Home Painting 101
Planning to give your home a refresher? Here's how to pick the right paint and color.
by John O'Brien
Painting can completely transform a home, whether it is inside or outside there is little else that will give you such a big bang for your buck. There are so many colors to choose from you don’t have to let this become overwhelming, take your time and consider a few things before you begin.
If you are going to paint the exterior of your home take a ride through some neighborhoods and see what color combinations appeal to you. Keep in mind any features of your own home that will factor in the color, such as the color of your roof. Are there any accents on your home like aluminum, stone or brick that won’t be changing color? Choose something that compliments them. Remember the color wheel with the warm colors on one side and the cool colors on the other. Any colors opposite are complimentary colors. Look at nature and see what colors look good together.
Living here in Florida color is unlimited. Everything is green year round and full of color. Our sun is very bright and a white house or too light of a color can become blinding and or wash out the color in the sun, so don’t be afraid of using color.
Paint factors to consider
With that said, there are a few things to consider when choosing a color, will the color last? It depends on the pigments used to tint the paint base. Organic pigment colors such as reds, blues, greens and yellows are more likely to break down over time. This can be seen as fading or a color change. Inorganic pigment colors such as beige's, browns, tans, and other earth-tone colors are more stable and less likely to break down over time.
Another consideration is, will it cover with one coat, two coats or will you need a primer coat? Factors such as the new color, the color it is going over and the quality of the paint that is used. A common misconception is that darker colors will cover, or "hide" the color it is covering better than lighter ones. With paint this is not always true. Darker colors are mixed in a paint base that is more translucent than lighter colors. This means it may possibly need more than one coat, depending on how dark the new color is.
Once you feel you have chosen the right color, get a sample and paint it on the wall and look at it at different times of the day.
Next you will have to choose the paint sheen; this is a personal preference decision. With a high quality paint there is little clean ability differences between the sheens. There are basically four types of sheens:
Go for Quality
Choose high quality paint, skimping on the quality of the paint will only hurt you in the long run. Higher quality paints have higher quality ingredients; they also possess more resins, which lend paint greater durability. Basically you get what you pay for.
If painting your home yourself isn’t an option many painting contractors offer free estimates. You might be pleasantly surprised at the cost of having a professional do all the work. However, you still have to choose the color!
Planning to give your home a refresher? Here's how to pick the right paint and color.
by John O'Brien
Painting can completely transform a home, whether it is inside or outside there is little else that will give you such a big bang for your buck. There are so many colors to choose from you don’t have to let this become overwhelming, take your time and consider a few things before you begin.
If you are going to paint the exterior of your home take a ride through some neighborhoods and see what color combinations appeal to you. Keep in mind any features of your own home that will factor in the color, such as the color of your roof. Are there any accents on your home like aluminum, stone or brick that won’t be changing color? Choose something that compliments them. Remember the color wheel with the warm colors on one side and the cool colors on the other. Any colors opposite are complimentary colors. Look at nature and see what colors look good together.
Living here in Florida color is unlimited. Everything is green year round and full of color. Our sun is very bright and a white house or too light of a color can become blinding and or wash out the color in the sun, so don’t be afraid of using color.
Paint factors to consider
With that said, there are a few things to consider when choosing a color, will the color last? It depends on the pigments used to tint the paint base. Organic pigment colors such as reds, blues, greens and yellows are more likely to break down over time. This can be seen as fading or a color change. Inorganic pigment colors such as beige's, browns, tans, and other earth-tone colors are more stable and less likely to break down over time.
Another consideration is, will it cover with one coat, two coats or will you need a primer coat? Factors such as the new color, the color it is going over and the quality of the paint that is used. A common misconception is that darker colors will cover, or "hide" the color it is covering better than lighter ones. With paint this is not always true. Darker colors are mixed in a paint base that is more translucent than lighter colors. This means it may possibly need more than one coat, depending on how dark the new color is.
Once you feel you have chosen the right color, get a sample and paint it on the wall and look at it at different times of the day.
Next you will have to choose the paint sheen; this is a personal preference decision. With a high quality paint there is little clean ability differences between the sheens. There are basically four types of sheens:
- Flat paint sheens provide a matte finish which tends to absorb light rather than reflect it and is more likely to hide imperfections.
- Satin/eggshell paint sheens are the most universal sheen used today; they offer a soft polished glow.
- Semi–gloss paint sheen is used mostly on doors, gutters, shutters and trim. It has a visible shine and can accentuate imperfections.
- Gloss paint sheen delivers the highest level of shine and is generally not recommended for exterior walls.
Go for Quality
Choose high quality paint, skimping on the quality of the paint will only hurt you in the long run. Higher quality paints have higher quality ingredients; they also possess more resins, which lend paint greater durability. Basically you get what you pay for.
