Painting Tips.

How to Select Your Interior Colours

  • Light colours will help lighten a dark or poorly-lit room, and provide a psychological lift. Light colours also make walls and ceilings appear to be further away, and can be used to make small rooms appear larger and more open.
  • Dark colours can give a room a dramatic look, and create a sense of intimacy. They can also make walls and ceilings appear to be closer, and can be used to make a large room appear smaller and more cozy.
  • Bright, vibrant colours will give the room a cheerful feel, and a sense of excitement.
  • Reds, yellows and oranges are warm colors. When these colours are used in a room, they make the walls appear closer, creating the illusion of a smaller room.
  • Violets, blues and greens are cool colors. When these colors are used in a room, they make the walls appear farther away, creating the illusion of a larger room.
  • Tans, greys, and off-whites tend not to attract attention, and can be used to create a restful, relaxing atmosphere. They are also easier to coordinate with other colours in the room.
  • For long, narrow rooms, paint the shorter walls a darker colour. This will make these walls appear closer together, so the room will seem less like a tunnel.
  • For square rooms, paint one wall a different colour, preferably the wall first seen when entering the room. This will give the room a more dramatic look and make it seem less 'boxy'.

How to Ensure a Quality Painting Project

Here are four key steps that will help any painting project begin on the right foot:

  1. Before the project begins, clarify and agree on any change orders or amendments to the original specification.
  2. Have all stake holders sign the final contract and agree on the payment schedule.
  3. The owner/property manager must meet the site foreman. Once the job begins you will be dealing with the foreman for all day-to-day questions or concerns.
  4. Relax! Your painting project should be an exciting and enjoyable experience.

Follow these four basic steps and you are on your way to a successful painting project.

Adding Value to your Building

Are you thinking about selling a property?  If so the quickest way to add value to your building is a fresh coat of paint. Here are some tips for getting the most “$” out of your paint job:

1. Colour and Sheen. Choose colours and sheens that complement your building’s style and character. For example, do not paint a character building with a contemporary colour scheme. In the end, the building’s color scheme will look confused and so will any potential buyers.

2. Pay attention to the details. Accent any unique or special features on the building. Ensure that your building’s curb appeal “pops”, it is the first thing potential buyers will notice. Power wash any surrounding walkways or landings. A clean building is a well-maintained building. Having a freshly painted front door welcomes potential buyers and will add to a better first impression.

3. Choose the right contractor. Preparing a building for sale requires experience and skill. Make sure that your contractor can offer insight on colour and design. Moreover, ensure that your contractor can deliver the project on time and on budget. A new paint job can add thousands to a sale price and dramatically increase the speed of the sale.  If you choose a contractor solely based on the lowest price, you could be left with disastrous results. A professional company has painting techniques that are tried and tested through years of experience that will add value and beauty to your home.

Follow these three basic steps and you are on your way to a quick and profitable sale.

Latex vs. Oil Paint for Interior Paint Jobs

In any interior paint job, choosing the correct paint system and painting techniques, is crucial. There are two options; Latex or Oil.

Latex paint is a very user-friendly choice. Being quick drying and low odour, acrylic paint is a great choice for any job involving on site tenants. As well, latex paint is both easy to apply, and simple to clean up. Benjamin Moore offers wonderful acrylic paints that are completely environmentally friendly, zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and are completely durable and washable.

These factors, combined with its ability to hold colour and breath make acrylic latex the best choice for most interior walls and flat ceilings. Opposing the popular belief, a latex based system will also adhere to any surface just as effectively as an oil system, provided the appropriate primer is used.

Oil based paint isn’t as user friendly as latex paint, possessing a strong odour and requiring paint thinner for clean up. But oil paint makes up for these deficiencies with sheer durability; it is harder drying, more durable, and more washable then most latex paints.

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Painting Tip

When you paint the ceiling, put a scarf, shower cap, or old baseball hat over your hair and some plastic over your eyeglasses.