Different Types of Paint Brushes for DIY Painting at Home
Imagine you’re scrolling on social media and see a beautiful DIY brick limewash or trendy DIY interior accent wall. You love the look of the paint job and start thinking about that ugly exterior brick on your home or that plain, boring room that you’ve been wanting to paint. You start getting all sorts of ideas about the gorgeous paint jobs you can do and even start looking up paint swatches. But then you realize that you have no idea what paint brushes you should be using. It can feel like quite the roadblock when you have creative DIY aspirations for your home but don’t know what supplies you need to get the job done.
Luckily, you’ve come to just the right place! This article will walk you through all the different paint brushes you might need for a home project and how to use them. You’ll have your dream DIY project completed in no time with this helpful guide. Keep in mind that the right paintbrush is only effective when you have the right type of paint for your project. To know what kind of paint you should be using, scroll to our “Choosing the Right Paint” section at the bottom!
Interior Paint Brushes
When choosing your interior paint brushes, keep in mind there are a variety of qualities you can choose from. There are different paintbrush and handle sizes as well as different types of bristles including natural bristles normally made from animal hair, and synthetic bristles made from nylon or polyester. When it comes to paintbrush sizes, a few common sizes are 1-1.5 inch, 2-2.5 inch, 3 inch, or 4 inch. It may take some experimentation to find the right fit for your hand or your project.Often, different types of bristles are matched to different types of paint. For example, a natural paint bristle works best for oil-based stain or paint. Here are a few common types of interior paint brushes.
Angled Paint Brushes
Angled paint brushes allow you to get paint into hard-to-reach spots in an easy and clean way. This paintbrush would be a great choice if you’re painting tight corners, crown molding, and intricate wood details. Most interior spaces have some details that require an angled paint brush, even if it is just working around the edges of windows and corners of rooms.
Straight Paintbrushes
Straight paintbrushes are a great choice when you’re trying to quickly and easily paint a large, flat, open space without small details. However, if you choose to use a straight paintbrush to paint a large, empty wall, you might be working for quite a while. Consider pairing this brush with a paint roller for the most time-effective result.
Round Paint Brush
A round paintbrush has a circular, curved shape and flexible bristles. This paintbrush will work well for painting areas that have rounded details, such as the edge of a countertop or a curved windowsill.
Paint Rollers
Paint rollers can hold a lot of paint after they’re dipped into a paint tray. They can also put down a coat of paint in only a few minutes. For this reason, they’re a popular choice for DIYers trying to paint large surfaces quickly.
Paint Pads
Paint pads function similarly to paint rollers. Instead of rolling them across a wall, you simply slide them, spreading the paint quickly and easily.
Exterior Paint Brushes
The products you’ll use for an exterior paint job can differ from interior paint supplies because of the material you’ll be painting. Instead of spreading paint along smooth walls and trim, you’ll be possibly spreading paint on rough bricks, uneven stone, and textured exterior siding. However, you can also use the same painting products you would use on an interior surface, depending on the results you’re looking for.
Exterior Brush Painting
You can paint your exterior with a brush if you want to maintain control, despite the amount of time your painting might require. This could be ideal if you’re painting around details such as windows.
Exterior Spray Painting
Using a paint sprayer can help you to cover large surfaces with paint more quickly. A paint sprayer can also help you to get a professional-looking, even result. Just make sure you use the proper safety equipment so you don’t inhale unsafe chemicals.
Exterior Roll Painting
Using a paint roller to do your exterior painting can work efficiently if you have a smooth exterior surface, such as stucco or vinyl siding. But it may not work as well on rough surfaces such as brick or stone that can’t be evenly painted with a straight, inflexible paint roller.
Choosing the Right Paint for Your Project
When you’re shopping for paint for an interior project, one of your biggest priorities should be to find eco-friendly and home-friendly paint with low levels of chemicals. Paint containing chemicals, such as VOCs, can have a negative impact on the health of your family members, particularly if you have any babies in your home. So, when you’re looking for the right paint for your home, don’t only look for the right color. You should also make sure you’re buying your paint from a trustworthy brand that puts your heath first when they’re creating their products. Vista Paint is such a company. We have low or nonexistent levels of VOCs and always stock our shelves with the trendiest and most vibrant paint colors. You can even order paint samples from them to help you in deciding on a paint color!
When you’re shopping for an exterior painting project, make sure you find paint that is damage and scratch resistant. Your exterior paint job will go through a lot with harsh weather and elements, and you’ll want to ensure that it will stand the test of time. Nothing is more annoying than needing to repaint only a few years later because you didn’t use high-quality paint. It is also helpful to find a paint brand that is eco-friendly, so your paint job doesn’t negatively impact your surroundings.