Water-based paint: benefits, applications, and tips
Water-based paint, also known as waterborne paint, is today the logical choice for many painting jobs. But what is the difference from solvent-based paint? And why are more and more people choosing waterborne wall paint, varnish, or primer? In this blog, you will discover the main benefits of water-based paint, what you use them for, and what to look out for when painting.
What is water-based paint?
Water-based paint, also known as waterborne paint, uses water as a solvent instead of chemical solvents (such as turpentine or white spirit). This means that pigments and binders are dissolved or dispersed in water.
You usually recognize this paint by terms such as "acrylic paint", "latex paint", or "waterborne varnish". It is widely used for interior walls, ceilings, and woodwork, but also increasingly outdoors thanks to improved formulas.
The benefits of water-based paint
Less odor and a healthier indoor climate
A major advantage: no strong paint smell.
Solvent-based paint contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate when drying. This not only causes odor but also leads to a less healthy indoor climate.
Waterborne paint contains far fewer VOCs, allowing you to breathe better during and after painting, making it ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and children's rooms.
Fast drying time: quicker to overcoat
Because the solvent is water, it evaporates much faster.
Result:
- Quicker to overcoat (often within a few hours)
- Less waiting time between coats
- Convenient if you work in occupied spaces
Easier to clean
After painting, you don't need to use turpentine or other solvents. Brushes, rollers, and splashes can simply be cleaned with water and a little soap. This not only saves money and effort but is also more environmentally friendly.
More environmentally friendly paint with fewer VOCs
Because waterborne paint emits fewer harmful substances, its impact on the environment is much smaller. Moreover, more and more brands are striving for biodegradable or circular formulas, allowing you to paint with peace of mind.
Colourfast and durable
Waterborne paint used to be known as "less strong" than solvent paint, but that time is over. Modern formulas are wear-resistant, colourfast, and scratch-resistant, perfectly suited for indoor use on walls, doors, and furniture.
Less yellowing
Solvent-based varnish tends to yellow over time, especially in dark rooms. Waterborne paint, on the other hand, remains beautifully white or true to color, even without much daylight.
Our step towards a fully water-based future
At Paintfactory, we believe that paint should not only be beautiful but also conscious and future-oriented. That is why almost our entire range is already waterborne today, from wall paint to varnish and primer. We will continue this step by step, with the aim of making our entire range waterborne in the long term. In this way, we are fully committed to quality, health, and sustainability, without compromising on color or result.
Do you want to paint with water-based paint, but are you unsure which paint suits your project? Visit one of our stores. We are happy to help you choose between water-based wall paint, varnish, primer, or facade paint, tailored to your substrate and desired finish.
