house paint vs. gesso?

[devidmike]

Hi all~

My first time on this forum...does anyone have any insight on white latex/acrylic house paint vs. gesso for use as a primer under an oil painting? Seems to me that the major ingredient in both is an acrylic polymer emulsion. How much of a difference does it make to use an acrylic gesso primer rather than an oil primer? While at art school, I was taught to use white acryic gesso under an oil painting. Now that I'm selling and exhibiting, is it necessary to make the switch for conservation purposes? Thanks for any tips!