and can be cleaned easily and gently.
Can old coatings be painted over with emulsion paint?
Yes, you can paint over emulsion paint. First, however, the surface should be thoroughly cleaned and any loose old paint removed. Cracks and holes must be repaired. In some cases, a primer is advisable, especially on highly absorbent substrates or when changing colours. Afterwards, the new paint can be applied evenly in one or more coats.
Is there an eco-friendly alternative?
Möbel streichen (painting furniture): What you need - Painting furniture: What you need - Step-by-step furniture painting – how it works - Painting furniture with varnish or stain – which paint is right? - Varnishing, staining, or spraying furniture – how to do it! - Painting furniture depending on the material - Painting furniture – a conclusion - FAQ: Frequently asked questions about painting furnitureHow do you use emulsion paint?
Before you get started, you need to stir the paint thoroughly. The room temperature should not fall below +5 °C. Ideally, it should be between 15 and 25 °C. The air humidity should be at least 40% and no more than 80%. If you want to apply several coats of paint to the surface, make sure that each coat is completely dry first. Under good conditions, the drying time is between 3 and 4 hours. Cool rooms and high humidity can extend the drying time. Whether you use paint rollers, brushes, sponges or even a spray can – with the right accessories, there are virtually no limits to how you can apply the paint. Now it’s your turn. Start your home project with BAUFIX emulsion paints and turn your home and outdoor area into a feel-good oasis. Emulsion paints make it easy to add your own personal touch. If you have any questions, we’re always here to help.
Our wall paint: BAUFIX Ultra-Deckfarbe
- Opacity class I according to DIN EN 13300 at 7 m²/l
- Wet-scrub resistance class III according to DIN EN 13300
- pearl white silk matt
- perfect coverage
- low emissions
- for interior walls and ceilings