Painting Tips And Information

Sheen is a measurement of the amount of light reflected from a painted surface. It’s the gloss level of the paint finish or lack of it. The higher the sheen the more reflective it will be. Picking a sheen can be as overwhelming as choosing a paint colour, but it’s an important part of deciding how you want a space to look and feel.

Choosing a sheen can be confusing because some manufacturers use names for their paints that are different than the common industry standards, like eggshell and satin. To further complicate matters, you can’t assume that eggshell paint will be the same across the board through all manufacturers. One company’s eggshell paint might be shinier than another.

Talk to the salesperson at a paint store about the characteristics of their particular paint sheens or ask your painter who will be familiar with the sheen level of the products they use.

If you’re more confused than ever about paint sheens, don’t worry we’ll dive into deeper detail.

Types Of Paint Sheens

Most paint sheens are available for interior or exterior use. Here are some of the options:

• matte or velvet
• eggshell or low lustre
• satin or pearl
• low gloss or soft gloss
• semi gloss
• high gloss

Eggshell Or Low Luster Paint

Eggshell or low lustre has a slight sheen that is higher than matte, but lower than satin or pearl. It’s the most commonly used sheen for interior walls. It may not look that different from matte paint when viewed straight on, but from even a slight angle you can see that it has more sheen. 

Technology advancements have created high-quality eggshell paints that can be extremely durable. They can be used in spaces where traditionally a higher sheen was more suitable such as kitchens and bathrooms. You can choose an eggshell paint that has been designed to hold up to moisture and humidity and has mould and mildew resistant properties.

Eggshell seems to be the sheen that varies the most between paint manufacturers. One company’s eggshell can be more like a satin, whereas another company’s might be closer to a matte finish.

Satin, Pearl And Low Gloss Paint

As satin and pearl sheens have become more durable they have been the home decorating trend for doors and trim work for the last decade or more. It’s a nice sheen for highlighting architectural details, it gives a bit of distinction from walls that have an eggshell or matte finish. 

Satin finishes are also used on exterior house trim and sometimes on siding. It can repel water and is more resistant to dirt and stains than lower sheens. It’s also a popular choice for exterior doors.

Low gloss is a sheen some paint manufacturers offer. It has a sheen slightly higher than pearl or satin and slightly lower than semi-gloss paint. It’s another option that is suitable for trim work and doors.

Semi-gloss Paint

Semi-gloss paint has a lot more sheen than eggshell and is a step up in sheen from pearl or satin. It has a fair bit of reflection, is resistant to dirt and scuff marks and is easy to clean. It used to be the popular choice for trim work and doors but has dwindled in popularity in favour of satin and pearl finishes.

Kitchens and bathrooms were commonly painted with semi-gloss because it was the best finish for washing off food stains and could withstand the humidity in bathrooms. There are now plenty of high-quality eggshell sheen paints designed for use in these spaces. Semi-gloss would still be the best solution in high-grease areas like commercial kitchens or where trim work receives a lot of abuse.

High-gloss Paint

High gloss is the highest sheen of all the paints. It’s extremely glossy and highly reflective. It can be a bold and glamourous finish, think of a shiny black piano as an example of a high gloss finish. The surfaces need to be near perfect. Any flaw will be enhanced so proper surface preparation is a must. Application by brush and roller is not recommended. The best finish will be achieved by a person experienced in spraying paint. Surfaces you may see it used on are front entry doors and cabinets.

Summary Of Paint Sheens

Lower Sheen Paints

• help hide surface imperfections
• can have a more user friendly application
• easier to touch up
• less washable
• can hold onto stains
• not as durable
• lower reflection, shine and glossiness
• give a truer appearance of a colour

Higher Sheen Paints

• can enhance surface imperfections
• can more readily show brush and roller marks
• can be difficult to touch up
• stand up better to washing
• more stain resistance
• increased durability
• higher reflection, shine and glossiness
• can be harder to see true colour when there’s a lot of reflection or when viewed at angles

Everything above is not a hard and fast rule when it comes to paint sheens. The quality of the paint can greatly affect its durability regardless of the sheen level. A high-quality paint of a lower sheen will have greater durability than a mediocre paint of higher sheen.

The characteristic properties of a particular paint may make it level out better and therefore not show brush or roller marks as much. Or it may touch up better or have some additive that makes it more scuff-resistant, regardless of the sheen.

What Are The Most Common Choices For Interior Paint Sheens?

Eggshell sheen remains the most common choice for the interior walls of a house and a satin or pearl sheen for trim work and doors. Matte has become more popular. It can even be used in a bathroom thanks to innovative paints like Benjamin Aura Bath And Spa matte finish.

Sheen choice can be a matter of personal preference, some people find shiner surfaces attractive and others prefer a matte look. The intended use of the space should be taken into consideration as well as aesthetics when it comes to choosing a paint sheen. 

