About Interior House Painting

Considering interior house painting? Are your interior walls of your home looking a little dull? Maybe you’re tired of white or off-white walls and want to liven up things. If this is you, then take note, there a few things you may want to consider before you pull out the paint rollers and start your interior painting project. Interior house painting makes for great weekend DIY projects. The fall and winter months are a good time to take on this task. By the time Spring rolls around your home can have a fresh new look. Interior color trends change, so you want to know what’s hot and what’s not.

Before you head out to the nearest home improvement or paint store, check-out these 4 things you need to know about interior painting.

1. Don’t Be Afraid of Color

Color is everywhere so why settle for boring when it comes to the interior paint color of your home. Be bold and daring and transform each room with its own unique theme. Or find a color theme to play with throughout the house.

You can even create contrast by using a satin finish in one room and a matte finish in another. Or you can stick with a semi-gloss on every wall. But be ware, semi- gloss will emit a bit of shine.

The goal is to step out of your comfort zone and try new colors.

2. Let Technology Help You Choose

Don’t spend hours or days going back and forth to the paint store in search of the perfect paint color. Plus, those sample cards can often be off if the lighting isn’t right. Thanks to technology, you can now paint your wall virtually with apps you can download to your phone.

Each app has its own feature. Some are from the makers of specific interior paint brands.

3. Measure Rooms to Get the Correct Amount

Don’t make extra work by running back and forth to the store to buy extra paint. You also don’t want to get stuck with too much paint.

Measure your room from ceiling to floor and corner to corner. You will also want to measure the size of both the doors and windows in the room.

Once you have the area of the space, multiply by 2 to cover the two coats you will most likely need. If you choose not to prime your walls you may need additional paint. It is best to buy paint that already has the primer included. Do your homework to understand paint quality.

4. Mix Gallons for Uniformity

Just because the paint you buy is mixed using the same formula, it doesn’t mean it will be uniform once applied to your walls.

To avoid this issue, get a 5 gallon bucket from your home improvement store and mix the cans of paint. In painting terms this is often referred to as boxing the paint together. If the container does not come with a lid you may need to pour it back in the original cans. Otherwise, you will need to get your painting done in one day.

 

What’s a Monochromatic Color Scheme?

When colors are in harmony with each other you can call them monochromatic. Harmony doesn’t mean every color is the same. Instead, you’ll have a well-balanced room with dramatic color variations.

For example, you could choose a gentle red color for the main interior walls. Then use different hues of red for your decorations. Have fun and be creative as you play with your interior palette.

Smoothly Transition Room Colors

One of your goals should be continuity from room to room. If one room has a cold wintery feel, the next room shouldn’t be a brilliant red theme. Instead, the next room could be more silver than white and slowly you can transition to louder colors.

One way to help the rooms tie together is to get multi-colored decorations. Ideally, you should find several decorations that all use the same 3 colors. Let’s say you find garlands that use gold, silver, and red. Then you can use paints in separate rooms, using those colors.

One room will be gold, one silver and one red themed. In a common living area, you’ll use the multi-colored garlands. While each room expresses its own individuality, the entire home will be one visual delight.

 

Oil-Based Versus Water-Based Paint

There are options when it comes to what type of paint to choose for your home interior. There are several different kinds of water and oil based paints. We won’t be able to cover them all. But here are a few of the standard varieties.

Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paint typically dries more slowly. This will increase the chances of it leveling and eliminating brush strokes. Oil based paints are used for several applications. As it pertains to interior house painting, it’s typically applied on wood or interior trim. surfaces. But with everything there is always a drawback. Oil-based paint is more likely to turn yellow, crack, or fade were there is little light. Especially on the back sides of closets door.

Another thing to consider is the fumes of oil paint. Oil-based paint is considered a household hazardous waste.

It’s flammable and has to be disposed of properly. It has extremely high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like toluene and xylene.

Oil-based paints are also notoriously difficult to clean. If you get paint on a surface, you need to clean it with a toxic chemical such as mineral spirits or denatured alcohol.

Water-Based Paint

Water-based paint – also known as acrylic or latex paint – dries faster and is less likely to turn yellow over time. It also doesn’t give off those strong fumes. If you get paint on interior surfaces, you can easily clean it up with water and soap.

In fact, water-based paint is more environmentally-friendly. It’s not considered a hazardous waste. Just make sure you purchase an acrylic enamel if your searching for comparable durability of oil.

 

Never Underestimate the Primer

One of the keys to getting a great, even finish is priming your walls before you paint your walls. The primer evens out small differences in texture and color. It also helps paint cover better if you’re painting over a bright or dark color.