If painting your home yourself isn’t an option many painting contractors offer free estimates. You might be pleasantly surprised at the cost of having a professional do all the work. However, you still have to choose the color!
Interior Painting Tips
Should we paint the interior of our home?
by John O'Brien
Ideally the interior walls of a professionally painted home should last at least 10 years but, do we all live in an ideal world? I know I don’t. High quality paint can last many years without failing; it is the abuse our walls endure that makes repainting a necessary task. Factors such as children, pets, traffic, a fireplace or smoking can all contribute to the necessity of painting. Also, if you are thinking of selling your home applying a fresh coat of paint can brighten and update rooms – looks that sell. Neutral color schemes are most often recommended by realtors, decorators and home stagers. Even if you’re not looking to sell your home, neutral colors can offer appealing combinations for furnishings, artwork and flooring. You can always use color in accessories or an accent wall, which can easily be changed.
Creamy whites, beiges with blue or green tones and pale grays are neutral families that work well in the great room/living area and in bedrooms. In the kitchen/dinning areas light warm colors such as pale tints of yellow, olive greens and hues of orange, all add brightness and help the light bounce from wall to wall. Warm whites are often the most popular color choice for bathrooms; they can brighten a small room, making it appear larger.
Don’t forget to check your ceilings. Water stains, holes and cracks should be repaired, and this also applies to the walls. A stain killing product should be used to coat any stains before painting. Generally, a flat paint finish is applied to ceilings. We look at ceilings from a different angle than the walls; light will shine across accentuating imperfections and any patterns taken to paint the ceiling. A flat paint finish doesn’t reflect light like other paint finishes, which helps diminish imperfections; it also tends to dry more evenly. When painting the walls a washable paint is recommended the sheen is a personal preference. A satin/eggshell finish is usually used because it is washable but may manufactures make a washable flat. Either semi-gloss or satin/eggshell is a good choice for baseboards, door frames and doors.
Know your paint, what type of paint was previously used? Oil based paints can be applied over latex based paints but it cannot be reversed. Latex painted over oil paint will not properly adhere which can cause crackling/peeling. This test can be useful in determining what type of paint is on a surface: Soak a clean rag in denatured alcohol and rub the surface, if the paint softens then it is latex.
Always get a sample of paint and paint it on the wall. Lighting can dramatically affect colors, carpeting, tile and furniture can also affect wall color. Look at your samples throughout the day; you might like it in bright natural light but not when the lights come on at night. After all do you really want to buy more paint, move your furniture and paint again?
Should we paint the interior of our home?
by John O'Brien
Ideally the interior walls of a professionally painted home should last at least 10 years but, do we all live in an ideal world? I know I don’t. High quality paint can last many years without failing; it is the abuse our walls endure that makes repainting a necessary task. Factors such as children, pets, traffic, a fireplace or smoking can all contribute to the necessity of painting. Also, if you are thinking of selling your home applying a fresh coat of paint can brighten and update rooms – looks that sell. Neutral color schemes are most often recommended by realtors, decorators and home stagers. Even if you’re not looking to sell your home, neutral colors can offer appealing combinations for furnishings, artwork and flooring. You can always use color in accessories or an accent wall, which can easily be changed.
Creamy whites, beiges with blue or green tones and pale grays are neutral families that work well in the great room/living area and in bedrooms. In the kitchen/dinning areas light warm colors such as pale tints of yellow, olive greens and hues of orange, all add brightness and help the light bounce from wall to wall. Warm whites are often the most popular color choice for bathrooms; they can brighten a small room, making it appear larger.
Don’t forget to check your ceilings. Water stains, holes and cracks should be repaired, and this also applies to the walls. A stain killing product should be used to coat any stains before painting. Generally, a flat paint finish is applied to ceilings. We look at ceilings from a different angle than the walls; light will shine across accentuating imperfections and any patterns taken to paint the ceiling. A flat paint finish doesn’t reflect light like other paint finishes, which helps diminish imperfections; it also tends to dry more evenly. When painting the walls a washable paint is recommended the sheen is a personal preference. A satin/eggshell finish is usually used because it is washable but may manufactures make a washable flat. Either semi-gloss or satin/eggshell is a good choice for baseboards, door frames and doors.
Know your paint, what type of paint was previously used? Oil based paints can be applied over latex based paints but it cannot be reversed. Latex painted over oil paint will not properly adhere which can cause crackling/peeling. This test can be useful in determining what type of paint is on a surface: Soak a clean rag in denatured alcohol and rub the surface, if the paint softens then it is latex.
Always get a sample of paint and paint it on the wall. Lighting can dramatically affect colors, carpeting, tile and furniture can also affect wall color. Look at your samples throughout the day; you might like it in bright natural light but not when the lights come on at night. After all do you really want to buy more paint, move your furniture and paint again?