Different painting projects require different kinds of paint. Watercolors may be good for some paintings, but they’re worlds different from oil-based paints, which are way different from acrylics. All of these produce hugely different effects in the works of art they produce, and the same holds true for domestic and commercially-available painting.
So what about the type of paint you would use to paint a commercial space? That is naturally going to depend on what type of painting task you are undertaking and where in the building you plan on painting. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the different types of commercial painting options available and when you should use them.
- Satin Paints
If you are painting the interior of commercial space, satin paints should be your top choice. Not only does it give you a nice finish but, more importantly still, it tends to wear better than semi-gloss and glossy finishes, which can chip or lose luster easier than satin paint.
Another nice touch is the fact that satin finishes aren’t too sensitive, which means you can give them a good scrub down without worrying that the paint will come off. This is obviously attractive for commercial spaces in particular, where foot traffic is heavy and the need for regular washing and maintenance is that much greater.
That being said, if you do choose to apply satin finishes, you’ll want to do so with care. Satin will show brush or roller strokes, so you’ll want to make sure that you don’t apply it in such a way as to make these roller and brush strokes visible.
- What About Gloss Paints?
Two of the most common types of interior paint choices are gloss and matte paints. That said, they have different values when it comes to commercial applications.
While semi-gloss can make certain areas gleam a bit brighter when well-lit, which is naturally attractive in terms of interiors, as stated, they are also more fragile and easily besmirched.
- Alkyd Versus Acrylic Paints
Outdoor painting choices often come down to acrylic or alkyd paints. In this matchup, acrylic-latex blends tend to have less overwhelming odors and lower VOC levels, which can make them the preferred choice between the two for commercial paint jobs. In particular, you want to look for blends or water-based mixtures. These can offer you the best of both worlds and offer a smoother, cleaner finish.
- Making Your Selection
Of course, what’s right “on paper” is one thing, but it’s quite different in practice, and that’s true of paint as well. Those different textures and consistencies matter, but how will your paint actually look and last once it’s on the wall?
As mentioned, both acrylic and satin paints are good for indoor and outdoor paints, respectively. You need to make sure that you have paint rollers and brushes that are properly suited to either paint. Semi-gloss paints can be great for adding a gleaming finish, but are far more fragile.
From all of this, you can choose the right commercial paint choice for your property.