5 Important Questions to Ask About Paints Before Buying

Read this beforehand to avoid disappointment!

Choosing paint seems easy at the start. Simply pick a shade you like and have it painted on your wall. That’s all… right?

Well, it turns out that there’s more to it than that. Other than picking the right shade, you’ll also need to consider how it looks in different lighting conditions, the type of paint finish, whether it’s free from VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds, which are icky compounds that emit nasty gases). And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

It’s a lot of information, we know. That’s why we got the folks over at Alora Paints, a homegrown paint company, to help us flesh this guide out.

1. What should I look out for while choosing paints?

When deciding on the paint they’d like to use for their home, the average homeowner tends to focus on simple points like price and colour range.

However, there are also lesser-known factors such as paint thickness and type of base, which will be discussed below:

Paint thickness (and how many coats to apply)

The last thing you want is paint that’s thin and watery – not only will you need extra coats of paint for coverage, but they also tend to wear out way more easily.

Generally, a thicker coat of paint provides better protection, a smoother appearance, and requires fewer coats to achieve good coverage. In the long run, that could save you time and money, since you’ll need less paint overall.

However, DIY folks should also note that applying too thick of a coat can result in uneven texture or cracking, so it’s best to paint in moderation. As for how much you need, simply fill out your details in Alora’s online paint calculator, and they’ll generate the number of paint cans you need for two coats of paint.

Those engaging a professional painter needn’t worry, since most (if not, all) of them will be aware of this.

Water vs oil-based paint

You may have read that some paints may have different bases, with the most common ones being water and oil-based paints. Here are the main differences between the two:

	Water-based paint	Oil-based paint
Finish	Lower sheen	Glossier sheen
Durability	Less durable to wear and tear, but also less susceptible to cracking	More resistant to wear and tear, but can crack over time due to age and high humidity levels
Drying speed	Dries faster	Dries slower
Environmental impact	Emits less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and have little to no odour	Tends to emit more VOCs and have a strong odour

Ultimately, the choice between water-based and oil-based interior paints largely depends on the area of use and personal preference. Due to their durability, oil-based paints generally are better for high-traffic areas like the kitchen, while water-based paints are easier to work with and are better for the environment.

2. What type of paint finish should I get?

As different types of paint finishes have different uses, there isn’t one specific type that’s better than the rest. So, to give you an idea on what you may need, here are the common paint finishes you’ll encounter as well as their uses:

Matte: a low-lustre, non-shiny paint finish with a rich coverage that looks great in homes of any aesthetic
Satin: a paint finish with a smooth, subtle shine that naturally lets it hide minor imperfections. It’s also easy to clean and maintain, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms.
High-gloss trim: a shiny paint finish that reflects light the most. As it’s the most durable paint finish, it’s best used in places that are handled the most, like cabinets, doors, and trims.

Unlike most paints on the market, all of Alora’s paints are available in any finish you like – in fact, every shade of paint on their website is customisable to your needs!

Besides choosing between a matte, satin, or high-gloss finish, you can also top up for optional anti-mould and antibacterial upgrades. Once you’ve made your decision, they’ll mix it all up for you and then deliver it to your doorstep. Talk about convenience!

3. Wall paints often don’t end up looking like how I envisioned it. How can I avoid this?

You’ve probably seen it happen it before – you choose a paint colour you love in theory, only for it to look vastly different when it’s up on the wall.

This is usually due to different lighting conditions as a result of things like room-facing direction, time of day, and choice of lighting. Here’s a short breakdown of how this affects the way colour appears:

Room orientation and natural light

	Lighting conditions	Recommended paint colours
North-facing room	Receives cool light throughout the day	Dark or warm colours; avoid lighter shades, especially those with grey undertones
South-facing room	Receives warm light throughout the day	Soft, cool colours; avoid vibrant, intense shades
East-facing room	Warm light in the day, cool light in the late afternoon and evening	If you use the room more often in the day: light, cool hues If you use the room more often in the evening: warmer hues
West-facing room	Cool light in the day, warm light in the late afternoon and evening	If you use the room more often in the day: warmer shades If you use the room more often in the evening: light, cool hues

Choice of lighting at home

Other than natural lighting, the type of lighting you choose for your home can also affect the way paint looks, where warmer lights will make colours appear more saturated, while those with cooler lights will make those same colours appear more muted.

The best way to visualise how paint looks in a room

Still, buying paint online can be like buying clothes online – sometimes, you need to try it in real life before making a decision.

That’s why Alora lets you put your favourite colours to the test with their swatch stickers, which come in 200 mm x 200 mm sizes that you can easily stick to your walls (and peel off when you’re done).

To test, Alora recommends leaving the swatch sticker in the room throughout the day, which will let you see how the colours appear in different lighting conditions throughout the day. The best part? Alora will also deliver these samples to you, completely free of charge.

4. Is this particular paint safe for young children/pets/people with respiratory issues?

You know that strong smell you get with paint? That’s from the VOCs – which, in high amounts or with constant exposure, can lead to headaches, skin irritation, and even nausea.

So, as much as possible, you should steer clear of paints that emit VOCs – especially if you’re living with young children, pets, or people with respiratory issues.

For peace of mind, all of Alora’s paints contain near zero VOCs, with a low odour formula that keeps the air free from putrid scents.

Alora is also Singapore’s only paint company that is a Carbon Neutral Certified company, and have also earned double-green certifications for their Matte and Satin paints. So, not only are their paints safe for you – it’s also safe for the environment.

5. How often should I repaint my walls?

How often you repaint your walls ultimately depends on several factors – like the quality of paint, the type of finish, and the amount of wear and tear the walls experience.

Usually, most homeowners repaint their walls every 3 to 5 years – but feel free to wait a little longer if your walls are still in good condition.

However, it’s better to repaint ASAP if your walls are already showing signs of peeling or cracking, as it’ll not only improve the appearance of your walls, but also minimise the build-up of dirt, dust, and allergens.

Alora: your all-in-one paint company with environmentally-friendly interior paints

Whether it’s to refresh a room or for painting an entire home, Alora is your convenient go-to for all things paint-related. For help painting, you can engage their in-house painting services by reaching out via Whatsapp.

Additionally, Alora also offers doorstep delivery. With a flat rate of $6, you can get the paint of your choice delivered right to your doorstep, sparing yourself the time and hassle of transporting them yourself.

And to sweeten the deal, they’re currently running a promotion that’ll give you 15% off any interior paint with a minimum purchase of SGD 50! Simply key in the code SPRINGMAKEOVER15 during checkout and enjoy getting the paint you like at a fraction of the price.

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