Primer is especially important if you have patches or holes in your wall. These materials can interact with paint in a different way so the texture looks different. A primer will even it out so you that after you paint, you can’t even tell the patch existed.

However, professional interior house painters that have a high level of product knowledge may be able to recommend specific paint products that are less likely to flash.

 

Quality and Color

Another huge factor to consider, of course, is the cost of the paint! Some contractors will offer you a specific set of colors and/ or products that are already included in their price and fees. Others will require you to buy your own paint upfront, it really just depends on who you go through.

If you are purchasing your own paint, the quality and color will make a big difference. Some paint colors are difficult to achieve, and will, therefore, cost more to purchase. Therefore, hiring a full service painting contractor maybe the way to go. They should be able to offer recommendations based on the painters experience applying several colors and products.

Some paints have a much higher value because of the sheen, the thickness, ease of use, and more. A cheap bucket of paint can cost as low as 15 bucks. However, in most cases you will end up using more product due to lack of coverage. While it may be tempting to buy the cheap stuff, especially when you’re going to be needing 10-plus buckets for a whole home job, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.

Whereas, some ‘higher end’ paints can cost up to $70 or more for a bucket! In most cases, they are simply overpriced and you will never see the real value for the additional cost associated with such a premium.

Picking quality paint will give you better-looking results that require fewer coats and last much longer. Keep that in mind when pricing or receiving recommendations.

TIPS TO GETTING BETTER COMMERCIAL PAINTING RESULTS

One of the tricky parts of owning a business is getting the perfect look for your building. You want to appear professional and interesting in order to differentiate your business from your competition. Take the right steps to get great results from your commercial painting project to enhance the look of your building and your business. Here are five tips for getting better results.

Choose the Right Colors

While you want your business to catch the eye of potential customers, be careful to select colors that will attract attention without being overpowering. Having one bold-accent wall can really make a statement, but remember: less is more when it comes to very bright colors. By selecting a calm color palette, you can avoid overwhelming your customers. Adding bold color through pictures, pillows, and other small elements are temporary and less expensive ways to add a pop of color

Take the Time to Clear the Work Area

When commercial painting companies start a job, you won’t see them start applying color until the room is fully prepped. Before a contractor can begin prepping the room, they will need your employees to clear their work area. The best thing to do to expedite your painting project is to clear off work stations, remove art from the walls, and push light-weight furniture to the center of the room. By doing this yourself, you can save money on prep time (a cost of hiring the painting crew).

Use Primer

While some individuals may think that primer is an unnecessary step, many professionals say otherwise. Having that barrier in between the wall and your new layer of paint can prevent the color from turning dull once it dries and it can also help it to last longer. This problem often occurs because the compound used to fill holes and imperfections can pull the moisture right out of your freshly applied paint. If you are painting over a bright or deep color, primer is a good way to protect the integrity of the new color.

 

TIPS FOR PAINTING YOUR COMMERCIAL BUILDING

AVOID COMPLICATIONS BY FOLLOWING THESE STEPS

Painting your commercial building is an investment that should be approached strategically in order to avoid complications with the public while still getting the work completed and the look you want. A good paint job can create a positive first impression that encourages customers to come back to your premises over and over. Therefore, updating the look of your property with a fresh paint job is important for your business.

Consider the scope of the project

Take the time to consider the scope and extent of your painting project. How many buildings will need to be painted? How long do you have to complete the project? You should also consider what time of year would be most convenient to carry out the painting.

Choose the right color

Choosing the right color for your exterior commercial real estate is often an overlooked aspect. The right colors will make your buildings more attractive and appealing to customers. In fact, color choice could be the difference between a dull property and a dazzling masterpiece.

Adhere to high standards of safety

The safety and health concerns of your clients and tenants should be a top priority. Make sure you select the right paint that causes minimal health risks to people present in the space. Give preference to odorless paints to avoid problems for customers while you are open, during and/or immediately after the project occurs.

Consider additional services

Your commercial exterior painting project should involve more than just painting outside walls. The success of your project will also depend on additional services such as pressure washing, caulking, proper stripping and sanding, and restoration work to make sure the building looks at its best.

 

How to choose the Best Commercial Painting Company: Your Complete Guide

In this age of DIYs, a business owner may get tempted to do the painting job on their own to save on costs. However, it’s rare that you get to save huge amounts of money doing this. Sometimes, you spend even more.

