A Residential Painting Contractor’s Guide to House Painting

Repainting the interior or exterior of your home can be an exciting time. But it can also be a little overwhelming choosing the right color or finish – which is why the team of residential painting contractors from C.E.T. Painting is here to offer you a bit more insight into this type of home improvement project. Here we’ve collected both some interior and exterior painting pointers, as well as the value you get from hiring a team of professionals like C.E.T. Painting.

Value/Durability vs. Color

When it comes to choosing the right painting materials for your home, you might have your heart set on a specific color, but perhaps the value of the paint might not be up to par; it could be less durable than other, similar hues. This can make choosing the right paint color particularly difficult for homeowners. However, professional painters always recommend choosing value over color. This is because a high-quality paint that might be a similar hue could offer you many more years of protection on the interior or exterior of your home

Exterior Design Painting Tips

The outside of your home is the first thing people will see, so it’s no surprise that choosing the most durable and attractive paint is key. Taking your home’s exterior into account is important for choosing a paint that will work well color-wise, but also adhere to your exterior properly. For example, houses with brick or stucco exteriors will need to have a different paint type than homes with more traditional siding.

When it comes to choosing the right color for your exterior, always keep in mind that less is more. After all, you don’t want your home to stick out like a sore thumb, so creating a good color balance is essential. That’s why more neutral colors are recommended. Additionally, hiring a reliable exterior painting team will ensure that the process is quick and easy; they’ll have all the tools to get the job done efficiently.

Interior Design Painting Tips

You can be a bit more creative when it comes to painting the interior of your home. But again, there are some important factors to consider. Unlike your home’s exterior, your interior paint color can also affect your mood, which is why many suggest warm neutral, or calming colors that offer a sense of tranquility. These range from grays and beiges, to gold or tan colors

Also, consider the size and space of each room or area you’re painting. A smaller room should be painted with a color that makes it feel more spacious and appear larger, like a lighter color. Larger rooms you want to feel a bit cozier should be painted with darker colors to trim away some of that sense of open space.

Choosing a Paint Type

Just like there are many different colors of paint, there are also many different paint types, each with their own advantages. Here are a few basic tips when it comes to choosing a paint type:

  • Broader walls should be painted with flat sheen paint or an eggshell color to reduce any unevenness.
  • Both the walls and ceiling need to be painted in bathrooms. Since there is a high percentage of moisture in bathrooms, semi-gloss paints are recommended.
  • For fixtures like doors and trim, it’s best to use semi-gloss paint as it can be easier for cleaning and wiping off stains and handprints.
  • Always use quality brushes; this gives your paint job a more even finish.
  • For those with pets or kids, consider using semi-gloss or satin paint, which is much easier to clean and keep looking fresh.
  • Don’t be afraid to spend a bit more on a higher-priced paint; this usually means it will last longer and look better. Price point, more often than not, is a good indication of quality.

A Few Painting Techniques Before You Go

As always, for larger paint jobs, it’s best to hire a reliable residential painting contractor. But for those DIY experts who want to try painting parts of their own home, keep these things in mind.

  • Clean Dirty Surfaces Before Painting: You should de-gloss or clean oily or dirty surfaces before priming or painting your home. This is because if you don’t the paint won’t adhere properly and be more likely to peel more quickly.
  • Paint Should Be Rolled Along Edges: To make sure your paint job is a consistent texture, it’s important to always use a roller when painting edges and a brush when painting areas with trim.
  • Mix Your Paint Properly: This is a big one that if done improperly, can result in a painting disaster, with discolored paint on the walls or exterior. You can always have your paint mixed at your local hardware store but if you’re doing it yourself, take the proper amount of time to mix it and ensure it’s the right color and consistency; this is especially true for those who have to mix more than one paint color to achieve the right hue.
  • Use Painting Tarps or Cotton Cloths: Plastic is certainly cheaper and might seem ideal to catch paint drips, but it can be quite slippery and cause accidents, especially if there’s drippy paint all over it. That’s why using tarps made of cotton or painter’s cloth is much more beneficial.

Let us be your residential painting contractor!

If you’re in need of exterior or interior home painting services, the team from CET Painting can certainly help revitalize your home. We also offer carpentry services and much more, so contact us online today or call (914) 615-1415.

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