What is Emulsion Paint and What is it Used For

Contents:

• What is emulsion paint?
• Understanding the different types
• What's it used for?
• Key benefits
• Common mistakes
• Key takeaways
• FAQs

Emulsion paint is a very popular type of paint. It is used on everything from commercial building projects to small home DIY projects. You can get emulsion paint in any colour, it comes in everything from matt to glossier finishes, and there are emulsion paints for most types of surface.

In this article, we’ll explain exactly what emulsion paint is and what emulsion paint is used for. We’ll explain what the different types of emulsion are and how to choose the right type for your project. As well as that, we’ll explain where emulsion paints are used most often, what the main benefits of using emulsion paint are and what mistakes you need to avoid when you’re using it.

Emulsion paint is a water based paint that is known for being popular and easy to use. Emulsion paints are quick drying, and they’re easy to clean up. They also have a low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, which makes them safer and nicer to work with. On top of this, they look great and they’re available in a huge range of finishes.

Emulsion paint is made from a mixture of water, pigment (the colour), a synthetic polymer binder and other additives like biocides that stop mould growing on paint. Emulsion paint is the most popular type of paint, being used on interior walls and ceilings, on woodwork and trim and in many other places.

 

Emulsion paints come in a range of finishes. You can find an emulsion paint that will suit almost any building or DIY project.

Matt emulsion paint

Matt emulsion paint has a non-reflective and velvety finish. Sometimes, the finish with emulsion paint is described as ‘flat’. Rather than being bland, however, matt paint adds a calming feel to a room.

Walls and ceilings are what matt emulsion paint is perfect for. It’s also a good choice of paint in rooms where durability isn’t important.

Here are the key features of matt emulsion paint:

• Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and ceilings

• Rich and deep in colour

• Good at concealing imperfections in walls

• Non-reflective, with a smooth and modern feel

• Easy to apply without leaving brush marks

• More prone to scratches and marks than other paint finishes

• Less easy to wash and less durable than other paints

Special washable and durable matt emulsions are available.

Satin emulsion paint 

Satin emulsion is often used on woodwork and trim, such as skirting boards, doors and metal surfaces. As well as this, it’s used on walls.

Satin emulsion paint has a smoother and more reflective surface than matt emulsion. It isn’t glossy, but it has a mid-sheen finish that shines. The shine helps woodwork and trim to contrast with walls. When used on walls, it adds brightness to a room. Satin emulsion is also a good choice of wall paint where durability matters, such as in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.

Here are the main features of satin emulsion paint:

• Smooth appearance with a slight sheen

• Well suited to use on woodwork and trim

• Much more durable and washable than other emulsions

• Good stain resistance

• Moisture resistant

• Not as good as matt and low gloss emulsions at covering imperfections on walls

Silk emulsion paint

Silk emulsion paint is similar to satin emulsion but isn’t as well suited to being used on woodwork and trim.

Silk emulsion gives walls a smooth and reflective surface that shines. Having a more reflective surface adds brightness to the room. This looks great in some rooms, and the harder surface of silk emulsion also makes it more hardwearing.

Silk emulsion is the right choice in rooms where durability matters, such as bathrooms, kitchens and hallways.

Here are the key features of silk emulsion paint:

• Reflective surface with a smooth, shining finish

• Well suited to walls in rooms where durability matters

• More durable and washable than other emulsions

• Good stain resistance

• Moisture resistant

• May reveal imperfections on old or damaged walls

You can really bring the sheen out in silk emulsion with brighter lighting in the room.

Soft sheen emulsion paint

Soft sheen emulsion offers a midway between silk and matt emulsion in terms of glossiness. It’s normally used on walls, although it can be used on woodwork and trim.

Soft sheen emulsion gives walls a soft glow that adds a touch of brightness and warmth to a room. It is also more durable than matt paint. It’s a good choice where you’d like a softer finish on a wall but you’d still like to have some durability in the paint.  

Here are the key features of soft sheen emulsion paint:

• Slight reflectiveness gives walls a soft sheen

• More durable and washable than matt paint but less than silk and satin

• More moisture and stain resistant than matt paint

• May reveal imperfections on old or damaged walls

• Suitable for woodwork and trim

Eggshell emulsion paint 

Eggshell emulsion has a very soft sheen, coming between soft sheen and matt emulsion in terms of glossiness. It provides a matt feel but with a slight glow, and it also provides some durability.