That’s because you may spend as much as twice the amount of time it takes for a professional to complete the job. This time is better spent on building your business, which gives you better ROI. Hiring a commercial painting company also saves you from having to fix your mistakes.

Make a List of Painting Contractors

The first thing to do is to find potential contractors for the job. Google is the best place to look. But you can also ask your friends, family, and neighbors for any recommendations. This is more preferable than getting names off Google. As long as you trust the judgment of the people you asked, you’ll get introduced to a reliable company. When you drive home from work, look around for ads and physical stores of painting companies.

Get Estimates for Their Painting Services

Next, ask for their quotations for the painting job you need. This step should be free. You must already have a set budget in mind. Cross out those that get back to you with an estimate that’s way higher than your budget.

Factors When Choosing a Commercial Painting Company

The price isn’t the only thing you should look at when choosing a reputable commercial painting company. You should also look at the following information, which you can get by asking.

 

Must-Know Tips on Finding and Hiring the Right Painter for You

It’s a new year and that means it’s time for more home improvement projects. While exterior painting is best reserved for summer and fall, interior painting projects can be done right now. But first, you’ll have to find a reputable painter.

Painting projects may seem easy at first but it’s really best left to the professionals. They can get the job done in just a few days, or even hours, depending on the project. Besides that, you won’t have to worry about the mess – they’ll take care of everything!

Reputation

Before you hire a painter you need to be aware of their reputation in the community. Look for painters that have performed high-profile jobs. Also, ask former clients about the work performed and the quality of the products.

Licensing

Professional painters must be licensed to do business in their state. In Texas, the license is no different than that required for any business (Texas Sales and Use Permit), but confirming that you are working with a legitimate business provides a variety of protections to you.  Make sure that your painter can provide a copy of their license and license number as verification before they start a job.

Experience

Just because a painter answers an ad for painters for hire doesn’t mean that he or she has the experience to back up their query. Make sure your painter can provide a portfolio of previous work.

 

How to Hire the Best Commercial Painter

Are you a facilities manager or property owner? Do you need to hire a painter to freshen up the look of your buildings? If you’ve never had your building painted professionally, or if you have and weren’t satisfied with the results, how do you choose a professional commercial painter? This article provides tips for hiring a commercial painter who will provide quality results and great service

Commercial Painting Experience

First of all, don’t hire an amateur. You may be tempted to save some money by hiring some college kids or a handyman to paint your facility. What you’ll likely get is a shoddy end result because they aren’t knowledgeable about the specific requirements and processes required for commercial painting

Reputation

Regardless of the amount of experience a commercial painter has, you need to know that he’s going to do a good job. How can you tell if he hasn’t worked for you yet?

Communication

When you contact a company, whether it’s by phone, email, online or another method, you should expect a quick response. Granted, a business line may not be answered 24/7, but you should receive a response within no more than 24 hours.

Free Estimates

A commercial paint contractor should be willing and able to provide an accurate and free estimate on your project. They will make an appointment to visit your location and assess the site. They’ll solicit specifications from you, answer questions, and provide recommendations. They will then document the details of the project and present it to you for review and approval.

WHAT IS FAUX PAINTING?

This is a decorative painting technique where the finish mimics another material, like granite, fabric or wood. You may also hear this decorating technique referred to as faux finishing.

When you create a faux finish, you add texture or dimension to your home. This is often done on walls and ceilings, but you can also experiment with these techniques on doors and furniture too.

This type of painting is often trickier than traditional paint jobs, but there are some methods, such as sponging, that are easy enough for beginners. You can hire an artist or home improvement company for important projects, but you may feel comfortable enough to tackle this technique on your own after reading our guide.

 

Preparation for Stone Faux Painting

Start the process by preparing and priming the surface as described in the list below. It’s best to tint your primer to the same color you will be using for the base coat to make coverage easier. For the base coat, an eggshell paint finish will most closely simulate a real stone look. Either latex or oil-based paint can be used for base coating, but latex will be easier to work with. For shiny stone like polished granite, a clear coat of shellac or varnish can be applied after the faux painting is done to complete the effect.

