What is the difference between oil base house paint and waterborne house paint, commonly referred to as latex paint?
Now days you have latex paint (waterborne) with 100% acrylic binders in them providing maximum adhesion, which in most cases will out perform oil. They are very flexible, so
they continue to adhere even when temperature changes cause the surface to expand and contract. This elasticity helps forestall chipping, peeling, flaking and other common paint failure (Less Repaints Over The Years). Oil base paint becomes brittle over time and is more prone to cracking and chipping, not having the elasticity or the ability to withstand as much heat as latex.
Latex (waterborne) acrylics retain color better and are less prone to bleaching and fading outlasting oil base paints in the color retention department. Oil base paint is more of a breeding ground for mildew, latex (waterborne) and especially acrylics are less prone to developing mildew. Most latex with acrylic binders have mildicides in them and latex is also breathable allowing moisture to escape, oil base paint seals the surface and will seal any moisture in. Latex paints have little or no odor, they are non-flammable, come in low and 0 VOC and easily clean up with water, oil base paints have to be cleaned up with solvents. Latex can be used on a variety of surfaces, wood, metal, aluminum, stucco, concrete, brick, concrete siding, vinyl siding and drywall. Latex is generally not recommended for use on ferrous metals, as these types of metals can rust. Oil base paints take two to three times as long if not longer to dry than latex base paints do and are quickly fading out due to environmental laws and health reasons.
Kellogg's Painting Company uses paints with zero and low VOC's.
-Thomas Kellogg
