Frequently Asked Questions on Paint & Paint Jobs
How to select Exterior colours?
- Pick a colour that complements the home's brick, siding, stone or roofing.
- Choose a colour scheme that blends with the neighbourhood. If required, check with the homeowners' association for any colour restrictions.
- Because colour may appear different depending on the time of day, paint a section of the house where the body, trim and accent colours can be viewed together. Then check the colours throughout the day to see how they look.
- To highlight architectural details, such as shutters and columns, choose a colour that contrasts with the wall colour of the house. For example, if the wall is a light colour, choose a darker colour.
- To minimize attention to unattractive elements such as downspouts, air-conditioning units, vents and gutters, paint them the same colour as the wall of the house or choose a trim colour that is a similar shade
How to select Interior colours?
- Light colours make a room seem larger, while dark colours are best for accenting recessed areas and highlighting details.
- Use items in a room to provide colour hints. Pick a piece of furniture, art or even a pillow for inspiration. Select your colour preference and see what other colours work well with it.
- Connecting rooms should share colour elements. For example, using the same colour on molding in adjoining rooms unifies an open space.
- Use light and dark colours to create interest. Attractive architectural features, such as molding and columns, can be emphasized by painting them darker or lighter colours.
- Consider the home's flooring. The colour of the carpet, tile or hardwood flooring plays an important role in the feel of a room and affects how a colour appears.
- Pay attention to the trim in a room. Painting the trim and walls the same colour will remove attention to the trim and make it less noticeable. Using a contrasting colour for the trim will add some dimension to the room.
Why paint is blistering and how to fix it?
Lifting of the paint film from the underlying surface, which appears as bubbles or blisters in the paint, usually caused by heat, moisture or a combination of both. This condition can eventually lead to peeling of the paint if not corrected. CAUSES- Painting in direct sunlight or on a surface that is too hot
- Application of an oil-based over a damp, wet surface
- Exposing a fresh paint film to dew, high humidity or rain
- Moisture passing through interior walls from common household sources such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms
- Determine if blisters were caused by heat or moisture. Break open and examine the substrate and back side of blistered paint.
- If only the newest coat of paint is blistered, the blister was probably caused by heat.
- If the peeled blister contains several coats of paint and the bare surface is exposed, the blister was probably caused by moisture.
- Remove blisters by scraping, sanding or pressure-washing down to underlying coats of paint or primer.
- Repaint the surface with a high-quality interior/exterior paint (make sure the surface temperature is below 90º F).
- Find the best paints suited for your project.
- Repair loose caulking and improve ventilation of the building to prevent a recurring problem.
- Remove the blisters by scraping or sanding down to the bare surface.
- Prime all bare areas with a high-quality primer.
- Repaint the surface with a high-quality paint in the desired finish.
What if we select a cheaper paint?
While any paint can give a home a quick facelift, a premium paint can truly transform a home’s interior and make it last. A premium paint offers a smoother, more uniform appearance, as well as much better coverage, than an economy paint. Because a home is a major investment, premium paint provides the long-term protection it deserves.What is the different between gloss and flat paints
Gloss is about shine. It describes how much light is reflected from the surface of the paint. If a painted surface is very smooth and glass-like, the reflection is perceived to be “shiny” or “glossy.” Conversely, a flat paint has a rough surface profile after it dries. Light that hits such a surface is reflected and scattered in many different directions so it appears “flat” to the eye.Which gloss level is more durable?
The gloss level of paint can have a significant impact on both appearance and serviceability. Increasing gloss improves the durability of paints – including scrub-, stain- and moisture-resistance. However, higher gloss levels tend to highlight defects and imperfections on a surface. Gloss level also affects colour perception. The same colour with a different gloss will appear as an assorted colour. The colour in a higher gloss paint will appear brighter and richer than the same colour in a lower gloss paint.Why paint is cracking and how to fix it?
Splitting of the paint film through at least one coat, leading to failure of the paint. Hairline cracks appear initially, but progress to paint chips falling off the surface – or flaking – and severe cracks in the surface will appear. Complete failure of the paint can occur if left untreated. CAUSES- Over-thinning of the paint or spreading it too thin
- Poor surface preparation, especially when paint is applied to bare wood without priming
- Painting under cool or windy conditions where the paint dries too fast
- On surfaces that have been painted many times, the bottom layers of paint lose their flexibility and are unable to expand and contract with the surface as it responds to temperature and humidity change
- Determine if cracking goes all the way to the surface. If cracking does not go all the way down to the surface, then:
- Remove loose and flaking paint with a scraper or wire brush.
- Sand the area and feather the edges.
- Repaint, using a high-quality paint.
- Remove all of the paint by scraping, sanding and/or use paint remover.
- Prime wood and masonry surfaces with an appropriate, high-quality primer.
- Repaint using a high-quality paint
- Pressed composition boards should be primed immediately after installation. An adequate coating should be kept on the surface at all times to seal out moisture.
How to Select the right Gloss for our painting project?
The gloss level you choose for your paint project can have a significant impact on both appearance and maintenance. A color in a higher gloss paint will appear brighter and richer than the same color in a lower gloss. Also, higher glosses will have better washability and stain resistance, though they may also highlight defects and imperfections on a surface.- Flat paints are a good choice for ceilings
- Low Sheen paints can be used mainly for walls specially rooms with high-traffic areas such as hallways, family rooms or children’s bedrooms
- Gloss and semi-gloss paints are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, utility areas, woodwork, doors and trim.