Emulsion, vinyl matt, silk or sheen? Choosing wall paint room by room

Walk into any hardware in Kenya and ask for wall paint and you will be asked three questions: inside or outside, which finish, and what budget. The labels do not always help. "Emulsion", "vinyl", "matt", "sheen", "silk", "trade", "economy": what is the actual difference, and which one belongs in your bedroom, your kitchen or your rental flats?

This guide explains it in plain terms, using the facts from our own data sheets.

The two big families: water-based and oil-based

Water-based paints (emulsions) are what most walls and ceilings in Kenya are painted with. You thin them with clean water, wash brushes in water, and they dry fast. All the wall paints in this guide are water-based except the gloss enamels.

Solvent-based paints (enamels or "oil paints") such as Super Gloss Enamel dry to a hard, glossy film and are thinned with white spirit. They are the right choice for metal, doors, windows and trims. On walls, most homeowners now prefer a washable water-based finish, which is easier to apply, quicker to recoat and does not smell for days.

What is the difference between emulsion and vinyl?

Both are water-based. The difference is the binder, the "glue" in the paint that holds the pigment to the wall.

• Plain emulsions in our Economy and trade ranges are styrene-based. They give a smooth, flat, decorative finish with good hiding power at a price that suits big jobs.
• Vinyl emulsions in the Colourtrend range use higher-performance binders. For example, our Vinyl Matt Emulsion is an acrylic co-polymer based washable emulsion. In practice that means a tougher, more washable film that copes better with everyday marks.

So: emulsion for value and large areas, vinyl where walls get touched, marked and cleaned.

The finishes, from flattest to shiniest

Matt. No shine. Hides small bumps and patching in the plaster. The classic choice for living rooms, bedrooms and ceilings.

Soft sheen / semi matt. A low lustre that catches the light gently and is easier to wipe than a flat matt.

Silk. A visible sheen that reflects light, brightening darker rooms, and cleans easily. It also shows wall imperfections more, so the plaster needs to be good.

Gloss. Enamels for wood and metal.

Our wall paints at a glance

Economy range: big jobs, tight budgets

• Emulsion: economical styrene-based emulsion, smooth flat finish, good hiding power. 20, 4 and 1 litres.
• Eco Emulsion: economical styrene-based emulsion, flat finish. 20 and 4 litres.
• Hi Build Emulsion: budget-friendly styrene-based emulsion with good hiding power. 20 and 4 litres.
• Plastic Distemper: an economical emulsion undercoat for interior walls that gives a smooth flat base, ready for an emulsion topcoat. 20 and 4 litres.

Trade grade: contractors, developers and rentals

• Master Matt Emulsion: trade-grade styrene emulsion for a smooth uniform matt on walls and ceilings. 20, 4 and 1 litres.
• Mastermatt Advantage Plus: our superior trade matt, with better hiding power than regular Master Matt. 20, 4 and 1 litres.
• High Matt Emulsion: interior matt for walls and ceilings, approximately 10 to 12 m² per litre per coat depending on porosity, recoat after 1 to 2 hours. 20 litres.

If you buy in volume, ask about trade pricing.

Colourtrend premium interior

| Product | Finish | Coverage per litre per coat* | Recoat | Best for | |---|---|---|---|---| | Vinyl Matt Emulsion | Matt | approx. 14 to 15 m² | 3 to 4 hours | Living rooms, bedrooms, ceilings | | Super Vinyl Matt Emulsion | Matt (velvety) | approx. 14 to 15 m² | 3 to 4 hours | Feature rooms, deep colours | | Vinyl Matt Sheen (Soft Satin) | Semi matt | approx. 11 to 15 m² | 1 to 2 hours | Hallways, children's rooms, dining | | Vinyl Silk Emulsion | Sheen | approx. 11 to 15 m² | 1 to 2 hours | Kitchens, bathrooms, busy areas | | Super Vinyl Matt Easyclean | Very low sheen | [to confirm] | [to confirm] | High-traffic walls where you want matt looks but washability |

*From our data sheets; actual coverage depends on how porous the surface is. All of these come in 20, 4 and 1 litre packs except where noted on the product page.

According to their data sheets, Vinyl Silk and Vinyl Matt Sheen resist grease, oil and stains, which is why we recommend them in kitchens and anywhere hands touch the walls. Super Vinyl Matt Easyclean uses stain-resistant polymers to give a washable surface with a very low sheen, for people who want the look of matt with easier cleaning.

Exterior walls

• Weather Guard Exterior: water-based matt for masonry, approximately 12 to 14 m² per litre per coat, recoat after 3 to 4 hours.
• Weather Guard Silicone Exterior: premium silicone masonry coating that repels water while letting the wall breathe. The one to choose for rain-exposed walls and damp-prone buildings.

Textured walls

Afri Cote Wallmaster is a pure acrylic textured coating with hard aggregates and UV-resistant pigments, applied with a trowel, with good crack-bridging ability. It covers about 1 m² per 2.5 to 3.0 kg and comes in 30 kg and 6 kg packs. Popular for gate pillars, boundary walls, façades and feature walls.

Room by room

| Room | Our suggestion | Why | |---|---|---| | Living room | Vinyl Matt or Super Vinyl Matt | Rich, flat colour; hides small plaster flaws | | Bedrooms | Vinyl Matt | Calm, non-reflective finish | | Children's rooms | Vinyl Matt Sheen or Easyclean | Wipes clean after crayons and hands | | Kitchen | Vinyl Silk | Resists grease, oil and stains | | Bathroom | Vinyl Silk; anti-fungal emulsion where mould is a risk | Wipeable; see our damp and mould guide | | Hallways and stairs | Vinyl Matt Sheen | Takes knocks and cleaning | | Ceilings | Vinyl Matt or High Matt Emulsion | Flat finish hides joins | | Rental units, large estates | Master Matt / Mastermatt Advantage Plus / Economy Emulsion | Good hiding at trade prices | | Outside walls | Weather Guard or Weather Guard Silicone | Built for sun and rain | | New plaster | Plastic Distemper as undercoat, then your topcoat | Even base, saves topcoat |

Three questions to ask before you buy

1. How long do I want it to look good? Premium vinyl costs more per litre, but it holds up to cleaning, so you repaint less often.
2. Who uses the room? Kids, tenants, kitchens and corridors need washable finishes.
3. How good are my walls? Silk shows every bump. If the plaster is uneven, go matt.

Not sure about colour? Try any Colourtrend shade on a photo of your own room in the visualiser. To work out quantities for a whole house, see how much paint a 3 bedroom house needs.

Frequently asked questions

Is vinyl silk better than vinyl matt? Neither is better overall. Silk is more wipeable and resists grease and stains, so it suits kitchens and bathrooms. Matt hides imperfections and looks softer, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and ceilings.

What is the difference between emulsion and vinyl paint? Both are water-based. Plain emulsions use a styrene binder and are good value. Vinyl emulsions use higher-performance binders (our Vinyl Matt is acrylic co-polymer based) for a tougher, washable finish.

Can I use interior paint outside? Use a paint made for exterior masonry, such as Weather Guard. Some of our vinyl emulsions are listed for interior and exterior use on their data sheets; check the product page.

Do I need an undercoat on new plaster? It helps. Plastic Distemper gives new interior walls a smooth flat base and saves on topcoat.

Find these paints at a stockist near you, or call +254 734 411 544.