When it comes time to purchase paint, there are three main options: latex, acrylic, and oil-based.
While oil paints were popular a couple of decades ago, they’re not so much anymore. Instead, most people rely on latex paint for their home projects.
But then, there’s also acrylic to consider.
If you’re trying to choose between acrylic vs latex paint, here’s what you should know.
What’s the Difference Between Acrylic and Latex Paint?
The main difference between acrylic and latex paints is their composition. Latex paint has a water base, while acrylic has a chemical base.
As a result, latex is most commonly used for interior painting jobs, while acrylic paints are better for art projects.
Acrylic Paint Facts
Acrylic is a chemical-based paint. It contains acrylic resins and pigment in an acrylic polymer base.
One advantage of its composition is that it sticks to a lot of different surfaces. This is why it’s so popular for arts and crafts.
Acrylic is also more elastic than latex paint, which makes it more durable. When it dries it becomes weather resistant – standing up to water and the sun.
But as durable as acrylic is, it does have a few cons.
First of all, it’s relatively thick, requiring special paintbrushes and rollers. It has a speedy dry time, so it’s unsuitable for large areas, like interior walls.
Some acrylic paints are water-soluble, so you can clean up brushes with warm soapy water as long as you’re quick with clean-up. But depending on the brand you use, you may have to pull out paint thinner for cleaning.
Another downside? It can be tough to find large sizes of acrylic paint.
You’ll likely need to visit a specialty paint store to do so. And even then, expect to pay double what you would for a standard gallon of latex paint.
Pros of acrylic paint:
- Weather-resistant
- More resistant to chipping
- Elastic and durable
- Stands up to mildew
- It comes in a wide variety of colors
- Excellent adhesion to multiple surfaces
Cons of acrylic paint:
- Not suitable for large surface areas
- Super-fast drying time
- Expensive
- May require paint thinner for clean up
Latex Paint Facts
Latex paint has a water base, making it low odor and incredibly easy to clean up. It’s the most commonly used paint for interior walls.
Latex paint is still durable, although it’s not as good of a choice for outdoor projects as acrylic.
The most significant advantage of using latex paint is that it’s easy to work with. It doesn’t have a super-fast dry time, so you don’t have to speed through the painting process.
In addition, you don’t need special brushes and rollers, and it covers incredibly well.
Latex paint comes in larger sizes than acrylic and is more cost-effective.
Pros of latex paint:
- Easy application
- Covers well and requires fewer coats
- Easy to find in large quantities
- Less expensive
- Suitable for painting large surface areas
- Easy clean up with soap and water
Cons of latex paint:
- Not as weather-resistant
Which is Better, Acrylic or Latex Paint?
Both acrylic and latex paints are durable. But, because of its ease of use and longer workability, latex paint is ideal for house painting and home projects.
Acrylic paint is best for art projects and is suitable for painting exterior surfaces, especially wood.
Should I Paint a Bathroom with Acrylic Paint?
A common question we get about latex vs acrylic is which is better for painting a bathroom? While you might lean toward acrylic since it’s more water-resistant, latex is much easier to work with.
Latex paint in a satin or semi-gloss finish is ideal for bathrooms.
Final Thoughts
There are some apparent differences between acrylic and latex paint. The most obvious is their composition, making these two types of paint suitable for different projects.
Latex paint is ideal for home painting. It’s easy to work with, inexpensive and provides excellent durability. While acrylic paint is even more durable, it’s super-fast drying, making it impractical to paint large areas like a wall.
Acrylic paint is best suited for art, DIY crafts, and painting projects like outdoor furniture.