Paintbrushes – Your Most Versatile Interior Decorating Tool

One of the most common paint tools is the paint brush. Before you buy a brush for your project, why not find a bit more about this versatile, durable tool?

Paint Brush History

No one knows who invented the first paint brush. Some nameless cave dweller picked up a few different objects to try paint scenes on the cave wall and decided one was a keeper. However, we do know that the ancient Chinese have been creating brush paintings for literally thousands of years. Europeans have been painting for quite a long time, too. Sometime during this time, someone decided bigger was better and developed a prototype for a brush to apply paint to walls. Today, paint brushes can be found everywhere in the world.

Paint Brush Types

You may be wondering why you need to find out about the types of paint brushes. After all, a paint brush is a paint brush, right? Actually, there are many different options when it comes to choosing a paint brush, from the type of bristles to the different handles.

The first thing you'll want to consider is the part of the brush that applies the paint. Bristles can be all natural, synthetic, or made from a combination of fibers. Natural fibers work best with oil based paint, while synthetic bristles perform well with latex paint. Another option is the sponge brush, which does not have any bristles at all.

The shape of the brush head is also important. Some brush heads are simply rectangular and flat. Others are tapered or round. They range from skinny to wide, with most brushes falling into the two and a half to six inch range. Some of these styles, such as the six inch rectangular brush, are better for applying a lot of paint to a wall fast, while others, such as the three inch sash brush, are great for cutting in around windows and doorways. Trim brushes are ideal for, as their name suggests, painting trim.

Another thing to look at is the brush's handle. Many DIY grade brushes are made with a plastic handle. They work fine for small tasks, but a few hours of holding that hard plastic is not very comfortable. Professionals typically opt for wooden handled brushes. They are extremely durable and can be a bit more comfortable than a seamed plastic handle. Comfort grip handles and wide handles are options that people with joint pain may want to try.