There are many factors to consider when choosing paint for your home. The general rule of thumb is to choose the highest quality, and most expensive paint you can afford. The reason for this is that choosing high-quality paint can save you money in the long run, it is more durable and longer-lasting. Here are some other questions to ask when choosing paint:
Where are you painting?
Are you painting your bathroom, your outside walls, your roof, or your kitchen? All the paint will differ for these areas, bathroom paint will be water and steam resistant to protect the walls from peeling. Outside wall paint often has a plastic membrane in it that help seal and protect the wall from outside elements. Your roof needs UV protection and kitchen paint should have a high washability factor, so that the walls can be wiped down and cleaned without damaging the paint. Getting the appropriate paint for the job is vital for a long-lasting, professional finish.
Is the paint washable?
Depending on where you are painting it may be important that the area is washable. The higher sheen or shiny quality of the paint, the more washable it will be. Depending on the room you are painting, you may want it to be glossy - for example, bathrooms and kitchens should have a glossy finish because you can easily wipe away moisture or food splatters. It is also a good idea to use glossy paint in the high traffic areas of your home, such as corridors and entrance halls. If you opt for an eggshell finish, it will be less expensive, but it will show marks and stains. It may be an option for a room that does not see a lot of traffic like a study or spare bedroom.
Are you changing wall colour?
What are you painting? If you’re painting on a dark coloured wall and changing it to a light coloured wall you may need multiple coats. This is the coverable factor of your paint. It could be less expensive to choose a high-quality paint (that is more expensive per can) but it has a high coverable factor – this will mean that you could possibly get away with one coat rather than four or five. In this case. the more expensive paint will save you cash because you won’t have to use as much paint or as much time.
What about a paint primer combo?
When looking for paint it is possible to buy paint that already has primer added to it. This would mean that you don’t have to prime your walls beforehand, you can go straight to applying the paint. Ask your hardware store for advice here. It may not be a good idea depending on where and what you are painting but it may save time and be more convenient if it suits your needs.
Can you manage the smell?
Some people struggle with strong smells more than others, especially when it comes to chemical smells. Depending on the job, this may not apply to you, for example, if the room or house is not being currently occupied. If you have small children or you are sensitive to smells, consider getting odourless paint.
How much paint do you need?
You can get lots of assistance with this. There are apps to help, websites and simple calculations. Additionally, your hardware store will be able to advise how much paint you will need for the surface area. If you are hiring painters to do the work, they will also be able to help. It’s always good to talk to your painter beforehand, as they may have a brand preference or specifications for a professional finish.
Is your paint environmentally friendly?
Some paints are more environmentally friendly than others. This largely has to do with the way they are made and the chemicals that are in them. Some paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are chemicals that evaporate while you apply the paint to your walls. This evaporation process can last for weeks depending on the paint and can cause a variety of health problems such as nausea, breathing problems, headaches and when exposed regularly there is a possibility that it may lead to cancer. VOCs are most often found in oil-based paint rather than water-based paint (see the point below). The can should be clearly marked if it is VOC free. There are a variety of eco paints on the market, so ask at your hardware store and they should be able to assist.
Is your paint water or oil-based?
There are basically two types of paint, water-based and oil-based. Both have some characteristic pros and cons. Water-based paint is commonly referred to as latex paint, even though it does not contain latex. It can be thinned with water and is largely environmentally friendly. It is durable and fast-drying. Depending on the characteristics of the latex paint, it can be used on the inside or outside of your home. Oil-based paint, also known as alkyd paint, can only be thinned using mineral spirits or paint thinners. Oil-based paint isn’t used as regularly in homes and when it is, it’s reserved for high traffic areas like floors and skirting. Oil-based paint tends to be more expensive than latex paint, is odorous, and contains a higher percentage of VOCs.
How much light does the room have?
Depending on the natural and artificial light of the room you are painting, the colour may look different from the paint sample that you have. Before you commit to the room, buy a small can of paint and do a test patch, so that you can see how the paint will look under your lighting conditions.
Will you remember the paint colour for future?
Some people advise that you get an extra can of paint in case you need to do touch-ups at some point in time. It is also a better idea to keep a reliable record of your paint: the colour code, finish, and brand. Most paint goes off and having to store the paint may be a challenge. If you have a record of the paint, you could always get more as you need.
Once you have taken all of this into consideration ask your hardware store for advice and if you are going to be hiring a painter, consider asking them for their opinion, too. Painting your home may be something to consider doing yourself but hiring a professional painter will ensure that you have a high-quality finish. A professional painter may have equipment that you don’t, such as lights (to ensure that the finish is even), ladders and more. Paint is expensive and making sure that it is applied professionally guarantees that your money is well spent.