Saturday 16 June 2012

Step 1 - Planning - Paint Selection


The first step in Step 1 of planning is choosing the right paint. This is determined by several different factors such as: what the room is used for, type of surface and desired finish you are looking for. We have good news for you though, interior paint is now formulated to provide:

·         scrub ability and stain resistance

·         good hiding ability

·         good coverage

·         spatter resistance

·         easy touch ups

eliminating most of the guess work!

The next question is latex or oil based paint? Both have different benefits and depends on which characteristics and uses. Latex is the easiest to work with. It dries quickly, extremely durable and cleans up nicely with just soap and water. Oil paints have good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance, which are great for high traffic rooms such as your kitchen and bathrooms.


You must also keep in mind the surface in which you are painting. There is paint best suited for ceilings, woodwork, walls, metal, masonry and floors.

Here's a few tidbits about each

Ceiling - generally specifically formulated flat paint. It hides irregularities and lap marks, and rolls on with minimal spatter and won't yellow over time.

Woodwork - both latex and oil paint are okay to use on this surface. Always prime bare wood for best results. Easy-to-clean semi gloss finishes are the first choice, but when wear-and-tear is modest, flat or satin finishes are okay to use.

Walls - Latex is an excellent choice for walls because it's so easy to work with and just as durable as oil based paints.

Metal - use either latex or oil based paint on properly primed iron or steel. You can apply latex directly on aluminum and galvanized metal after primed with an oil based primer.

Masonry - on cement and brick surfaces acrylic latex wall paint designed specifically designed for masonry surfaces will work out beautifully  

Now that's all out of the way, we need to choose a finish. Of course, this all depends on the room and desired look. From flat to gloss, both latex and oil there is a full range of finishes.

Once again, here's a few tidbits about each

Flat - this matte appearance softens a room and helps hide imperfections, leaving the walls looking smooth. A flat finish is great because you can clean with just a damp sponge. It's ideal for:

·         adult bedrooms

·         dining rooms

·         formal living rooms

·         ceilings

Satin - has a slight gloss, and offers the benefit of flat finish with added clean ability. Best suited for high traffic areas such as:

·         halls

·         woodwork

·         children's bedrooms

·         family rooms

Semi-gloss - super durable and perfect for areas that are cleaned frequently such as:

·         kitchens

·         bathrooms

·         utility areas

·         closet doors

·         trim

Gloss - this extremely hard finish is perfect for items that are used frequently such as:

·         wood trim

·         cabinets

·         doors

·         furniture

Flat Enamel - a non-reflective appearance that helps conceal surface imperfections while providing some wash ability

Matte - this flat finish hides imperfections beautifully and its angular shine provides a smooth look, it's also washable!

Eg-shel - Great for walls! It has a slight hint of shine and holds up great to cleaning

Medium-Lustre - being a higher gloss finish, this finish is perfect for doors and trim

We understand that this can be a very confusing process for many people and are more than happy to help you find the best fit for you. Don't hesitate to call Trendz Painting at 778-887-8763 for further information catered to your needs.

Stay tuned for more on Step 1 - Planning, now you have the paint you'll need your utensils!  We'll help you choose the best suited brush, roller and more.

No comments:

Post a Comment