There are many paint types available in the market. So when it comes to choosing the right paint for your home, you must be fully informed as to which type of paint is suitable for which area of your home. Let us go through a comprehensive guide to different paints, their pros and cons, and the best areas for their use with the order of preference.
Types of Paints for Walls
- Emulsion Paint
- Lustre Paint
- Enamel Paint
- Distemper Paint
- Cement Paint
- Metallic Paint
1. Emulsion Paint
These water based paints are one of the most popular choices of paint in India for interior walls and ceiling surfaces.
Characteristics of Emulsion Paints
- Water-based
- Fast-drying
- Crack-resistant
- Available in various finishes
Pros of Emulsion Paints
- High durability, Long lasting
- Low VOC, no fumes, no Unpleasant Odor
- High color retention
- Resistant to fungi
Cons of Emulsion Paints
- Can be more expensive than some other types (e.g. distemper paint)
Suitable for
- Indoor walls, wood, furniture, high use areas like hallways and kitchens
Types of finish of Emulsion Interior Paints
Emulsion interior paints come in a wide variety of finishes like
- Satin
- Eggshell
- Glossy
- Matte
Popular Brand of Emulsion Interior Paints with prices
| Brand | Paint Name | Paint in Rs. /L |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Paints | Tractor Emulsion | 3868/ 20L |
| Asian Paints | Apcolite | 3999/10 L |
| Asian Paints | Apcolite shyne, All Protek series | 4799/10L |
| Asian Paints | Royale Glitz | 12084/ 20L |
| Berger | Silk Glamor Matt | 10236/ 20L |
| Berger | Easy Clean | 6924/ 20L |
| Berger | Bison Glow | 2150/ 20L |
| Nerolac | Beauty Little Master Sheen | 2150/ 20L |
| Nerolac | Impression Ultra HD | 2150/ 20L |
| Nerolac | Beauty smooth finish | 2150/ 20L |
| Nerolac | Impressions Kashmir | 2150/ 20L |
| Nerolac | Excel Anti Peel White | 2700/ 20L |
| Nippon | Kidz All in One | 17363/ 20L |
| Nippon | Atom Fibra 2 in 1 | 6015/ 20L |
| Nippon | Breeze star | 4800/ 20L |
| Nippon | Satin Glo Prime | 15400/ 20L |
| Shalimar | Silk sign | 5445/ 20L |
| Dulux | Super Cover Ultra | 3850/ 20L |
| Dulux | Super clean 3 in 1 | 5272/ 20L |
| Dulux | Velvet Touch pearl Glo | 9500/ 20L |
| Dulux | Promise Interior | 4150/ 20L |
| BSC Paints | Royal | 9000/20L |
| BSC Paints | Platina | 2200/20L |
2. Lustre Paints
Pros of Lustre Paints
- Stain-resistant
- Water resistance.
- High degree of washability
- Forms a firm, highly resistant coating over the surface as it dries
- Luster paint prevents the wall from yellowing
Cons of Lustre Paints
- Sheen fades quickly
- Requires more coats
- Not eco-friendly
- Strong odor. This problem can be solved by using water-based lustre paints
Suitable for
High use areas
Popular Brands of Lustre Paints with Prices
| Brand Name | Paint Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Paints | Royal Lustre | 14532 / 20L |
| Asian Paints | Interior Wall Finish | 4616/ 20L |
| Dulux | Lustre Enamel | 3623/ 20L |
| Berger | Luxol Lustre Oil Paint | 6640/ 20L |
| Nerolac | Pearl Lustre Finish | 5043/ 20L |
3. Enamel Paint
Characteristics of Enamel Paints
- Available in oil-based and water-based formulations
- Smooth and glossy finish
Pros of Enamel Paints
- High Durability
- Easy to clean, stain and water-resistant
- Heat resistant
- Antifungal
Cons of Enamel Paints
- Longer drying time
- Strong fumes (especially oil-based)
- Leaves brush strokes
Suitable for
- Bathrooms
- Metal and wooden surfaces
- High-usage areas, kitchens and bathrooms exposed to grime and moisture
Tip: Can be used as a top coat for walls in high-traffic areas instead of using alone.
