How we supply it: Interior paints are arranged through a partner paint dealer who quotes, supplies and bills them and pays us a referral commission. Paint is the last stage on site, so we schedule it after your sand, block and tile deliveries are done, in the shade codes you choose.
In one line: Interior emulsion is a water-based paint in which an acrylic or vinyl resin binds the pigment into a washable film as the water evaporates.
Emulsion vs distemper
| Point | Acrylic emulsion | Distemper |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Smooth, matt to sheen | Flat, chalky |
| Washable | Yes, wipes clean | No, marks rub in |
| Time before repaint | Several years | Shorter |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Damp-prone rooms | Anti-fungal grades available | Poor |
What emulsion is made of
Interior emulsion is a water-based paint in which an acrylic or vinyl resin binds the pigment into a washable film as the water evaporates. Distemper uses chalk or whiting with a much weaker binder, which is why it rubs off on a damp cloth.
Oil-bound distemper (OBD) sits between the two: tougher than dry distemper, still not as washable as emulsion.
Sheen levels by room
Higher sheen shows every ripple in the plaster. If the walls are not perfectly flat, stay matt or satin.
| Sheen | Look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Matt (flat) | No shine, hides wall flaws | Bedrooms, living rooms, ceilings |
| Satin (soft sheen) | Low shine, easier to wipe | Passages, dining, children's rooms |
| High sheen | Shiny, most washable | Kitchens and utility areas |
Litres per room and per house
Typical estimate: two coats of emulsion cover about 5–6.5 m² (54–70 sq ft) per litre in total on primed putty, and walls plus ceilings come to about 3–3.5 times the carpet area.
- 12 × 12 ft room, walls and ceiling (about 584 sq ft): 8–11 litres for two coats
- 1,000 sq ft carpet area: about 3,000–3,500 sq ft to paint, roughly 43–65 litres of emulsion
- Primer for the same house: roughly 27–41 litres, one coat
Checks before and after painting
- Read the cans: interior emulsion, sheen, batch number and date; mix cans of one shade together in a bucket before use if batches differ.
- For tinted shades, get the tint code written on the invoice so a later top-up matches.
- Stir to the bottom; there should be no lumps or hard settlement.
- Paint a sample patch on the real wall and look at it in daylight and under tube light before buying all the cans.
- Once cured, wipe a corner with a damp cloth: no colour should come off.
Storing paint during the job
- Keep cans closed in a shaded room, never on the terrace in summer sun.
- Mark each opened can with the shade code and the room.
- Keep one sealed litre per shade for touch-ups after the electricians and carpenters finish.
Painting mistakes in new houses
- Final coat before carpentry and electrical work ends; it gets scuffed and patched.
- Choosing a shade from a small chip; colours look darker on a full wall.
- Over-thinning to stretch coverage.
- High sheen on wavy walls.
- Ordinary emulsion in bathrooms and on walls that stay damp; use an anti-fungal grade and fix the damp.