Quality products, professional service, and competitive prices since 1956

Water-Based Paints vs. Oil-Based Paints: Which to Use?

by Chelsea Creekmore

If you're working on a painting project, like kitchen cabinets, an outdoor shed, or your living room walls, you might wonder whether you need oil-based or water-based paints. Oil-based paints use oil as a solvent, while water-based paints, also called acrylic or latex paints, use water as a solvent. At its simplest, oil-based paint has a higher sheen and dries harder, while water-based paint has a lower sheen but has a longer-lasting color over the years.

Father lifting son while he uses water-based paint to paint walls green as mom looks on at Hoover Paint near Nashville, TN

At Hoover Paint, we can help you choose the best paint for your project and get you all the necessary tools to complete it.

Water-Based Paints Vs. Oil-Based Paints: Durability and Finish

Oil-based paints dry harder than water-based paints, making it more difficult for pets or kids to scratch them. However, that same durability makes the paint inflexible, so as it ages, it's more likely to crack and become brittle and chalky. It also tends towards yellow.

Water-based paints are more flexible, so they can shrink and expand with weather conditions and your home's natural aging without losing their appearance. Modern paint technology has also advanced, so it dries harder and faster.

Water-Based Paints Vs. Oil-Based Paints: Sheen Quality

The sheen on water-based paints is not as brilliant as on oil-based paints. However, because oil-based paints become chalky as they age, the sheen deteriorates and fades quickly. Water-based paints hold their sheen better, so they maintain their appearance longer.

Best Projects for Oil-Based Paint

As water-based paints become more durable, oil-based paints are slowly becoming less popular because of the odor and VOCs. However, they can still be the best choice for some projects. For instance, they can be a good choice for:

  • High-traffic areas, like hallways.
  • Somewhere you want a glossy, high-sheen finish, like molding or furniture.
  • Projects you don't intend to repaint frequently, like cabinets.
  • Something you want with a hard finish.
  • Painting over existing oil-based projects.

Best Projects for Water-Based Paint

Due to their flexibility, water-based paints, which may have acrylic or latex labels, are best for outdoor projects. They can hold their color and sheen as the weather changes. They have less odor, lower VOCs, and dry faster. They're UV-resistant, allowing your project to retain its color for years. You can also paint with them over existing oil-based paint.

They're an excellent option for:

  • Exterior walls exposed to the elements.
  • Interior projects with high moisture and humidity, like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
  • Swimming pools.
  • Barns.
  • Roofs.
  • Exterior doors or shutters.
  • Murals.

Visit Hoover Paint in Central Tennessee for Your Next Painting Project

Start out strong for your next painting project! At Hoover Paint in Central Tennessee, our friendly staff will help you select the paint you need, get the colors you want, and answer any questions. We carry high-quality Benjamin Moore paints, wallpaper, and all the tools you need, from paint brushes to paint sprayers, drop cloths, and painter's tape. Contact us today and make our store your one-stop shop for your next DIY or professional project.

We have locations in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Cool Springs, Shelbyville, Cookeville, Green Hills, Manchester, Mt. Juliet, Clarksville, and Pleasant View, Tennessee.

Back to Blog