Tag Archives: paints

All You Need to Know about Paints 2

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Emulsion paints

Water based paints suitable for indoor walls and ceilings. Available in runny or non drip, solid consistencies. Most emulsions now contain vinyl for greater durability and are available in matt (a soft, velvet appearance), silk (a delicate sheen) and soft sheen. Brushes and rollers can be cleaned in water. Emulsions suitable for external use may be called masonry paints.

Textured paints made from thickened emulsion are ideal for masking uneven walls and ceilings. Special effects can also be achieved using a texturing tool. Be warned, though, that once on, they are difficult to remove.

One coat paints

Available as gloss or emulsion, these don’t need an undercoat although more expensive than traditional alternatives they do go further. If you use a brush, only one coat is necessary, but you will need to do two when using a roller.

Watch points

  1. Buy all layers from the same brand to ensure compatibility.
  1. If you don’t want wallpaper but like something more interesting than plain paint consider color washing or other paint effects
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All You Need to Know about Paints 1

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Decorating has never been such fun, all you need is a little imagination and product knows how to transform your home. Painting is all about color and with most major brands and DIY retailers promising to match virtually any color, it couldn’t be easier. However, choosing the most suitable paint can be confusing so to get the best possible finish for a surface; it’s worth spending time studying the options.

Primer

This goes directly over bare wood or metal to form a protective layer. Don’t skimp on this layer, quick drying versions are available. Use plaster primer or sealer on flaky or porous walls before applying emulsion.

Undercoat

This covers the primer or an existing color, choose a color close to that of the top coat.

Gloss/top coat paints

Either water or solvent based and used on wood or metal finishes. Solvent based: these paints leave a high gloss finish but give off a strong odor while drying. Brushes need to be cleaned with a solvent or white spirit. Softer gloss finishes are available to imitate traditional eggshell paints known as satin finish or satinwood. Water based acrylic gloss: paints made in this way are becoming more popular because they are easier to use, are virtually odor free and brushes can be cleaned in water. However, they are not as durable or shiny.

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Special paints part 2

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Spray paints: these are becoming increasingly popular and are ideal for covering different surfaces such as timber, metal, plastic and wicker. Stick to using over small areas or for decorative effects.

Traditional paints: these produce an old fashioned, less uniform finish with antique tones and textures. Made from traditional ingredients (linseed oil, plant extracts and pigments), they mature well to give a soft, slightly chalky patina. Traditional oil based paints, including eggshell, and water based paints, including limewash and distemper, are available from specialist stockists. Currently there is a trend towards modern manufacturers simulating the traditional colors and texture in their paints.

Watch points.

  1. If you want to transform old furniture or kitchen units, for example, try one of the fake wood kits which include a graining tool, base coat and grain coat.
  1. Instead of painting woodwork, use a colored varnish or wood stain covered by several layers of clear varnish for protection. There is a huge range of colors and finishes available.
  1. For kitchens and bathrooms, it’s worth considering an anti condensation paint (known as kitchen and bathroom paint). These emulsion paints have a tough, water-resistant finish and reduce the risk of condensation and mold growth. Alternatively, use in children’s rooms as they are easy to wipe clean.
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Special Paints part 1

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For surfaces which require special treatment, special paints are available to answer the needs. Make use of these special paints to achieve better paint quality and protection. Below here are seven special paints made to provide special purposes.

Anti stain paint: used for covering heavy stains prior to painting. Usually solvent based.

Bituminous paint: gives a long lasting protection to gutters and down pipes. It cannot be covered by another paint unless sealed with an aluminium primer.

Floor paint: covers concrete, stone, paving and quarry tiles. A heavy duty non slip, grease resistant garage floor paint is also available.

Microporous paint or stains: can be applied to bare wood, outdoors. It is flexible and expands and contracts at the same rate as the wood. Tiny pores in the paint allow any moisture in the wood to pass through the paint, preventing blistering and flaking. Primer and undercoat are not required.

Radiator paint: an enamel available in gloss and satin finishes, and in a range of basic colors. White does not yellow with the heat. Other enamel paints are available for covering metal areas such as kitchen appliances.

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Make Your Stairway and Hallway Warm with the Right Color part 1

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The first room that anyone will see when visiting you is the hall, so make it as inviting and welcoming as possible. Choose warm color for the décor and make sure the lighting is sufficiently bright and yet warm to enable your visitors to see everything well. There is nothing worse than arriving at a home on a dark and stormy night, to walk into a murky, gloomy entrance hall. Equally, if you have a porch or standing area outside the front door, make sure that this is well lit, too. Lights with infra red sensor are especially useful here as you can leave them turned on when you go out so that on your return they immediately light your way home.

Sadly, all too often the hallway is merely a narrow passageway with the staircase leading from it and it can be very difficult to make sense of the space. If you have a hall like this, one option you may want to consider before doing anything else, is knocking it through to another room to create a living room hall, or even a dining room hall. Rooms are becoming increasingly multi functional and if you look at your space laterally like this, you can often bring to mind some excellent solutions for making the most of what you have.

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