1. Ceramics and Glass: prepare these surfaces using denatured alcohol to wipe the surface clean, Use an alkyd based primer and an alkyd base coat. Or to save time the primer can be used as the base coat. Tint the paint following the instructions in the next section before application. Allow each coat to dry for 12 to 24 hours.
2. Wood: remove any peeling paint from wood surfaces, sand the finish, and apply a latex or alkyd primer to any bare wood. Allow the primer to dry and apply a latex base coat tinted following the instructions in the next section.
3. Metal: remove any rust from the surface using a wire brush, sandpaper, or steel wool and then prime the rust spots with a rust inhibiting primer. When the rust inhibitor is dry apply a coat of white alkyd-based or metal primer tinted following the directions in the next section. Allow 24 hours for drying.
4. Plaster and Drywall: remove any peeling paint and repair any water damage or other major wall damage. Prime any new drywall or plaster repairs with flat latex paint. Base coat the wall with two coats of latex paint tinted following the instructions in the next section. See Drywall and Plaster Repair for more about wall prep.
5. Plastic: plastic doesn’t typically hold a painted finish well but for plastic objects that won’t see high traffic, like vases or picture frames, a faux finish can be applied. Prime plastic with a general purpose spray paint and use it as the base coat as well. A gray paint will do for most of these finishes otherwise use a light brown spray paint.

 

 

Painting Stone

1) Sketch your design on the wall in pencil. For freeform stones, just draw them in. For bricks or angular designs, you can use a ruler and/or painter’s tape. Make the grout about 1/2 inch wide.

2) Paint the base color of all the stones. Don’t worry about perfection. You’ll make the lines neater when you paint the grout. Let dry.

3) Dab some of the highlight color on your bricks with the sea sponge. Work in small sections.

4) When the highlight paint is nearly dry take a damp regular sponge and wipe gently in small circles. This will spread some of the highlight color and make the stone more realistic.

 

 

The Most Popular Faux Painting Trends

If you thought faux painting was passé, think again. Faux decorative finishes are making a resurgence in the world of high-end interior design, and it’s easy to see why.

Faux finishes break the limits of ordinary wall paint, offering a wide range of gorgeous, custom surfaces that achieve a new level of luxury. Professionally-applied decorative finishes can add rich texture and striking detail to amplify your home’s elegance.

Looking to update your home’s style with rich textures and patterns? Take a closer look at the most popular faux painting trends

Marble

Marble is a timeless architectural material characterized by its harmonious patterns of pure white calcite with delicate grey mottles and streaks. Marbleizing walls with a faux finish allows homeowners to enjoy a palatial appearance without worrying about the extensive upkeep of authentic marble.

Leather Wallpaper

Take luxury to the next level with leather wallpaper, a faux finish that replicates the stunning visual texture of authentic leather. Perfect for a living room, home study, or master bedroom, the supple finish of faux leather is an excellent way to add an element of sophistication to your home at a fraction of the cost of genuine leather.

Intricate Woodwork

A refined and timeless look, faux wood finish is an excellent way to enhance the warmth and elegance of your home’s aesthetic. Faux woodwork and wood graining replicate the rich tones of wood with a stunning high-gloss finish. Professionally-crafted faux wood imitates the luxe finish of popular woods, including mahogany, walnut, birds-eye maple, vertical-grain oak, and many others.

Textured Brick

Exposed brick is a huge interior design trend for modern luxury homes. Textured brick is the perfect faux finish for homeowners looking to achieve a refined farmhouse aesthetic. Faux brick finishes are an excellent way for homeowners to add a rustic charm to their homes. Many homes use faux brick to add an extra element of sophistication and style their home’s wine cellar, master bedroom, study, studio, or kitchen.

 

FAUX TECHNIQUES

Faux finish painting is a technique that creates texture and nuance by replicating the look or feel of other surfaces, such as striped wallpaper, suede or marble. While it takes some patience and creativity to successfully complete a faux finish project, the results will convince you that the work and amount of time spent were worth it. Here are a few of the most common faux techniques.

Sponging:

Sponging is perhaps the easiest decorative technique to learn. All it takes is a natural sea sponge, glaze and two or three colors of paint to add dimension, color and texture to any room, whether it’s the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom.

Color Washing:

Color washing, or “broken finish” technique, can bring authentic old world charm to any room, making it feel as if it’s weathered by time.

Marbleizing:

The rich color variations, veining and intricate patterns of natural marble are the inspiration for this technique. Marbleizing is a process of layering tinted glazes over a base coat to produce the appearance of real marble. It can enhance fireplace surrounds, tabletops, picture frames and, of course, walls. It does take some time and effort, but with a little practice, you can achieve effects that a stonemason might envy.

Faux Granite:

Granite is a popular stone today because of its sophisticated style. There is virtually no limit to the colors and pattern variations of granite, so you can really express yourself with the faux granite painting technique. The process combines sponging and speckling a glaze mixture onto the surface to replicate the patterns of granite. It works well on countertops, furniture, floors and walls.