Painting your home interior may be as easy as paint by numbers for some, but for those uninitiated yet willing to give it a go (and save hundreds of dollars), having a bit of background knowledge is a boon. It's a safe bet that most people think that painting is a no-brainer and hey with a roller, fast too. While it isn't rocket science, there are a few pointers that can be very helpful for first timers. There are many things to consider once you've decided to paint. What colours do you want to use? Do you wish to try a new colour scheme, brighten up a room, make a space seem larger, or bring down the ceiling?
Once you are at the store and looking at palettes and chips, remember that the colour you see on the itty bit of paper may not appear in exactly the same shade at home. The texture of the paint or lighting in the room can have an effect on the resulting look of the colour. Or, the tiny paint chip pinched in your fingers and held up to a squinting eye may look gorgeous in the middle of the hardware store; that vibrant orange you've envisioned in your kitchen may in fact turn out more fast food than SoCal. Many paint stores have colour consultants to help make suggestions. Or, bring in decor layout clippings to have a custom shade mixed. Next, think about what type of paint you need. Is it area the kitchen or bathroom, one that will meet with humid conditions? Look for a mold resistant, semi-gloss finish. Bedrooms and living rooms will probably call for a matte finish.
No or low vocs paint
Consider looking for paints that are low in "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs). It's not just that harsh drying paint smell you might want to avoid -- chemicals in paints break down over time and may affect air quality in the home and be potentially be toxic.
Recycled paints
Some stores sell recycled paint which is not only a fraction of the cost of new paint, but also an environmental consideration that saves waste. Inquiring about dropping off unused paint to such facilities may also be a consideration.
Now that you've picked out your paint, what other materials do you need?
1. Edging tape 2. Drop cloths 3. Paint try 4. Wall brush - trim and sash brush and roller 5. Rags for clean up
Prep time
It's advisable to wash your walls before you paint. If the existing paint is glossy, you might have to wash with a special solution or else the new paint may not even adhere properly. Generally for light colours you won't need a primer, but consider a coat for dark colours so that you won't have to paint several coats to transfer that chocolate brown library into an eggshell hue.
Watch out for splatter
When you lay down that roller or brush, there will inevitably a fine mist that ends up as splatter on your clothes and any surrounding surfaces. To avoid that, place drop cloths on the floors and any furniture. Taping the edges along walls or covering around light switches and mirrors adhered to the wall are a definite must. Once you've finished painting and before it dries completely, peel off the tape. There is a chance some of the paint will come off in places, stuck to the tape when it solidifies.
Top 5 things a beginner should know:
1. Make sure to have enough paint: Seems obvious right? Well, it should be. Finding out three quarters of the way that a run to the store is necessary would be quite aggravating. Suss out the square footage of the to be painted room beforehand and check how many gallons it will take to cover that room. Your handy paint store staff will definitely know if you don't and sometimes it's printed right there on the can.
2. Go towards the light: Daylight reveals imperfections that are hidden in dim lighting that you'll be quick to want to correct.
3. Tape the edges: It will actually save time in the long run. Even if it seems easy to paint a straight line, it's even easier for unexpected drips to happen. The effort it takes to wipe up dribbles each time they occur can collectively take far longer than the couple of minutes of laying down tape in the first place.
4. Don't overload the roller Dip the roller where the paint starts to pool in the paint tray and roll it until the paint covers it thinly and evenly. Hold it downwards, tipping the roller so that the joint where it's attached is pointing to the ceiling as this will help to avoid gobs on the floor.
5. Start from the Middle When applying paint with a roller, start about midway on the wall, roll upwards first then pull the paint down - this way the paint has less of a chance of running onto the floor.
It may seem like a lot of effort and it can be, but accomplishing a home improvement job that can be so transformative for one's daily surroundings is extremely be satisfying. Consider the fun of throwing together a painting party with pizza and beers. Or, perhaps such an endeavour will make you more appreciative of professional painters who would probably take half the time and do a far better job. Either way, with the right tools in hand, you can make decide for yourself if this DIY project is for you.The Home Renovation Guide offers its services across North America, throughout both the United States and Canada. We have all essential home renovation categories covered: kitchens and bathrooms, windows and doors, flooring and carpets, home security, organization, lighting, heating and cooling, roofing and siding, plumbing, landscaping, as well as general contractors. For more information on Toronto painters visit us online today.
