Buying the right paint
Painting Quotes
from local painters
Colour is not the only important decision when you're painting your home. Here's a couple of tips on picking the right type of paint for your job.
Durability
Different types of paint have different guarantees on how long it will last. Check the promises of the brand and ensure that you choose the required durability - of course if you're planning to change it in a couple of years anyway it matters less how long the paint will last, but consider it anyway given that colours can fade.
Dark colours don't fade more but it is more obvious when they fade - so if one side of your house gets far more sun than the other you'll want a longer lasting paint or even to choose a lighter colour that will show the fading less. Dark colours are also harder to touch up as the difference between old and new paint is more noted.
Sheen
Glossy surfaces a 'high sheen' and matte or flat paints are 'low sheen'. Glossy or high sheen paints show imperfections more, especially brush strokes and touch ups, but they're far easier to clean. Around Australia you'll usually see low sheen paint on walls but medium or high gloss paints on window sills, railings etc.
Functional paint
Perhaps you want a chalk board in the nursery for your kids to be able to write on walls (dangerous but can be great!). Or even needing a white board in the kitchen or by the door to leave messages or write lists? Forget the boards, simply choose paint that becomes a white board or chalkboard. They are more and more available in local paint stores and of course you can get it online easily (althoughWhiteboard paint seems only to be available in the US).
Size of area
Colour has maybe been decided, but remember to try it out on the wall you're going to use it on before you paint. Often, the shade is too light or too dark when applied to a larger area.
How to choose the right colour?
Painting Quotes
from local painters