Examples Of Sheens Used In Home Interiors

The photo below shows walls with an eggshell sheen paint and a semi-gloss on the trim work. The increased reflection can be seen on the trim work.

In the room below the decorator chose to use the same colour on the walls, baseboards and trim work. In a space with lower ceilings the use of a continuous colour from the bottom to the top of the walls can give the illusion of more height. There’s no break up of the wall with a different colour. To give the trim work and baseboards some distinction from the matte walls and a more durable finish they were painted with a satin sheen paint.

Completely white interiors have been a trend for the last few years. In this home the walls have been painted with durable matte paint and a satin sheen paint has been applied to the baseboards.

The interior of this modern home has a matte sheen on the walls and pearl sheen on the trim work, baseboards and doors. It depicts the subtle and soft look the owner wanted to achieve. These lower sheen finishes don’t draw attention so they allow the other décor to equally be a part of the overall design.

Using higher sheen paints that would cause more reflection on the walls and trim work would not have worked with the particular style of the home.

This rancher has detailed interior trim work and crown mouldings. The homeowner didn’t want a lot of reflection that occurs with semi-gloss paint. A pearl sheen paint was used on the trim work and doors. It offers durability and a bit of distinction from the eggshell sheen on the walls.

Choosing Paint Sheens For Exterior Surfaces

When choosing the sheen for exterior painting it is important to think about the practical considerations of the paint and not just how it looks aesthetically. A flatter paint will hide imperfections better but it can hang onto more dirt and won’t hold up to abrasions and scuffs as well. A higher sheen paint will be easier to wash and you’ll find that dirt won’t adhere or stain the surface as easily.

The drawbacks to a higher sheen are more reflection which may not be a good look for surfaces with patterns or texture. This is why most wood siding is stained or painted with a flat sheen. Stucco is usually painted flat as well. Hardie board siding is usually painted flat, but some people choose to use a satin sheen. The wood trim work on Hardie board houses is usually painted with a satin sheen paint due to its ability to repel water and dirt that window sills and other trim work are more prone to collecting.

Examples Of Sheens Used On Exterior Surfaces

A decorator directed the sheen choices for this house’s exterior. They wanted a flat sheen paint used for the siding which gives an overall softer look to the house. It also allows the deep midnight blue colour to be fully appreciated due to the lack of reflection. A high-quality flat paint was used, but it will be more prone to scuffs and dirt retention in comparison to a higher sheen paint of the same quality.

When looking down the siding at an angle there is no visible reflection in the flat paint finish.

The house has a satin sheen paint on the Hardie board siding. There is no right or wrong decision, the pros and cons need to be weighed for each sheen choice and the preference of the look.

You can see the reflection of the satin sheen paint on this Hardie board siding. Notice how it highlights or enhances the texture of the siding. The benefit of the high-quality satin sheen paint on this house is the resistance to dirt and stains.

The reflection on the brown siding of this house is very noticeable even when viewed from straight on. This is an example of how sheen levels can vary between paint manufacturers. Notice how the higher sheen paint takes on a “plastic” look. It is a satin paint, but would be considered a very high level of sheen for a typical satin paint.

The modular home below has Hardie board siding and wood shingles painted with a satin sheen paint and the trim had a stain applied which has a flatter sheen. In the photos it’s hard to see, but the siding has a bit of a sheen to it. However, this particular paint manufacturer’s version of a satin sheen is much lower than some others.

The Hardie board siding and trim work of this home was painted with flat paint. The builder did not want any sheen in the products being used.

These cedar shingles are stained, generally stains have little to no sheen to them. It’s a subjective opinion, but a paint product with a higher sheen would not be an aesthetically pleasing look. The extra reflection and shine would highlight all the texture in the wood.

This modern style farmhouse exterior is painted entirely in a light off-white colour. It’s not easily seen in the photo, but it’s a satin paint that has been used. It’s probably not as noticeable because the siding is vertical versus long stretches of horizontal Hardie board where a higher sheen would be more detectable when viewed from an angle.

Sheen Affects Paint Colours And Paint Colours Can Increase Sheen

Just when you thought you had a good grip on how paint sheens work, it gets more complicated.

We’ve already talked a bit about how sheen affects paint colours or their apparent colour. A matte sheen for example lets you see the most pigment of the colour because of the low reflection. A higher sheen paint reflects any available light, whether natural or artificial it bounces off the finish and skews how you see the colour. The same colour in two different paint sheen can look very different.

Paint tints in larger volumes can alter the sheen of a paint. A very dark or vibrant colour that requires a lot of tint or colourant will intensify the sheen level of the paint it’s put in. It’s not by a significant amount, but something to keep note of if you’re looking at dark colours and you don’t want a lot of shine, go down in the sheen scale.

