Painting 101: interior and exterior overview

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More and more people are choosing to do their own home painting jobs. But once you figure the time involved, the messes and mess ups, you're better off hiring a professional painter. You can save some money and stress by following the tips in this Reply! guide on home painting 101.

Paint

The first lesson of painting 101 is distinguishing between interior and exterior paint. It may seem basic, but many people are unaware that different paints should be used for home interiors and exteriors. Choosing the right paint goes a long way to ensure your paint job looks good.

You've got your painting 101 knowledge. Now connect with professional painters for free estimates!

Your painter will be able to determine how much paint will be needed for your interior or exterior paint job. Yet you should receive an estimate on how much you'll spend on paint before the painter goes to the store to make a purchase.

The paint cost will be affected by the brand you select. It's best to resist the urge to cut costs and buy the cheapest paint at the hardware store. What you save at the counter will cost you later in terms of quality and longevity. Cheap paint peels and fades much sooner than quality paint.

The primer should match the quality of your interior paint. The painter should include in his itemized estimate the primer as well.

Many homeowners are concerned about the environmental effects of their paint. Select paints with zero-VOC, which are environmentally friendly. You'll no longer have to worry about the cons of your paint releasing harmful toxins into the environment or your home.

One of the pros of using this type of premium paint is it's incredibly high quality and long lasting without the use of unnecessary and harmful chemicals. This brand also comes in a variety of paint colors.

Exterior finish paint is significantly different from interior finish paint. Quality exterior paint is weatherproof and won't chip away under stress from the elements. It also goes on smoother and dries more quickly.

Brushes

Once you've chosen the right paint, brush knowledge is next. The type of brush used depends largely on the paint finish. For silk finish paints, experts recommend bristle brushes. For traditional paint, a roller brush works best. You won't have to discuss paint brushes with your contract painter.

Technique

Another important painting 101 tip is to take steps to avoid mess before it begins. Before your painter starts an interior paint job, it's important that he tape off the edges of the entire room. Also, newspapers or a plastic tarp should be placed across the floor to avoid paint spatter.

Most paint comes off hardwood and linoleum floors with water and a bit of scrubbing, but paint stains on carpet can be difficult to remove.

If you're doing the job yourself, start out on a trial patch of wall to work on technique. For interior painting jobs, the best technique is to make a large V- or W-shape with your roller brush. Repeat the shape over and over until an entire section of the wall is filled in.

Avoid painting the four-inch space above and below the ceiling. Special brushes known as paint edgers should be used as they set flat against the ceiling to make painting the edges of the wall clean and efficient.

Painting your home is a big job, but it can be tackled with the right tools, painting 101 knowledge and professional painter. Get started today by receiving free quotes on your interior or exterior paint job.

 

Photo credit: ooh_food via Compfight CC.