What are the pros of latex spraying, and what are the cons? In short: spraying gives an even, smooth wall and ceiling and goes fast, but you pay with preparation time, you have to mask everything and the texture of the surface stays visible. On this page we set the pros and the cons of latex spraying side by side, without a sales pitch. Our spray work starts from €7.95 per m2 and the exact price is always in the quote. That way you can decide for yourself whether spraying suits your home, or whether rolling is more sensible.
The pros of latex spraying at a glance
If we summarise the pros of latex spraying, five come back. They apply to walls and ceilings in homes, and not every advantage is equally large in every situation.
- Speed: the manufacturer Wagner writes that even beginners apply paint four times faster than with a brush or roller (Wagner, as of 6 October 2026). That is a claim by a spray equipment manufacturer, so read it as a direction and not as a promise.
- Even result: there are no roller strips, overlaps or streaks. Especially on a large ceiling you see that difference in raking light.
- Coverage in two thin coats: we always spray two coats of latex, so that the colour is well closed.
- Less mess in the house: we mask windows and frames.
- Difficult spots: stairwells, high ceilings and walls with many corners are quicker to reach with a spray gun than with a roller on a long handle.
You can read more about the technique on our page about latex spraying.
Advantages of latex paint itself, apart from the spraying method
Many people also search for the advantages of latex paint. Latex (water-based wall paint) is the standard choice for interior walls and ceilings. A few advantages that are independent of the way it is applied:
- You can choose it washable. The higher the scrub class under NEN-EN 13300 (class 1 is the most washable), the better the paint withstands scrubbing.
- The paint dries quickly. The data sheet for Sigma Air Pure Supermatt gives dry after about 1 hour and overpaintable after 4 hours at 23 degrees and 50 per cent humidity.
- You get a calm, matt surface that shows small irregularities less than a glossy paint.
- Tools and paint residues can be cleaned with water.
Which quality suits which room is covered on the page about the scrub class of latex.
Disadvantages of latex spraying: what you should honestly know
The disadvantages of latex spraying include at least this. We would rather mention them in advance ourselves than have you discover them during the work.
- Preparation takes time. Spraying only goes fast once everything is masked. Floors, windows, frames, sockets and anything that must not get paint have to be covered. A large part of the working day is therefore preparation and clearing up, not the spraying itself.
- Spray mist. With airless spraying, overspray is created. Wagner advises wearing respiratory protection with overspray. That is why we work with covering and make sure the room is not used while spraying.
- The texture stays visible. Spraying does not cover a rough filled surface or textured wallpaper. According to Homedeal, existing texture stays visible, and a wallpapered or smooth, paint-ready (sausklaar) surface is the obvious choice. If you want a mirror-smooth wall, it first has to be plastered or filled.
- Furniture and floors have to go or be wrapped. Spraying a lived-in home is possible, but takes more covering work.
- Small repairs afterwards are visible if you touch up with a roller later. So keep a little paint from the same batch.
Higher paint consumption is often named as a disadvantage. Sources contradict each other on this and we have not found a reliable figure. That is why we quote no percentage here. The actual consumption depends on the surface, the paint and the set-up of the sprayer.
Want to know what the preparation of your home involves? We discuss that at the site visit, in advance. A quote is free.
Pros and cons of spraying latex paint in a table
Below you can see the pros and cons side by side, with what it means for you in practice.
| Point | Pro or con | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of spraying | Pro | Shorter time that the house is disturbed by painting work. |
| Even result | Pro | No roller strips or overlaps, especially nice on ceilings. |
| Preparation and masking | Con | Part of the quote goes on covering and clearing up. |
| Spray mist | Con | Cover the room and do not use it during the work. |
| Visible texture of the surface | Con | Decide in advance whether the wall first has to be smoothed. |
| Drying time of the paint | Pro | The second coat can follow quickly, according to the Sigma sheet after 4 hours. |
When is rolling more sensible than airless spraying?
