• General Subject Information: Simply defined, stains are liquids that penetrate into the surface (usually wood) allowing the grain to be visible, while paints cover the surface of the material thus making the material not visible. Stains can be clear (without pigment) or semi-transparent (with some pigment). For the most part, stains do not last as long as paint. Correct preparation of surfaces to receive paints and stains, and the selection of an appropriate product for the use intended are essential in achieving a satisfactory finish. Adequate homeowner maintenance and refinishing at suitable intervals are equally important. The durability of painted and stained surfaces is also directly related to the exposure to which it is subjected. Surfaces that receive direct sun or the full force of storms can be expected to require more frequent refinishing. The first coat of paint, the one applied during construction, is the coat that will last the shortest time, as the material beneath the paint absorbs a much greater percentage of the first coat of paint than successive coats.
Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to change a room. But choosing the right paint colors for your home can seem like an overwhelming task.
Paint, accessories, fabric, furniture, and flooring should all blend, so take a good look at the room you will be working on, preferably before you choose a paint color, and decide what will stay in the room, and what you may want to move out of the room.
Painting windows and trim is a popular DIY project with many homeowners because it gives us an opportunity to do something rewarding, improve our home and save money.
It’s important to remember however that painting windows, doors and trim with oil based paints is an involved process and requires more steps and care than simply painting interior walls with latex based paints. Because of this added complexity and cost, it’s wise to take the proper steps to ensure the job is done right and reduce the risk of wasted time and money.
When it comes to home improvements, few projects provide the combination of low cost and high value that a fresh coat of paint can provide. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that painting the house, both the exterior and the interior, is one of the few home improvement projects that can actually pay for itself. The money you put into buying paints and supplies can more than pay for itself in increased home value, not to mention the psychological value such an improvement can bring to yourself and your family.
Water damage can come from a variety of sources including surface or rain water, underground water under hydrostatic pressure or internal sources. Waterproof paint applications in effected areas can solve these problems for you.
The next time you take a shower, consider the damage you may be causing to your home. Actually, one shower won’t cause moisture damage in itself, but together with washing clothes, steam from cooking, and dishwashing, a good deal of moisture is added to the atmosphere of your home each day. And on the outside, rain and snow regularly drop a good deal of moisture on your house. All these factors can cause extensive damage both to your home’s appearance and structure. Moisture can cause ugly rusting or decay of building materials, and blistering or peeling of painted surfaces. It can warp wood, and promote mildew and other fungi growth on our home.
Bob Vila of This Old House fame tells people to “…be kind to their neighbors when picking a color scheme.” His house painting advice is echoed by realtors and builders across the country. The color that you paint your house, they say, can affect the value of all the other houses in your neighborhood. That’s one of the reasons that many homeowner associations limit house painting color choices for homes in their communities.
Fall is the perfect time of year for painting, both indoors and outdoors. Temperatures are falling, the sun is not as harsh, and the humidity index is down. If painting indoors, windows can be opened to provide good ventilation. If painting outdoors, the climate is right to provide proper drying and adhesion of paints.
The proper surface preparation for any painting project is to remove any paint that is flaking and provide a reasonably clean surface. For a first coat, the use of a paint primer or specifically formulated undercoat paint is generally the best method to ensure that the final or decorative coat has proper adhesion to the surface that you are painting.
Yes, home is where the heart is. The kitchen is the heart of the home.
Our home and kitchen is the heart of a big, messy remodeling project. We decided to update our kitchen with new cabinets, countertops, and floors. While we were at it, we also want to revise the traffic flow, which means moving some of the plumbing and electrical.
My husband, Randy, decided we would do the remodeling ourselves rather than contract someone to do it. He once built an entire house and it is still standing after 20 years, so I trust he can manage the workload provided I supervise.
So, the house is getting a little dingy, and you want to liven it up, with a new coat of interior paint. Here are some handy tips and how-tos.
First, look into what you intend to do with the renovation. You’re converting sweat equity into dollars and cents in your home, and you’ll want it to look nice. There are plenty of interesting techniques for painting interesting patterns on the walls, from sponges and distressed acid baths to carving balik stamps and creating regular patterns that way.
Once you have decided that you need a Primer or a Sealer to get the best results from a painting project, it is important to be able to carefully choose the best type of product for the application.
As with paints, there are two broad classifications of primers and sealers: latex or water-based products, and alkyd or oil-based products. Both types can be used for either interior or exterior use. In addition there are also shellac-based primers that have alcohol as their thinner.
