BLOG

Archive for the ‘Painting Tips’ Category

Paint to Help Sell Your Home

Posted on: by Owner | Painter

Paint Colours to Help Sell Your Home

With Spring fast approaching many of us are thinking about Spring cleaning and sprucing up our homes. Spring also means that many people are thinking it may be time to sell their home and painting is a great way to help prepare and maybe even sell quicker. There are so many options but today we are going to touch on paint to help sell your home.

Prospective buyers are often influenced my the way a home feels when they walk in or tour the rooms. We all know that you are supposed to look at the potential that a space has when looking to buy but subconsciously esthetics play a large role in many peoples decisions. Lets be honest first impressions are everything when looking to sell your home.

In general you should think about using neutral colours to make your space a canvas that buyers can work from when thinking about décor and how their belongings will fit into the home. Now we know that when people hear neutral they think of the lackluster whites and beige, but that’s not true. There are so many colour options that can become overwhelming but that why we are here to help.

Sherwin Williams – Alabaster

Alabaster is a white tone that was one of Sherwin Williams Colours of the Year for 2016.  This neutral is a great base colour to use when preparing your home to sell.  There is no blue undertones and it provides a warm and inviting feel. It pairs well with many other colours that can act as an accent in your space.

 

Benjamin Moore – Chelsea Gray


Chelsea Gray is the boldest of our colour picks.  We like this colour because it is versatile and pairs well with other greige tones that have been the rage in the last few years.  This Gray is bold and provides depth to any space.  It can be used as an accent wall colour or a whole room colour scheme if you aren’t afraid to be bold.

 

Sherwin Williams – Repose Gray


If you are looking for a soft gray with a beige or taupe undertone repose gray is a great choice.  It falls in the middle of the warmth spectrum not being warm but not cold.

 

Benjamin Moore – Silver Fox


Silver fox is another great colour.  It isn’t silver as the name may make you think. It is more of a gray beige that gives you that warm and cozy feel that everyone is looking for. This colour is a great pick if you looking to warm up your space.

 

Paint vs. Stain on Wooden Decks

Posted on: by Owner | Painter

With summer quickly approaching and the good weather making more frequent appearances many people are starting to think about refreshing an old wooden deck or maybe even building a new one.

There are many things to think about when deciding to use paint vs. stain on wooden decks. Wood has many great features and characteristics making it a favourite for many opting to build a deck. As there are so many different things to consider we thought we’d help you out by highlighting the pro and cons of each method.

Leaving your deck unfinished is an option with certain types of woods but generally we suggest applying a sealer, stain or even paint to protect your surface. Unfinished surfaces tend to crack, warp and even rot earlier than if the wood had been protected. Spending a little more money early on can save you lots in repairs and maintenance in the future.

Painting Your Deck:

Pros

  • Paint gives you many different colour options and can thoroughly cover old colours if the deck has been painted in the past.
  • Depending on the finish and colour of the paint, it may make it easier to clean the deck. (Light coloured paints are going to be more difficult to maintain)
  • If there are any imperfections in the wood paint can mask this and fill any grooves as it is often thicker than stains and sealers.
  • If you’ve had to add new boards paint will hide them as though they were never replaced.

Cons

  • Once you choose to paint your deck it’s very hard to undo that decision without labour intensive work so be sure that paint is what you want before putting on that first coat.
  • Paint will hide the natural characteristics of the wood. We often choose wood for its natural beauty and paint will hide this.
  • Painted surfaces often become slippery when wet especially if glossy or semi-gloss paint is used so be aware of the finish you choose.
Painted Deck - Image from http://davidjfestacarpentry.com

Painted Deck – Image from: http://davidjfestacarpentry.com

Staining / Sealing Your Deck

Pros

  • Stain maintains the natural beauty of the wood
  • Stain creates a less slippery surface than paint
  • The application of stain is often easier as it is thinner than many paints and is more forgiving if you are to miss a section. In general stain is easier to work with in this type of application.

Cons

  • Paint will often stand up longer thus stain requires more frequent reapplications.
  • If you’re looking to hide any imperfections stain will not often do so as it enhances the colour of the wood versus hiding it. (What is a pro can also be a con depending on what you are looking for)
  • You have to be careful with your colour selection and application of stain. If you have replaced some board and are using a light colour you will see the colour variation clearly.   As well, you need to be careful when first staining the crevices because if too much stain gets on the top surface the colour along the edges will darken.
Stained Deck - Image from: http://members.nadra.org

Stained Deck – Image from: http://members.nadra.org

As you can see both options have some great characteristics. When choosing between paint and stain you need to look at your needs and what suits your outdoor space the best.

At Domain Decorating we love the natural beauty of wood and often look to enhance it using stains and sealer but paint is another great option depending on your needs.