Eggshell emulsion works well on woodwork, giving a subtle, low lustre sheen that some people really like. It also works well in high humidity areas where glossy paints won’t be suitable.  

Here are the main features of eggshell emulsion paint:

• Soft, low lustre sheen

• Some durability and washability

• Can hide imperfections in old walls, damaged walls and woodwork

• Moderate stain resistance

• Versatile usability

Here’s what emulsion paint is used for.

Interior walls & ceilings

Emulsion paint works brilliantly on walls and ceilings, and most homes in the UK have emulsion paint on the walls and ceilings.

You can find an emulsion paint that will work on any wall or ceiling. On top of this, emulsion paint is easy to apply, and it dries quickly. It also has a low VOC count, making it more pleasant to work with.

Kitchens & bathrooms

Emulsion paint works well in kitchens and bathrooms. The glossier types of emulsion paint provide durability, washability, stain resistance and moisture resistance that is helpful in these locations.

You can buy special durable and washable matt emulsions if you really want matt paint in a location normally suited to glossier paints. 

Feature walls and decorative effectst 

Emulsion paints work perfectly well on feature walls and for adding decorative effects to walls and ceilings. Some types of emulsion also work for sealing woodwork and covering trim, including metalwork.

Bold colours and textured finishes often work well in some of these locations. Glossier finishes also tend to work well on woodwork and trim, although lots of people also like less glossy, eggshell finishes.  

Using emulsion on new plaster and renovation projects 

You can use emulsion paint on new plasterwork and on renovation projects.

You need to apply a mist coat of paint to newly plastered walls before you apply a top coat of emulsion. This is a layer of watered down emulsion that seals the plaster and improves the bond between the plaster and the top coats of paint. You might also need to apply primer to old walls you’re repainting.

Emulsion masonry paints for exterior use 

Emulsion paint is also used for exterior painting projects.

You can use specially designed exterior grade masonry emulsion for painting brickwork and other outdoor masonry surfaces, for example.

Exterior emulsions are similar to other types but are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and outdoor conditions. 

Here are the main benefits of emulsion paint:

• Quick drying - Emulsion paint is water based, and it dries very quickly. You should always check the tin for exact drying times. However, most emulsions take 4 – 6 hours to dry enough to be ready for another coat.

• Low odour and low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - There is less risk of toxicity with emulsion paints because they are low odour and low in VOCs. They are safer to work with, and they’re also more pleasant to work with. Fewer harmful chemicals also get into soils and the environment during production and on disposal.

• Easy application and cleanup - Emulsion paint is water soluble, which makes it much easier to work with. You can clean up brushes, rollers and equipment quickly in water, without the need for chemical cleaners. You can also clean emulsion paint out of carpets or clean emulsion paint out of your clothes if you spill it while you’re working.  

Range of finishes and colours - Emulsion paints come in any colour. There’s an abundance of choices for popular colours like blue, green and grey. Emulsion also comes in a range of finish types. You can find an emulsion paint for almost any room or surface.

Here are the common mistakes to avoid on an emulsion painting project:

• Skipping surface preparation - Good preparation is vital on any painting project. First of all, you need to make sure that walls and other surfaces are free of dirt, grease, or old flaky paint that might stop new paint from adhering properly. As well as this, you might need to consider sanding or using a primer, such as if you’re painting matt paint over silk.

• Applying too thickly - It’s always best to paint in thin layers than to try and get everything done in one or two thick layers of paint. If you apply paint too thickly, you might end up with problems like streakiness or peeling.

• Choosing the wrong finish - Make sure you take the time to choose the right finish before you start. It’s easy to underestimate how much of a difference there is in terms of glossiness and colour between paint types.

Emulsion paint is very popular and versatile. There’s every chance you’ll be able to find an emulsion paint that suits your building or DIY project.

It’s important, however, to take the time to understand what emulsion paint is best used for and how the different finishes look before you make a choice. The finish types differ substantially, and it’s important to match the emulsion to the room and the surface, which can be found in our painting and decorating guides.

It is also worth considering whether another type of paint might work on a project. For example, some people prefer to use oil based paints on woodwork and trim because they’re glossier, more flexible and more hardwearing.

If you get paint on your clothes, it’s normally easier to get it out than on a carpet. Find out how to get paint out of clothes.