Tag Archive for: Interior

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When it comes to interior decorating, one of the most important questions any homeowner or designer can ask is, “How should I paint the inside of my home?” Indoor paint adds depth and character to walls and ceilings and changes the atmosphere of any overall living or working space. For this reason, it is important to know how to select the best indoor paint for your purposes.

Use flat (matte) paint for ceilings. One of the best reasons to use flat paint is that it readily adheres to rough surfaces. Because it adheres so well and is non-reflective, it tends to minimize imperfections, whereas glossy paints highlight imperfections.

Have a textured ceiling that needs to be covered over? Flat paint can help with that. It actually decreases the amount of texture that is present, giving a smooth, finished look than can instantly update a room’s style.

It should be noted that flat paint is very hard to clean and tends to attract dirt and stains more than glossier paints do. Flat paint, then, is perfect for use on ceilings because stains are less likely to occur there.

Satin and eggshell paint is optimal for dens, adult bedrooms and other areas children don’t usually frequent. Both swpaintcansatin and eggshell paints are good choices for these areas because they are much easier to clean than the matte version of indoor paint. Satin finish works best on walls because it is more reflective, while eggshell works better on ceilings because it does not emit as much glare.

Eggshell paint is slightly more difficult to clean than satin paint, and it is not as readily available. It should be noted that neither of these types of paint will hold up to any serious scrubbing.

Semi-gloss paint for family rooms, children’s bedrooms, and window and doorway trims. This type of paint is perfect for very high traffic areas because it is very resistant to dirt, grease, and grime. It is also very easy to clean, more durable, and comes in more color varieties than the other types of indoor paint; however it also costs more than the other types, with the exception of high-gloss paint, which is the most duration homeexpensive paint type as well as the most difficult to find.

Gloss paint for bathrooms, kitchens, and other highly humid areas. This paint is very useful in areas that are prone to moisture and staining. It is even more durable, dirt-resistant, and easy to clean than its semi-gloss cousin. It does, however, tend to show more imperfections than any other of the indoor paint types, so walls should be very carefully sanded down before the paint is applied.

All of these paints come in a variety of colors, although some (especially the glossier paints) tend to be offered in more color choices than others (especially the flat paint).  Sherwin-Williams has a wide variety of all of these types of paint, available at a great value to the consumer. Whether the desired paint type or paint color is decided upon first, individuals should consult with the professionals at United Home Experts for more ujwkmam6detailed recommendations.

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One of the most important choices any homeowner can make when it comes to interior decorating is what color to paint the inside walls. Along with color, another important decision is which type of paint to use on the inside. Certain types of paint work better in some areas than do others, and these differences need to be taken into consideration when paint choice is made.

Another thing that needs to be thought of is interior paint protection. Some homes – especially homes with young children living in them – will need to have more interior paint protection than will other homes. Some types of paint have this protection automatically built in, which is great news for the homeowner. Sherwin Williams has a wide range of paints with added durability enhancers. Here is an overview of a few of their most helpful products.

Before painting, the interior surface will need to be primed. White-Pigmented Shellac Primer is a good choice for wood and plaster interiors as well as ceiling surfaces. It is great for high traffic areas, where there is more of an opportunity for staining to occur and dirt to accumulate. For interior plaster and/or drywall surfaces that have already been painted, the Loxon acrylic conditioner is a better choice.

Another clear winner when it comes to indoor paint primers is the All Surface Enamel Primer, which comes in both a latex and an oil based version. This primer is truly what its name suggests. It can be used on a vast array of surfaces, such as aluminum, drywall, galvanized steel, masonry, plaster, steel, and wood. This primer offers great paint protection at a superior value.

After the primer has been applied, it is time to paint the inside walls of the house. Every decent indoor paint job sherwinwilliamspaintbrushcarequires at least two coats of a very high quality latex paint like Sherwin-Williams’ Duration Home(R) Interior Acrylic Latex Paint in order to ensure the best paint protection and durability. This particular brand of paint offers extraordinary washability for any busy home. It is perfect for high use areas like hallways, kitchens, and children’s bedrooms. Because it is so durable and washable, it is a great choice for homes with very young children, who tend to be pretty hard on indoor paint jobs.

A clear choice when it comes to bathrooms and other areas that are prone to collect moisture, like kitchens, front hall closets, basements, garages, and laundry rooms is the paint with the semi-gloss finish that is simply called Bath Paint. This type of paint is specially formulated to resist mildew, so both the paint and the home itself will be protected.