Types of Enamel Paints
| Type of Enamel Paint | Characteristics | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|
| PU Enamel Paint | Toughness | Furniture and cabinets |
| Synthetic Enamel Paint | Cost-effective
Smooth finish |
Home painting |
| Oil Enamel Paint | Highly durable
Glossy finish Strong odours longer drying time |
Best for outdoor use |
| Water-Based Enamel Paint | Environmentally friendly
Low VOCs Quick drying Easy to clean Comes in high gloss and matt finishes |
Home painting |
Popular Enamel Paint Brands with Prices
| Brand Name | Paint Name | Price Rs. /L |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Paints | Apcolite Premium Enamel
(Medium Gloss) |
6299/ 20L |
| Asian Paints | Apcolite Advanced ( High Gloss) | 8060/ 20L |
| Dulux | Pu Enamel- High Gloss | 7600/ 20L |
| Berger | Luxol High Gloss Enamel | 4512/ 20L |
| Nerolac | Synthetic Enamel ( High Gloss) | 280/ 1L |
4. Distemper Paint
Characteristics of Distemper paint
- Water-based
- Made from lime, water, chalk, glue and pigment
Pros of Distemper paint
- Budget friendly
- Quick drying
- Easy to apply
- Hides surface flaws
- Smooth matte finish
- No primer required
Cons of Distemper paint
- Not waterproof
- Low Durability
- Limited stain resistance
- Fades faster than other paints
- Not suitable for high-usage or moisture prone areas
Suitable for
- Mostly interior walls
- Some exterior areas with limited exposure e.g. Balcony, House to be rented out, Warehouse where you want to limit expense
Popular Distemper Paint Brands with Prices
| Brand Name | Paint Name | Price Rs. /L |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Paints | Asian Paints Tractor Uno Distemper | 1599/ 20kg |
| Asian Paints | Asian Paints Tractor Acrylic Distemper | 1344/ 20kg |
| Berger | BERGER Bison Acrylic Distemper | 1160/ 20kg |
| Berger | Berger Butterfly Acrylic Distemper | 700/ 20kg |
| Dulux | Promise Exterior | 4699/20L |
| Birla White | Trutonex Distemper | 1120/ 1kg |
| Magic Paints | Ajooba – Sunrise Matte Finish Acrylic Distemper Paint | 460/ 5kg |
| Magic Paints | Acrylic Distemper | 640/ 5kg |
5. Cement Paint
Characteristics of Cement Paint
- Matte finish
- Available in various shades
- Suitable for rough surfaces
Pros of Cement Paint
- Durable
- Low washability
- Suited for harsh conditions
Cons of Cement Paint
- Can be costly
- Not suitable for smooth or indoor surfaces
Suitable for
- Cement surfaces
- Rough-finished home exteriors
- Floors
Popular Cement Paint Brands with Prices
| Brand | Paint Name | Price Rs. /L |
|---|---|---|
| Indigo | Floracem | 650/ 25kg |
| Magic Paints | Cem Plus Decorative Waterproof CEMENT PAINT | 576/ 10kg |
| Plus Ultra | Plus Ultra Cement Paint | 500/ 20kg |
| Prishyam | Waterproof Cement Paint | 410/ 20kg |
| HD Colour Paints | HD Utsav Cement Paint | 200/ 25kg |
6. Metallic Paint
Characteristics of Metallic Paint
- Water-based
- Contains metallic microparticles
- Often used for ceilings
Pros of Metallic Paint
- Highly durable
- Luxurious, rich metallic look
- Light UV protection
- Conceals defects
Cons of Metallic Paint
- Very expensive
- Difficult to match color palette
Suitable for
- Ceilings
- Feature walls
Popular Metallic Paint Brands with Prices
| Brand | Paint Name | Price Rs. /L |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Paints | Royale Play Metallics | 1002/ 1L |
| Nerolac | Impressions Metallic finish | 1000/ 1 L |
| Berger | Silk GlamArt Metallica | 1029/ 1 L |
| Berger | Silk Illusion Metallica | 1254/ 1 L |
| Indigo | Metallic emulsion(Platinum Series) | 1000/ 1 L |
FAQs
Asian Paint, Kansai Nerolac Paint, Nippon Paints, and Berger Paint are known for offering the best quality paints in India.
Consider Room Size and Lighting: Different paints and finishes can affect how a room feels and looks.
- Mix and Match: Combine different paints and finishes to achieve the desired effect.
- Take a swatch test– Purchase a small quantity and apply a small portion on the wall to see the look before buying full paint quantity.
- Invest in Quality: Higher-quality paints ensure better results and longevity.
High-quality 100% acrylic latex paints, renowned for their fade-resistant properties, stand out as the best option for enduring vibrancy and protection against the elements.
There are a few basic rules:
- Take account of the existing elements in the room- color of the furniture, wood ceiling or Wooden flooring ( if you have) etc.
- The size of the room – darker colors tend to make a room look smaller
- The amount of light in a room – a lighter or brighter color can amplify the amount of light
- What the room will be used for – child’s room, office, bedroom etc. as different types of paints are used according to the area to be used in. eg. Easy to clean (enamel) paints are used in high traffic areas.
