Acrylic vs Latex Paints - What’s the Difference?

Choosing the right paint type is key. A lot of people focus on color, but paint type impacts durability, finish quality, and even how quickly the work can be done. Two popular paint types are latex and acrylic. Which should you choose? The short answer, of course, is it depends.

The longer answer is that you need to understand the qualities of both paint types and which one is better for a specific use.

What is Acrylic Paint?

Acrylic paint consists of pigments, a binder, and a vehicle. The binder, in this case, is 100% acrylic resin, and the vehicle is an acrylic polymer solution. This creates a water-resistant surface when it dries. Acrylic is considered water-based as opposed to oil-based, which means it does not mix well with oil-based paints, but is more accurately called a chemical-based paint. Basically, as the water evaporates, the acrylic resin particles fuse into a durable paint. This means it dries very quickly.

It is the current standard for many outdoor uses, due to being water resistant, sun resistant, and durable.

Benefits of Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints provide the following benefits:

• Fast drying - they start to dry after 20 to 30 minutes and are completely dry after 1 hour
• Easy to maintain - can be cleaned with soap and water
• Durable
• Brightly colored
• Flexible and adhesive
• Expands and contracts without cracking
• Combines well with textural elements
• Easy to apply, especially for novices, and to clean up
• Highly water resistant
• Resistant to the sun - fades slower

When to Use Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints are highly water resistant and tolerant of temperature changes. This means they work well for outdoor applications, especially in harsh or tough climates. Indoors, use acrylic pints for high moisture rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. You might also consider them for extremely high traffic areas, such as mud rooms. Acrylic is more expensive, but also far more durable, and should be considered in any place you find yourself repainting frequently.

Acrylic paints also work well for accent walls, especially if textural elements are used, as those elements tend to bind better to acrylic paint than to vinyl. Also consider acrylic if repainting patio and outdoor furniture that is left out in the elements a lot. It will last longer without cracking, peeling, or fading.

What is Latex Paint?

Latex paint is also water-based, and uses a binder of either acrylic resin or vinyl in a solution of water. It is considered water-based, not chemical-based like acrylic paint, but also does not mix well with oil-based paint. Originally, latex paint was, yes, made with a rubber binder, but modern latex paint no longer contains rubber. Instead, it contains a synthetic binder in water. (This means that people with latex allergies do not have to worry about exposure when using the paint).

Latex paint is an affordable, versatile option for many uses, but is less durable than acrylic paint. It is the current standard for regular interior painting.

Benefits of Latex Paints

• Cheaper than acrylic
• Very easy to apply
• Easy to clean with just soap and water
• Produces fewer fumes and less odor
• Uses fewer coats
• Quick drying time - typically dry to the touch within an hour
• Resists yellowing over time
• Breathable

When to Use Latex Paints

One advantage of latex paints is that they produce a lot less odor and fewer fumes. This means that you aren't driven out of the room by the smell of paint. Combined with the cost, latex is typically the best choice for all standard interior applications - walls, ceilings, doors, trim, drywall, plaster, etc. Most interior painting should be done with latex paints, and they are also good for repainting furniture and cabinets in low moisture environments. Consider when repainting bedroom storage solutions, for example.

The ease of application and lack of odor also makes them a great choice if you are doing the painting yourself, but pros will typically use latex for these applications too.

Note that both types of paint dry quickly, which allows you to move on to the next stage of the project or put furniture back faster. But because latex requires fewer coats, the overall project will be done even faster, and you will spend less money.

Are Latex or Acrylic Paints More Eco-Friendly?

Latex paints are more eco-friendly than acrylics. Both are, however, better than oil-based formulas. Most professionals no longer use or recommend oil-based paint for home interiors. Oil-based paint releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which cause that "new paint" smell. The smell dissipates relatively quickly, but the VOCs remain around for longer. These compounds can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and nausea, but long-term exposure can damage your liver, kidneys, and central nervous system and even cause cancer. Some may cause damage to the ozone layer. Some people are so sensitive to VOCs that they cannot remain in the area until the smell has dissipated. VOCs are also dangerous to pets.

Even with acrylic and latex paints, you should ventilate the area well when applying, and remove pets - move caged pets to another room and restrain dogs or cats elsewhere in the house. But low-VOC latex paints have no more than 250 grams per liter, lower than even low-VOC oil-based paints. This is a significant reduction from traditional paints.

Latex paint also requires fewer coats than acrylic, which means less paint is being used and made. However, latex paint does not work as well for outdoor applications or high moisture areas, so this is something you should weigh up when considering your project.

Using latex paint for standard interior applications, though, will significantly reduce your and your family's exposure to VOCs. As you will be using less paint, you will also be using less energy.