How to Choose Interior Paint

The type of paint you'll use depends on how the room to be painted will be used and the type of finish you want.

Interior paint is specifically formulated to provide:

Scrubbability and stain resistance
Good hiding ability
Good coverage
Spatter resistance
Easy touch-up

Latex or Oil?

Interior house paints are either latex- or oil/alkyd-based. Today, most oil-based paints are made with synthetic resins (alkyds), which makes them the best type of paint for interior walls when compared to paints based comprised on natural oils. Each has different characteristics and uses.

Your neighborhood Sherwin-Williams paint expert can provide advice about which paint is right for your project.

Latex

Get the longest-lasting finish with the best gloss retention. Sherwin-Williams latex paints are easy to work with, dry quickly and are extremely durable. Latex paints clean up easily with soap and water.

Oil/Alkyd

Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil/alkyd-based paints excellent choices for trim in high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Clean paint tools with mineral spirits.

Browse our interior latex and alkyd paints.