What Is In Your House Paint?

We apply house paint for many uses, including protection, sanitation, and beautification.

What Is In House Paint?

Many Atlanta painting companies sell different brands and colors of paint. But they are all made of the same basic components.

Let’s look a little closer at what house paint is made of.

Pigment

The pigment is a major component of paint, as it gives it a unique color that allows you to be creative in your home. It also controls gloss.

It is a finely ground powder suspended in a liquid base that does not dissolve.

In early history, pigments were derived from organic substances like plants and animal products. However, almost all of them now are man-made chemicals, allowing for them to be inexpensively made and consistent through each batch.

Resin

The resin, also called the binder, holds all of the components together. It encapsulates the pigment and allows the paint to bind onto whatever surface it is being painted on.

It influences the flexibility, toughness, and durability of the paint.

Solvent

The solvent is the liquid part of the paint that you actually see when you paint it on the wall.

It holds the pigment and the resin and evaporates once the paint dries, leaving the color and paint film to be enjoyed. It allows for the right consistency.

Cheap paints have a higher concentration of solvent, meaning that you are applying more solvent and less of the other components.

Additives

Additives in paint are optional but can also be very helpful.

Depending on the type of paint you want, there can be many additives included. For example, adding in silicone can help weather resistance, while adding in driers can help the drying time of the paint.

Other reasons to use additives include improving how the paint flows, mold resistance, better sticking, and scuff resistance.

Why Was Lead Removed From House Paint?

In the early 1900s, lead was used as an additive in the paint to increase durability and decrease moisture that caused corrosion. However, studies were released over the years, showing that children who ate lead paint suffered from neurological disorders and even death.

In 1971, lead was banned from being used as an additive in household paint in the United States.

Knowing what is in house paint can help you to choose not only the best-quality paint but also the right paint for your needs. There are painting companies in your area that can help you to make the right choice for your home.