An indoor paint job should not be undertaken by anyone without first consulting someone knowledgeable and experienced in indoor painting. Homeowners who need more information about choosing the right paint for their homes should contact the professionals at United Home Experts for a free estimate. They can give more detailed advice regarding selecting the best indoor paint and the best paint protection for any home through our easy, no pressured, free estimates. For more information about painting, click here to visit our main painting page!

Professional house painters and contractors say that the highest quality indoor paint is well worth the money sherwinwilliamspaintbrushcaspent.  The highest quality paint the homeowner can afford will assure a smooth painted finish and will require fewer coats of paint for optimum coverage.  Following is a review of indoor paint brands of varying qualities and prices.

Sherwin-Williams

At $45 per gallon, Sherwin-Williams’ top-quality paint Duration comes highly recommended by both professionals and do-it-yourselfers.  Duration is well known for its great washability as well as its one-coat coverage.  Sherwin-Williams manufacture other quality paints whose indoor paint prices are less than the top-of-the-line Duration.  Sherwin-Williams’ SuperPaint is priced at $35 per gallon.

Benjamin Moore

At $55 per gallon, Benjamin Moore Aura also receives raves from professional painters for its one-coat coverage for all but the darkest colors.  It also dries quickly and has no unpleasant odor.  Tests have found Aura to be mildew-resistant and to undergo serious scrubbing with no adverse effects.

Benjamin Moore also manufactures a less expensive indoor paint, Regal, at $40 per gallon, which is somewhat benmooregallonnear the high quality of Aura.

Glidden Spred

Glidden Spred receives high ratings from the test labs of Good Housekeeping.  The ratings noted the paint’s one-coat coverage and low-odor properties.  It is the lowest priced paint of all reviewed here with prices beginning at $18 per gallon.  It offers quick drying, is mold- and mildew-resistant, and will not fade.  It is a good choice for high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms and can be easily wiped clean.  Glidden Spred does have numerous amounts of drawbacks over the more expensive brands:  It does not cover as well, so more coats are needed, and it does not stand up well to abrasion and the tests of time.

In the budget realm of indoor paint prices, do-it-yourselfers and professionals agree that budget paint is to be avoided as it is difficult to work with, which increases labor costs and will not give adequate coverage in one coat or even two.

It is always wise to consult a local home-remodeling contractor when considering repainting an interior.  They know which brand has proven the most successful for them through the years.  In the New England states, the knowledgeable staff at United Home Experts prefers Sherwin-Williams paints for both exterior and interior jobs.

The results of a cost/benefit analysis of various indoor paints lean toward the higher quality, higher-priced brands as being the most cost-effective in the long run. For more information about our painting services, visit our main painting page!

How to be friendly to the environment when re-decorating and still have a beautiful and long-lasting interior paint job.

How Are Paints Changing?: Paint companies in the US and the world have been working feverishly to come up with the optimal coating to do two main things: minimize the impact on air quality and deliver maximum performance. They are also developing compositions without deadly or carcinogenic components, such as lead, in their paint products. No lead compounds have been used in paint since 1977.

 

Clean Air Act: In 1996, Revisions to the Clean Air Act demanded that paint manufacturers do something about volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOC’s are solvents that help the paint dry quickly, provide a smooth finish, flow easily and promote leveling and curing. They helped control thickness, hardness, and smoothness of a typical application.

 

What’s wrong with VOC’s?: The problem with VOC’s is that when they evaporate, they contribute to the creation of ozone, a common pollutant, and potential safety hazard. The amount of VOC’s in traditional latex paint typically falls between 200 to 300 grams per liter. Traditional solvent-based alkyds may have 400-500 g/L, and clear finishes, varnishes, shellacs, stains, and lacquers are generally in the VOC range of 350-750 g/L.

 

Paint Products to Consider: An few excellent examples of high-quality paint products with low VOC’s are:

  • Sherwin Williams® DurationTM Interior
  • Sherwin Williams® HarmonyTM Interior
  • Sherwin Williams® PrepRiteTM Primers
  • Benjamin Moore NaturaTM
  • California ElementsTM

Regarding performance, generally, as the VOC content goes down, the flowability and dried smoothness reduce and the overall ease of painting goes down. However, scrubability and abrasion resistance are much improved for the paints listed above. Products are improving rapidly and may become what we as painters desire for our customers very soon.

It’s vitally important that you consult with and only hire painters who have taken the time to educate themselves on the laws that recently changed. You as a homeowner can be held responsible if an uncertified product crosses state borders and is opened by a painter on your property. Rest assured the local health departments will be more vigilant than ever in the upcoming season. Expect to see them checking labels for old and non-local (non-conforming) products. Choose your products and painting contractors wisely.