We are always here to help no matter your painting needs so feel free to contact us if you are looking to update your outdoor living space and want to leave the work to the professionals.

How to Prep a Wall for Paint

Posted on: by Owner | Painter 3 Comments

Wall Prep

The correct preparation before painting a surface is key to a beautiful and long lasting paint job. We’ve compiled a list of things to do to ensure the best quality possible. For a flawless clean look you should follow a these simple steps on how to prep a wall for paint.

  1. Clear the space you are going to work in. Remove any furniture and décor items. Any items that cannot be removed should be moved to the centre of the room.
  2. Lay down a drop cloth (preferably cloth as it is not slippery) and cover any remaining furniture with plastic.
  3. Remove everything from the walls including pictures, nails, fixtures, electrical covers and window coverings
  4. Repair any damage with filler. Sand off the excess and clean up any dust. Sometimes larger repairs may require multiple coats, as filler and spackle tend to shrink when they dry.
  5. Smooth any uneven surfaces such as loose paint or left over spackle.
  6. Clean the walls using a mild cleaner. Avoid leaving any residue from the cleaner on the walls as this can have an effect on how the paint adheres to the surface. Follow up with a rinse using just water to ensure all cleaner is removed.
  7. Prime any spots that were filled so that they blend in to the new paint to ensure there is no shine in the spots that were repaired.
  8. Tape off any fixtures that could not be removed.
  9. We suggest using tape to remove any excess fluff on your roller before applying paint. This will avoid any small fibers in the paint that is applied to the wall.
  10. Depending on the current paint on the walls you may want to consider priming the entire surface. Primer is needed when covering oil based paints or paints with a gloss or semi-gloss finish.

(more…)

Common Painting Mistakes

Posted on: by Owner | Painter 8 Comments

 

Project with Homestar BC

There are some very common painting mistakes that novice painters commit frequently leaving a space looking less than perfect. There are a few simple tips that we’ve complied here at Domain Decorating that’ll assist you in making your painting projects easier and the finished product look great

Using cheap paints

Low costs paints are often low quality as well. These paints are difficult to apply and don’t usually stand the test of time. Your project will take longer and you’ll have to repaint much sooner. The original savings will cost you time and more money in the long run.

Not preparing your surface for paint

Even if your walls appear clean it is good to give your walls a wash. Clean walls allow for the easiest and smoothest application of paint. Correcting any flaws or imperfections in the walls is also important. Make sure if you fill any holes that you remember to prime them so they don’t have a different finish than the rest of the wall.

Using poor quality brushes and rollers

Just like cheap paint, cheap supplies will also cause your paint job to appear less than perfect. Poor quality rollers and brushes will make the job take longer and often you will be needing new brushes faster as the cheap ones start to fall apart and leave those pesky brush or roller fibres on the wall.

Applying your second coat to quick

Patience is key when taking on a home painting project. If you fail to allow adequate time to dry between coats you’ll often begin to see brush strokes in your paint or the paint will start to pull off the walls and appear patchy. All paints have different directions so make sure you know the recommended times for your product.

If this is all a bit too much for you, you could always hire a professional painter whose years of experience has taught them the tricks of the trade. At Domain Decorating we pride ourselves on our high quality paint and supplies. Our staff and their attention to detail is sure to get your project done to the highest of standards. We make sure we follow the above mentioned tips as well as many others that are required for a high quality paint project.

For more information or a free quote contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you. For more tips or design ideas follow us on Facebook.

Benefits of Refreshing your Paint.

Posted on: by Owner | Painter 3 Comments

Refresh
Repainting your home is an easy and inexpensive way to update or refresh your space. Repainting offers immediate results at a low cost.

Appearances aren’t everything though… Here are some of the other benefits of refreshing your paint.

Increased Value

Painting the walls and trim of your home can increase its value which is great if you’re thinking about putting it on the market.

Minimizes Dust and Dirt

Painting your walls will help to keep dust at bay and promote health and wellness. By trapping the dust or removing it completely allergens can be dramatically reduced.

Protects the Walls Surface

Paint protects your walls and surfaces from everyday wear and tear allowing them to stand the true test of time.

Hides any Permanent Marks

If you’ve got difficult stains or marks that won’t come out with even the most gallant of efforts, painting can be a great way to cover them up and refresh your walls.

Promotes a Positive Outlook

Fresh paint can give you a new outlook on your space. Light colours in a small space can make them feel larger. Vibrant colours can bring a sense of playfulness and warm tones in the bedroom can promote relaxation and restfulness.

Painting the interior of your home has many advantages to offer. With our knowledge and expertise we can get your home in tip top shape. We can have you loving your space and feeling great at the same time.

For more information or to request a quote, contact us at Domain Decorating.