Everyone loves that feeling of newness, freshness, and clean. Repainting your apartment or office usually does the trick. In the same way, when not done properly can ruin your mood. Think about the blend of colours, the swift movement of the paintbrush, painting can be fun when you know how to go about it properly- else you would dread the thought of it. Keep reading and I might just change your mind about painting. You see, the fact is that painting is actually one of the least expensive and the easiest interior design activity. How your apartment or office is painted and with what colours tends to define who you are, so if your apartment is painted black-i believe you get where I’m headed.
Have you built a new house or bought an old one that needs painting? How would you want to go about it? Would you hire a professional painter or you prefer to do it yourself? This article will answer your questions and also address a wide range or of topics about painting which includes tips, tricks, do’s and don’ts, and professional advice.
You may be torn between hiring a painter and carrying out the task all by yourself depending on how and when you want your work to be done, but there are a few factors to consider especially if you’re thinking about doing it yourself.
Consider the following;
- Are you working on the outside (exterior) or the inside (interior) of your house? Painting your front door or your one-bedroom apartment may seem easy but what about the hard to reach areas? Exterior paintings are even more complicated than it looks, how is the weather going to be? Have you practiced how to use a ladder? All these to be taken into consideration before deciding on hiring or DIY.
- How is the current state of the paint? Peeling and scraping paint off an old house can be stressful, it can take very long to finish unlike a new house with a smooth surface. For the best results, pass it to the professionals.
- Consider the layout of your building. Is it a townhouse or a story building? A townhouse sounds easier to paint unlike a story building, no one prefers to lose their lives before they even get to move into their new house. Seek professional help! The fact that you have painted your old cupboard once or twice does not mean you can take up a painting job on your own. It is complicated and there are risks involved.
WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO GO ABOUT IT.
Then again, there are people who would still insist on doing the jobs themselves, that’s not wrong, it’s good to take up the challenge. Here are some tips on how to go about it safely;
- Do not settle for cheap paints that will scrape off after a few weeks or months or immediately, it begins to rain.
- Decide on the color of paint you want, there are numerous apartment design apps that can spark your inspiration
- Remove loose paint and replace any rotten wood.
- Tape and cover doors, windows and hardware to prevent paint from getting to them and lay down a coat of primer.
- Practice ladder safety and choose the right ladder, especially for exterior painting.
WHICH KIND OF PAINT IS THE RIGHT KIND?
Finally and most importantly, you need to choose the kind of paint you want, not any kind, the right kind. You may be the type that knows nothing about paints, below are the types of paints and where and what exactly you can use them on.
Latex paint
Latex paint refers to water-based paint, the most popular and environmentally friendly paint. Since latex paints provide great color retention, they’re ideal for exterior walls that face a lot of weathering. Latex paints are also a good option for interior walls that are subjected to a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. Additionally, latex paints dry faster than oil-based alternatives and produce fewer odors.
Oil-based paint
Containing either natural oils or synthetic alkylate, oil-based paints are more durable than latex paints. Oil-based paints should be used on surfaces where you want the finish to last for a long time. While this kind of paint has a stronger odor and takes longer to dry, its durability is unmatchable. The strength of oil-based paints makes them a great choice for moldings and trims.
Paint luster
From dull to shiny finishes, paint comes in several different lusters. A paint’s luster depends on its mixture of pigment, resin, and additional ingredients. If you’re struggling to decide what finish you want, note that glossier finishes tend to be more durable and washable. Flat paint, on the other hand, is better at hiding surface imperfections. Pearl and eggshell lusters fall somewhere in the middle, as they are more washable than flat paint and partially hide irregularities
MAINTENANCE
Now that you know how to go about your painting, your next concern should be on how to maintain it, at least for a long time. The maintenance process varies from the interior to exterior paintings. One similar to both is keeping it clean, with the interior, once you notice a stain or dirt, it is reasonable to wash it with damped sponge and water or sometimes add a little dish soap if needed. With exterior painting, pressure washing is encouraged. It’s recommended that you pressure wash your home about five or six years after the initial paint job. For areas like porches and overhangs, you should clean them more often.
Use mold-resistant paints for areas that are more prone to it as the bathroom and basements and never forget to repaint once in a while. Would you hire a professional today or you will do it yourself? Either way, best of luck and have fun!
If you are looking to hire a pro painter that can help with both interior (simple/complex art designs) and exterior painting then HouseClap is your best bet @ www.houseclap.com / 02000541888