Choosing the Right Architectural Paint

Choosing the right paint for your interior or exterior can have a big impact on the quality and resistance of the finish, as well as the longevity and ease of maintenance. Paint can even have an impact on the health and wellness of a building’s occupants. Here are some things to consider when choosing:

• Paint application by use and surface material
• Paint composition and characteristics
• Finish and color
• Quantity and method of application
• Options and trends

HIMFLOOR floor paint

Architectural paints and primers are often organized according to use and surface material to facilitate the choice for building professionals and homeowners. However, as it is not always easy to understand the difference between seemingly similar products, it is important to seek advice in case of doubt. Choosing a primer that is compatible both with the paint and the type of surface is important to ensure the paint adheres properly.

• The paint chosen for walls and ceilings will cover a large surface area and can can have a big impact on the luminosity and design scheme of your interior. While low traffic rooms might not need a high level of protection, wet rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens need to be more resistant to moisture and dirt.
• Interior woodwork such as baseboards, paneling and interior doors need resistant and wipeable finishes as they often come into contact with people through daily use so they can get marked or scuffed.
• Metal work such as radiators, railings and guard rails might need corrosion, heat or weather-resistant finishes.
• Facade paints need to be weather and UV-resistant.
• Ground and floor paints should be resistant to regular foot traffic and cleaning products, while paints for exterior areas or with vehicle traffic will require an even higher level of protection.

NOVACOLOR Decorative Paint

The finish and color of the paint you choose can have an impact on the luminosity, design scheme and perceived evenness of surfaces as well as the ease of maintenance. Colors for exterior painting are often limited by local regulations, but you may be able to apply for planning permission. For buildings in historical areas there might even be a strict specification to follow.

When designing an interior, think about how the paint color can influence the ambiance and style of a room. For rented accommodation or building projects, sticking to neutral and white tones can save time and money and allow the future acquirer or tenant to more easily adapt the space to their taste.

The tone and color of paint for walls, ceilings and woodwork can can change the perceived volume of a space. While darker tones can make rooms appear smaller, light tones can open up smaller spaces. Warm shades of red, yellow or brown can create a vibrant ambiance in social rooms, such as the living room or dining room, while cooler colors with green, blue or purple tones can have a calming effect, and are thus more suited for private spaces such as the bathroom or bedroom. Think about how the colors of connecting spaces will look together so that there is continuity when walking through the home or building. Painting architectural features such as woodwork or a feature wall in a different tone or color can help create a focal point in a space. Think about how the furniture and paint colors will complement each other to create a well-rounded design scheme.

GRAHAM & BROWN Matte Paint

The most common paint finishes are: matte, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss and high-gloss.

For large surface areas with low traffic and minimum contact, matt paint is better at hiding imperfections. Matte paint is often used for ceilings and walls that aren’t frequently touched or subject to humidity or pollutants. It hides imperfections better than satin or semi gloss paint, but is less easy to clean.

In general, high-gloss finishes are easier to wipe clean and more hardwearing than matt finishes. This is why they are often used on surfaces exposed to frequent contact, pollutants or moisture, such as interior woodwork, doors, windows, and railings. Semi-gloss finishes are in-between matt and high-gloss, providing a good level of protection with less shine.

WATCO Floor paint

Make sure you calculate the volume of paint required, taking into account the surface area that needs to be covered, the number of coats required, and add 10% for wastage. Some paint manufacturers specify the surface area covered. If this information isn’t available, an online paint calculator can be used instead.

Consider the length of the warranty or guarantee for the paint you choose. A high-quality paint which is easier to apply and lasts longer could be more cost-effective than cheaper paints that will need to be reapplied more frequently.

For professional jobs, make sure that the specification is clear for contractors, so that the paints suggested are appropriate for the intended purpose and compliant with current legislation.

Careful planning and execution of paint application on the job site can help save time and resources and result in a better quality finish. The number of coats required, ease of application and method (spraying, brush painting, rolling) can also impact the number of hours of work required which will influence the overall costs.

SANDECO Blackboard Paint

A growing demand for environmentally friendly paints is leading to more polluting varieties to be phased out and replaced with less toxic versions. Some ecological paints use natural ingredients or have a composition with a limited impact on the environment. Choosing paints with Eco-labels, which are low VOC or even VOC-free, can help limit the impact on air quality and the environment.

Another trend includes paints with special properties such as blackboard paint and magnetic paint that can turn walls into writing surfaces or display boards for more playful and interesting interior spaces.