subject: Ideas On How To Keep Painting Costs Down [print this page] Ideas On How To Keep Painting Costs Down Ideas On How To Keep Painting Costs Down
Painting is one of the least expensive and simplest home improvements you can make. You will discover a lot of small changes you can perform to boost your homes appearance and value, simple changes like painting a wall can produce a big change. Painting is a cheap and straightforward home improvement and can also be easily changed should you decide you would like a change later on. There is a massive choice of paints available in numerous colours and finishes so there is almost certainly bound to be something to fit your home. In case you cannot locate a ready made colour, you could always mix paints to achieve different shades and variations.Choosing paint:Most people are moving home less the very reason is the recession and they are daring to experiment with new design ideas. This means that they are having a go at painting their homes in bold colours and moving from the neutral, beige trend from the past. Along with choosing something to suit their personal style. Look in the rooms you plan on repainting, consider their size, shape and function as well as the type of furniture they hold. These items will all influence which paint you pick, for instance, a medium sized room can be made to seem bigger with light colours, a kitchen will benefit from humidity resistant paint, you might require a shade that compliments your existing furniture. Bear in mind, paint is not only for walls, you can also apply it to window frames, skirting boards or furniture. Using one colour or varying shades of the same colour in a room can really produce a cohesive look, especially when you have a whole lot of mismatched household furniture.Varieties of paint:Solvent based paint - these paints have high volumes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be harmful to your environment, especially if it is poured down the sink. Eco paints are now available which contain no VOCs; these even incorporate new odour reducing paint and self cleaning paints.Make sure that you choose the correct paint type for that project:Water based paints - these are a more environmentally friendly option that doesn't smell of chemicals. The downside is that water based paint isn't quite as durable and thick as the solvent kind - so you may need to apply more than one coat.Emulsion paints - these water based paints are ideal for ceilings and walls because they are thicker and simple to apply. Humidity resistant emulsion paints have also been developed to be used in steamy rooms like kitchens or bathrooms.Gloss - you may want to make use of a gloss instead of a standard paint when it comes to painting household furniture. Gloss is usually applied to wood or metal surfaces and is a thick, solvent based substance. As an alternative, you could possibly use acrylic paint to do this type of work.Matt and silk paints can be found as a matt or gloss finish. Matt gives a flat, non-reflective look whereas silk produces a shiny, reflective coat.Undercoats - depending on which kind of surface is being painted, you might need to use a primer and an undercoat before painting the top layer. This seals and evens out the surface which will give a polished finish.Metal paints - You could use bituminous paint for iron fittings like pipes, tanks or gutters. This paint offers waterproof protection by forming a bituminous layer when dry.Painting tips:Test colours first on a medium sized portion of your wall and take into account the choices for only a couple of days before you make your final choice. It is possible to even have a go at mixing paints to generate your perfect shade. Lighten with white, darken with black. Never throw left over paint down the drains, this will pollute water ways. Remember and check whether you need to re-plaster the wall before you paint. Always remove wallpaper before painting and always keep the rooms well ventilated while working. In case you do choose to paint it yourself, make sure you use gloves and a good quality paintbrush. When you are not using the brush, keep it in a pot of warm water to prevent hardening of the brush or wrap it in cling film.I understand how hard it can be to carry out these tasks which I have written about in this article. I have used these tips on many painting projects over the years. I frequently go to a company called Painter London. They have some great ideas on how to save you money.
