Which wall paint to choose? Types, sheen and surface

The DIY store has dozens of tins of wall paint, and every label promises coverage, quality and a beautiful finish. Yet the choice really matters. The wrong paint in a busy hallway, a bathroom or on fresh plaster soon leads to marks, rings or flaking patches. In this article you will read which types of wall paint exist, what sheen level means and why the surface is often more important than the colour.

1. The types of wall paint

Most interior walls are painted with latex, a water-based wall paint that dries quickly, has little smell and covers well. Within that group there is a lot of difference. A cheap latex contains less pigment and binder, so you need more coats and the wall marks sooner when cleaned. A premium brand such as Sigma, Sikkens or Wijzonol covers better and stays looking good for longer.

There are also lime paint and chalk paint, which give a soft, cloudy effect and suit older homes well. They are beautiful, but less resistant to marks and scrubbing. In addition there are special wall paints for damp rooms and extra matt ceiling paint that spatters less and shows patches less quickly. If you are torn between brands, Sikkens or Sigma will help you further.

2. Choosing the sheen

Wall paint comes in matt, extra matt and satin. The more matt, the better unevenness in the wall disappears, because less light is reflected. That is why many people choose matt for the living room and bedroom, especially with older walls in Amsterdam upper-floor flats where the plaster is not equally flat everywhere.

Satin is more washable and tougher, but shows every bump and every roller mark sooner. It works well in a hallway, a child's room or a kitchen, where walls are touched or cleaned more often. Nowadays there are also matt wall paints that are still highly scrub-resistant. Feel free to ask about them during the advice session.

3. Which paint in which room

Every room asks something different of the paint. A handy rule of thumb:

• living room and bedroom: good-quality matt latex
• hallway, stairs and child's room: scrub-resistant latex that can take a knock
• bathroom and toilet: wall paint for damp rooms
• ceiling: extra matt ceiling paint, rolled or sprayed

For ceilings, spraying is often a good choice, because it gives an even finish without lap marks. What that involves can be read on the page about spraying a ceiling. Looking for an interior painter? See interior painting in Amsterdam or interior painting in Haarlem.

4. The surface determines the result

Even the most expensive paint will not adhere to a wall that is dusty, greasy or too absorbent. New plaster must first dry properly and then receives a primer sealer, otherwise the paint soaks in patchily. Old walls with cracks or holes are filled and sanded first. If there is an old layer of lime paint or a glossy paint, a special primer is sometimes needed before latex will stay put.

You will never see this groundwork afterwards, but it determines whether your wall still looks crisp years later. That is why a skilled painter always looks at the surface first and adapts the preparation to it, before a brush even touches the paint.

5. Rolling or spraying

Wall paint can be rolled or sprayed. Rolling is ideal for a single room or an occupied space where you do not want to cover everything. Spraying is faster on large surfaces, such as an empty home, a new-build house or an office, and gives a crisp, even finish. In a home in Zaandam, for example, the walls and ceilings were sprayed with high-quality latex: crisp, even and quick to dry.

Which method suits your situation can be read in spraying or rolling latex. A national market indication of the price difference can be found under what spraying walls costs. Oranje Kwast charges €17 per m² for walls and €20.65 per m² for ceilings, excluding VAT, with a minimum of €300 per job. You get the final price after the free advice session, in a clear quote tailored to your home.

In practice this topic belongs with interior painting and commercial painting. There you can read about the approach and the options, or request a free, no-obligation quote straight away.

Further reading: Exterior painting in Zaandam, Exterior painting in Haarlem, Exterior painting in Amstelveen.

Frequently asked questions