Interior Paints

After years of neglect, the interior walls are in dire need of fresh coats of paint to liven up the whole house. Sure painting is easy but you want the colors to last for a long time. Give us the pleasure to guide you along in choosing some of the best interior paints so that the whole house will always look new, rich and vibrant every single day for years.

 

Interior Paint Buying Guide

1) Water Or Oil-Based?

Water-based interior paints (latex) are the preferred choice for most consumers as they are durable, safe (non-flammable) as well as easy to use and clean. They consist of a pigment (color) and binder (plastic-like polymer) with water as the base. Upon evaporation, they leave behind a thin film of coatings that retain color for livelier appearances. For best results, look out for 100% acrylic binders interior paints.

Oil-based interior paints (alkyd) consist of a pigment and resin with solvent thinner as the base. Upon evaporation, the resins form hard coatings, impervious to water. As they offer better adhesion and penetration, they are often used for certain applications such as on chalky surfaces. They are also known to be "unbreathable" so provides excellent protection against rusting and staining. For best results, look out for linseed, soya or alkyd based interior paints.

** Tips: For perfect paintings, apply a layer of water-based paint over an oil-based coat.

2) Quality

A higher quality interior paint contains higher content of pigments and binders or resins than ordinary paint, thereby giving a longer-lasting coat that will save you money in the long run. Some of the best quality interior paints usually have at least 30% solids (pigments + binders or resins) by volume.

3) Sheen

This refers to the amount of light that a particular paint reflects on its surface. The choice of sheen you decide depends on how you want the walls or ceilings to look. There are 4 main types of sheen namely flat (matte), low luster (eggshell or satin), semi-gloss and glossy.

Flat or matte paint (no gloss sheen) absorb light and hence frequently used on new walls since they cover up flaws and imperfections extremely well. Unfortunately though, they also tend to absorb dirt making cleaning difficult. They are best use on living rooms, dining rooms and other low-traffic areas.

Low luster paint (low gloss sheen) such as eggshell reflects light slightly creating a soft, velvety finish similar to the surface of an egg. They are easy to clean and wash. Satin on the other reflects light more than flat/matte and eggshell and as such does not absorb dirt and stains much making cleaning easier. They are best used on bedrooms and hallways.

Semi-gloss and glossy sheens reflect light, creating a totally bright and shiny look but unfortunately cannot hide imperfections on walls. They are resistant to moisture hence ideal for railings, moldings and shutters. They look great on ceilings too. They are easy to clean as well hence best used on kitchen and bathrooms and other high traffic areas.

 

Interior Paint Reviews & Ratings

We found the best interior paint reviews from Consumer Reports only. Experts there reviewed some of the best interior paint models from well-established makers such as Ace, Behr, Benjamin Moore, California, Dunn-Edwards, Dutch Boy, Expressions, Glidden, Kelly Moore, Kilz, M.A.B, Martha Stewart, Olympic, Pratt & Lambert, Ralph Lauren, Sears, Sherwin-Williams, True Value and Valspar. Interior paint ratings based on hiding performance, surface smoothness, staining resistance, scrubbing, gloss change, sticking, mildew inhibition growth and fading resistance to UV light determines the best interior paints in their respective class.

Best Interior Paint (Home)

Interior Paint Reviews #1: Making colorful expressions with splendid interior paint reviews from testers and home owners is the best rated Behr Premium Plus Interior Paint. For whole house painting to make walls come alive, paint it with Behr interior paint and notice the difference. Excellent stain and mildew resistant with easy to clean and washable surface makes this best interior paint from Behr an ideal choice for rooms, kitchen hallways and more. Comes in flat, satin and semi-gloss type.

Interior Paint Reviews #2: Bring new life to homes with fantastic interior paint reviews from reviewers and users is the best rated Dutch Boy Home Interior Paint. For walls to look new all day long, it’s got to be painted with this Dutch Boy interior paint. Impressive moisture and mildew resistant together with excellent scrubbability and superior durability makes it a top choice for home owners for 5 years running. Just one coat from this best interior paint from Dutch Boy is all that is needed for all types of walls. Comes in flat, satin and semi-gloss for variety of painting options.

Interior Paint Reviews #3: Bringing a fresh new look to homes with fantastic interior paint reviews from reviewers and home owners is the best rated Kilz Interior Paint. Liven up the whole house with this Kilz interior paint that will bring a whole new perspective to your home environment. Excellent stain, splatter and mildew resistant coupled with great scrubbability and long-lasting durability makes this best interior paint from Kilz a top choice for home owners. Comes in over 1000 standard and custom colors, great for rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, doors etc. 

Interior Paint Reviews #4: Easy on the eyes with superb interior paint reviews from users and expert testers is the best rated True Value EasyCare Interior Paint. For a truly wonderful finish that leaves long-lasting impressions, take this True Value interior paint to the task. Excellent stain resistant with superior hiding performance and together with awesome scrubbabilty and long-lasting durability makes for beautiful homes whole year round when painted with this best interior paint from True Value. Comes in flat, eggshell, stain, semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes.

Interior Paint Reviews #5: Leaving its mark with top-notch interior paint reviews from professionals and home owners is the top rated Valspar Signature Colors Interior Paint. Add colors to your home with this Valspar interior paint that will bring joy to the whole family. Features innovative Duramax Ti3 for a truly superior finish and excellent durability. Easy single coat application from this top rated interior paint from Valspar is all that is required to enjoy beautiful surroundings.

Resources: Paint (Wikipedia)