What is the difference between enamel and paint: a detailed comparison of the compositions

Currently, different types of paints are used to paint the walls in the room. Modern manufacturers offer customers a fairly wide range of finishing materials, which makes it easy to choose the best option for a specific surface. Increasingly, enamel paints are used to paint walls and ceilings, slightly differing from standard mixtures.

To understand what enamel is and what are its differences from ordinary paint, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition. An obligatory component of the base is varnish. Also included are various fillers and pigments to achieve the desired color. Another important component of enamel is white spirit or solvent.

Due to this composition, the substance is widely used for both indoor and outdoor work. Enamels adhere well to any surface, which greatly simplifies the staining process. This applies to wood, metal and even brick.

Experts recommend abandoning the use of such paints in rooms with fire hazardous conditions. This is explained by the fact that the varnish present in the enamel base is highly flammable. These mixtures have decent performance characteristics that distinguish them from many finishing materials.

Such compositions are characterized by good resistance to moisture, and they are also not afraid of negative influences from the environment.

It should be noted that modern manufacturers present to the attention of buyers several types of enamels. These include:

• Alkyd compounds. These finishing materials are durable and easy to work with. In addition, such compositions are often used for painting walls in rooms with high humidity.
• Polyurethane types. The main distinguishing quality of these options is wear resistance. They are often used in rooms with high traffic.
• Nitroenamel. The main component of these formulations is cellulose nitrate. A positive feature of such enamels is instant drying.

To begin with, it should be said that paint has a broader concept when compared to enamel. The main component of common types is linseed oil, which is brought to a boil during the production process. Unlike enamel, paints are used exclusively to color certain surfaces. Such compositions have completely different properties, which you should familiarize yourself with in more detail.

The consistency of regular paint is rather viscous. This is due to the fact that its basis includes such components as oil and drying oil. Latex and emulsion are used as additional components. In addition, components are necessarily included in the composition of a conventional paint, which, after being applied to the surface, form a film. Quite often, a solvent is added to the base so that the substance acquires a consistency that is convenient for application.

Today there are many types of varied paints. The most popular are water dispersion. The peculiarity of these options lies in the presence of special aqueous dispersions, which act as binding components.

Reliable silicate species are also in great demand. Artistic and glue paints are no less popular.

To understand which option is best to use for surface painting, you need to compare enamel and regular paint. To begin with, it must be said that the first type is used for surface finishing, forming a kind of thin glass layer after application. In addition, the enamel is exposed to high temperatures.

As for paints based on oil or water, they are used in order to give color to a specific surface. Do not forget that drying oil is used to dissolve pigments. If you use enamel, then a solvent is used for this purpose.

The main advantage of enamels over oil compositions is that they are used not only for painting rooms. Alkyd options are often used for facades. They are characterized by good stability and durability.

One or another surface should be given special attention after processing with similar compounds. When the enamel is applied, the coating becomes smooth and shiny. Paint treatment gives a slightly different result. After staining, the surface is dull and dull.

The difference between enamel and paint lies in their hardness and elasticity. The first option has higher performance characteristics. Under the influence of weather conditions or temperature changes, the paint can lose its original properties, which cannot be said about enamel.

The difference between these finishing materials is that enamels are used to treat certain objects... Paints are necessary for large surfaces. In addition, oil or other formulations will cost a little less than enamels.

In continuation of the topic, watch a video about the differences between enamel, paint and varnish.