Are you trying to decide which paints to use for your home? Or are you just curious about the difference in paints that exist in the Kenyan market at the moment? In this blog, I will highlight the difference between the most commonly used paint types in Kenya and where to use them.
1. Gloss paint – This is an economical paint with a shiny high gloss finish. The advantages of this particular type of paint is that it’s smooth, washable and stain resistant. It is mostly applied on properly primed steel elements, timber and masonry. It can also be applied in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. The finish can be considered a functional finish but not a luxurious finish on walls. It is an oil-based paint and therefore needs to be thinned (Mixed) with white spirit.
Semi-gloss options are also available in the market if one does not want the full gloss look that can especially be used for high traffic areas where resistance to wear from scrubbing, dirt and steam are required. It is a fashionable gloss finish.
2. Matt emulsion paints – These are paints that can be used over a number of surfaces such as masonry, plastered walls etc. It is usually applied as an undercoat both internally and externally on walls. It is also applied on ceilings. It commonly comes in three colours, white, off white and cream. It is also used during renovations before changing paint colours. It’s basically used to restore the wall paint to a white finish before painting the final colour.
This is a water based paint and is therefore thinned with water. It can be used as a final paint coat if one is on a budget or is looking for a matt finish. Note that this paint has the tendency to stain compared to the gloss finish discussed above. It has the advantage of being breathable and has the ability to hide imperfections on walls. In this category are brands like basco value paint, covermatt and superfast.
3. Vinyl silk emulsion – Typically vinyl silk is usually applied on top of the matt undercoat. It is designed to provide a silky luxurious finish to the walls. One of the benefits of this paint is that it combines luxury with functionality due to its ability to be washable. It is however a more expensive paint than the matt emulsion paint. It is a decorative paint and is available in a range of many colours since it comes in a base where most Hardwares can add a colourant to match the desired colour taste. This is used as an interior paint.
4. Vinyl matt emulsion – This paint is suitable where you are looking for a matt finish without the downsides that come with the matt emulsion paints as these paints have an additive that improve its quality. It does not stain as easily and it is easier to clean. It keeps the advantages of breathability and no primer is required on new walls. This is mostly used as an interior paint. This paint can also come in a variety of colours as required.
5. Silicon based exterior paints – These paints are ideally designed for use externally as they do well in areas of high exposure to the weather elements. They are also easy to clean and somewhat mold and algae resistant. They are available in a wide range of colours. They are considered to be self-priming on new plaster. It has a low sheen finish.
6. Transeal paint – This is an acrylic clear coat finish that can be applied to various surfaces such as masonry walls, concrete, brick etc. to make the surfaces more dust resistant and easier to clean. However, note that this product is recommended for internal use only and especially where it’s not exposed to direct sunlight. It can also be applied over a matt finish and wallpapers to produce a semi gloss finish.
For protection of exterior walls, acrylic sealer paint can be used. It looks white on application, but it dries up to form a clear matt finish.
7. Wall master paint – This paint is especially liked due to its aesthetic appearance and durability. It is available in different colours that can be mixed in with the white base. It holds up well against water, algae, mold and fungus. This is what is commonly referred to as Ruff and Tuff or textured paint in the Kenyan market. For internal use, the base is mixed with vinyl silk but for external use it’s mixed with silicon-based paints so it’s important to ensure that you get the right mix to ensure longevity. It also requires trained personnel to apply.
I hope this reading has been insightful. Build wisely!
