Painting: Interior & Exterior Painting Services

With such a huge range of different paint colours available, deciding which colour to choose could become quite a tricky task. However, by sticking to a few basic principals, you can greatly narrow down the selection. Firstly, it does help to at least have an idea of  the colour theme that you would like to create, or more important, what mood do you want the colour to create?

Bright colours like red for example, will have a completely different effect than a dark blue which is a cool colour and helps in bringing a tranquil atmosphere.

The colour which you select must blend in with other existing or planned features of a room, such as floor, curtains and furniture.

In addition to the hassle of colour selection, there remains another tricky choice of PVA vs. gloss, with both having advantages as well as disadvantages, with PVA a better option if the wall is not in perfect condition, another plus with water based colours is the simplicity and ease with which everything can be cleaned afterwards, however, with a gloss or semi - gloss paint, any imperfections in the wall will be very clearly visible. The upside of gloss, is that it is water resistant, and very durable, this surface can be washed and scrubbed many times over. and is definitely an option if cleaning is to be an issue.

For colour matching, it is advisable to go along to your local paint shop and get some colour samples of the different shades that you plan on using in the different rooms, if possible, try to get the actual paint samples that you can get for free at many paint outlets which is even more significant, as this can be painted directly on to the desired wall to give a true reflection of the end result.

 PVA paint is a definite option for low traffic rooms as well as ceilings, as these are very low maintenance, however in bathrooms or the kitchen a gloss or semi - gloss is recommended.

For door frames, windows and skirting boards, select a colour that will match up with the wall, this is usually a gloss or semi gloss paint.

The final bit of advice that we can give is this; always choose a quality paint, although it costs more, it is well worth it and will save you a lot of trouble and money in the long term. 

Although we are free to choose the kind of paint finish that we prefer, the reality is that each and every type paint finish designed for a specific purpose. All of the different paint colours are available it a variety of finishes that reflect the shine differently and also effects the durability of the paint, making some paint finishes washable and able to withstand moisture much better than others.

Matt finish: 

This is usually your interior and exterior PVA paints, which are ideal for walls which are either rough or have an uneven surface. It is quite dull but nevertheless gives off a very tranquil and soothing effect which makes it a very popular choice for many households. Matt does not have any shine, neither is it reflective and is therefore excellent at hiding any imperfections in the wall. The one disadvantage of a matt finish, is that it is not washable which does not make it suitable for busy areas or where moisture is prevalent. It is suitable for bedrooms, lounge and ceilings. After a painting job, try to keep a litre or  two of the left over paint, so that any touch ups can be in exactly the same colour.

Satin:

This is the one paint finish that would probably be generally be recommended for the interior of many homes, provided that the surface of the wall is smooth and free of any cracks and imperfections. Satin is a smooth finish with more shine than matt and is washable making it useful for any area of the home, including the bathroom and kitchen.

Semi - Gloss:

Semi - gloss is a shiny and very durable, moisture and  water resistant paint that is completely washable. It is mostly used to finish of surfaces of a room like door frames and skirting, because of its moisture repellent properties, it can be used in very wet areas such as bathrooms.

Gloss:

Gloss is the most durable paint finish and gives off the most shine as well, it is basically intended as a finishing paint to be used on doors, skirting as well as other trimmings and features of a home that are intended to be prominent.