Spraying is not always the logical choice. If you have one small room, a lived-in home with a lot of furniture that cannot go, or a wall that has to be touched up anyway, rolling may suit better. For a whole home, several ceilings or an empty or soon-to-be-empty home, spraying is often more practical.
We have worked out the comparison on the page rolling or spraying latex. It also shows what the difference in approach is. If your home is in Haarlem or Heemstede, look at latex spraying Haarlem or latex spraying Heemstede for local figures.
What is in our package and what does it cost?
Our packages for latex spraying start from €7.95 per m2 (Basic, standard latex, scrub class 3), from €9.95 (Medium, scrub class 2) and from €11.95 (High, scrub class 1). That is based on light colours and one colour per quote. The exact price is in the quote.
Many of the disadvantages are absorbed with a package in which the preparation is already included. With us that is included: advice on site, a check of the surface, masking of windows and frames, small repairs, hand sanding of walls and ceilings, filling of all inside corners, spraying in 2 coats, clearing up and handover. The full explanation is under price of latex spraying.
Your next step: do it yourself or have it done?
If you are considering trying it yourself, first read what that takes in materials and safety on our page about DIY latex spraying. If you cannot work it out afterwards, we come round for free to look and measure. Want a price straight away? Then choose to request a quote, or call +31 6 38048347, 7 days a week from 07:30 to 19:00.
Going to compare quotes? Then first read how you can go about choosing a latex sprayer on the basis of surface, masking, paint and experience.
Frequently asked questions
What are the pros of latex spraying?
The main pros are an even result without roller strips, a fast way of working, good coverage in two coats and convenience on ceilings and awkward corners. It is especially handy for a complete home or several rooms.
What are the cons of latex spraying?
The preparation takes time because everything has to be masked, spray mist is created and the texture of the surface stays visible. Spraying in a small room or a fully furnished home is therefore less practical than rolling.
What are the advantages of latex paint?
Latex paint is a water-based paint for interior walls and ceilings. You choose a scrub class with it, the paint dries quickly and you clean brushes or tools with water. With Sigma Air Pure Supermatt the paint is dry after about 1 hour.
What are the advantages of latex?
Latex is the usual paint for interior walls and ceilings. It gives a calm matt finish, comes in different qualities and colours, and can be washable. For woodwork you use lacquer, not wall paint.
Is latex spraying bad for my health?
With overspray, Wagner advises wearing respiratory protection. We shield the room and spray while nobody is in it. We have not found a reliable figure on air quality or ventilation time, so we do not quote one.
Is latex spraying more expensive than rolling?
That depends on the home. Spraying often takes more preparation per m2, but saves time on large surfaces. How the price is built up with us can be seen on the cost page. The exact price is in the quote.
Does the texture of my wall stay visible after spraying?
Yes, existing texture stays visible, also with textured plaster or rough filling. If you want a smooth wall, the surface first has to be plastered or filled. We discuss that at the site visit.
How long does it take for the paint to dry?
According to the Sigma Air Pure Supermatt data sheet, the paint is dry after about 1 hour and overpaintable after 4 hours, at 23 degrees and 50 per cent humidity. At lower temperatures it takes longer.
Can I have latex sprayed in a lived-in home?
That is possible, but it takes more covering work and you have to clear away small items and free up furniture or have it covered. You cannot use the room during spraying. We discuss this in advance and plan the days with you.
Do you also come outside Haarlem?
Yes, we work within a radius of 30 km around Haarlem. On the service area page you can see all municipalities and villages with the distance in kilometres. Request a quote and we will arrange a visit.
More about spray painting walls and ceilings
- spray painting in Haarlem
- latex spraying Amsterdam
- service area around Haarlem
- knowledge base on latex and lacquer spraying
- free quote
Written by Sander, latex sprayer at Meesterspuiters in Haarlem, with more than 10 years of experience in latex and lacquer spraying. Updated on 6 October 2026. More background in our knowledge base.
