Painting Directory

Sometimes when your home starts to look a little bit out of date, a simple coat of paint is all that you need to bring it up to date. Not only does paint offer a huge impact in your room, but it is also a really affordable way to update any room in your house. While color is certainly an important component of your paint choice, there are several other factors that you should consider as well before you make your paint selection.

Before you even think of picking up a paintbrush, make sure that your surfaces are properly prepared. This means that all wood surfaces should be sanded and wiped clean with a tack cloth. If you have any virgin surfaces that you will be painting, make sure to give them a thin coat of primer before painting. Walls that already have paint on them should be thoroughly washed. If you have any water damage on walls or ceilings, make sure to seal those areas with a special primer that will keep the water stain from bleeding through the paint. When you are updating from a dark color to a lighter one, make sure to add a primer to your wall so that the dark color will not show through your new color.

After you prepare your walls, you need to think about what kind of paint finish is best for your situation. There are many choices ranging from high gloss enamel all the way to flat. Different finishes work for different applications, so how you use your rooms will determine the most appropriate finish to use for your paint.

Enamel
The highest gloss in paint is found in enamel, and enamel paint is also the most durable. It works well for wood trim, doors and garages. The primary advantage that it offers is that it is easy to clean, and it is extremely durable. High traffic areas or areas that need frequent clean up are the perfect application for high gloss enamel. The reason you would not want to use enamel everywhere throughout your home is that the high gloss finish is harsh, and it accentuates any imperfection in the surface.

Choosing from Gloss Varieties
It is important to know that not all varieties of gloss are the same. Some are shinier than others, and therefore, more durable. The trick is to find the paint with the least amount of shine that is durable enough for your room.

1. Semi-Gloss
When you have walls that you know you are going to be scrubbing frequently like the bathroom, kitchen or laundry room, then you will want to use a semi-gloss paint. It is a little less shiny than high gloss paint and almost as durable. So when you have to wash fingerprints, grime or grease from the surface of your walls, this paint will stand up to the challenge.

2. Satin
Satin is a nice middle of the road choice, for areas that might be a little more formal but may still need some clean up. It works well on doors, trim, walls and woodwork, and it has barely a gloss finish making it durable and washable. It works well anywhere a semi gloss paint works, so bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms can frequently do fine with a satin finish.

3. Eggshell
Closer to flat but still with a hint of shine is an eggshell finish. It is still reasonably durable, and it can still be easily washed. Since the shine is minimal, it does not highlight imperfections on a surface the way that high gloss paint does. Eggshell paint is particularly appropriate for older homes where you may have more than your fair share of dings in the woodwork.

4. Flat
The flat finish, while it has no sheen, provides one of the more formal finished available, but it is not particularly durable. If you have high traffic areas or areas that are going to get dirty, flat finishes will quickly begin to look grimy. One of the best applications for flat paint is the ceiling. The flat, matte finish is the best at hiding imperfections so it also gives your ceiling a flawless look.