Pressure washing house exteriors conjures up varying opinions. It can be an excellent tool for certain surfaces but can do more harm than good to a home’s exterior. Houses can withstand a variety of weather conditions, but they were not designed to have high-pressurized water shot at them.

It takes little water pressure to inflict aesthetic damage to wood, such as lines and gouges, and furring of the grain as well as cracking, chipping, and splintering. It’s not only wood surfaces that are vulnerable, high-pressure water can cause window seals to break and brick mortar to loosen.

If you’re pressure washing your house solely for cleaning and not to prepare for painting, extreme care must be taken to avoid removing any paint. Beyond that, the finish may develop marring and areas of variable sheen. This will be an unsightly appearance that will remain until the house is repainted.

Even more concerning is the damage that may not be immediately apparent. Water can get up into your soffits or seep behind your siding. Anywhere a house has gaps is a potential entry point for high-pressure water to work its way in, Once it’s in the wall cavity it can be difficult for it to evaporate.

The siding below is made up of stained cedar shingles. This example of very soft wood can easily be damaged with a pressure washer set too high or brought too close.

How To Clean James Hardie Siding And Related Products?

Just like wood, the finish on Hardie Board siding can end up with marring and all kinds of irregularities from pressure washing. Furthermore, the company itself does not recommend pressure washing its products. Their website has suggested methods for cleaning Hardie Board siding. It states not to use a pressure washer, but only the low pressure of a garden hose and a soft to medium (non-metal) bristle brush as the best way to remove dirt and debris.

Never Pressure Wash A House That Has Lead Paint

It’s never a good idea to pressure wash a house that has lead paint, even if it’s buried deep in past layers. You don’t want to run the risk of lead paint chips getting spread throughout your yard and contaminating the soil. It will continue to pose a threat to your family and any future owners.

What Is The Best DIY Way To Clean A House Exterior?

Hire A Professional House Cleaning Company To Get The Job Done Effectively And Efficiently

If cleaning your own house seems like too daunting of a task you can hire a professional house cleaning company. The majority of these businesses have a low-pressure washing system, otherwise known as a “soft wash”. They use low-pressure extension wands to apply a cleaning solution from a truck-mounted tank. The debris and dirt are scrubbed before being rinsed away. In some cases, they may employ the proper management of a low psi pressure washer. Reputable companies will ensure water does not get behind your siding.

Pressure Washing Does Not Kill Mold, Mildew And Algae

Pressure washing alone does not kill mold, mildew, and algae. It just detaches it from the house and spreads it around the surface where it can regrow. Furthermore, with areas of accumulated mold or mildew, there is a tendency to increase the pressure or get closer to the surface. This increases the chance of inflicting damage to the house exterior. To kill spores the surface needs to have an appropriate cleaner applied and be agitated before rinsing.

What Surfaces Are Appropriate For Pressure Washing?

Pressure washing can be an effective cleaning tool when used at lower pressures to clean decking and at medium to high pressure for patios, pavers, sidewalks, and driveways. When cleaning these kinds of surfaces, caution must still be exercised. Decking can be harmed with too much pressure and concrete and asphalt can suffer from pitting and surface degradation, as well as having pieces blasted away, particularly at the edges and seams.

Care needs to be taken when pressure washing driveways, patios, and sidewalks near the house. Bits of debris or rocks can get shot at it and cause paint chipping. How do we know this? We’ve been the paint company that’s been hired by the homeowners to fix the damage, usually an overhead garage door. The bill was picked up by the pressure washing company of course.

Is It A Good Idea To Pressure Wash A House To Prepare It For Painting?

Pressure washing is a common method of preparing a house for painting. The goal of trying to blast off loose paint is where a lot of damage can occur. It’s certainly an effective method of paint removal, but it’s a fine line between that and causing damage to the surface. If water gets in behind the siding and then the house is painted and caulked shortly thereafter, it could further seal in the moisture.

In Summary

If any type of surface on your property is being pressure washed make sure the individual doing it is experienced and knows how to handle the machine. The pressure washer is only as effective as the person using it. An unskilled person can easily cause a lot of damage.

The reality is that many homeowners don’t know what to expect in terms of service and quality and what to expect from a painting contractor. They may not be aware of the difference between a mediocre and an excellent quality paint job. Unfortunately, there have been some low standards set in the painting industry. This has led to the acceptance of subpar work. Once you’ve seen what an excellent painting looks like, any inferior work will become glaringly obvious.

The aesthetics of a paint job are so much more than the colour. The foundation of a good paint job is the preparation. If the surfaces were prepared poorly or not at all it won’t matter how beautiful the paint colour is.

One of the telltale signs of a bad paint job is the lack of precision in the cut-in areas. Cut-in lines should be sharp and straight where the walls meet the ceiling and where the walls meet up with the baseboards, door, and window trim. This takes time to master. It’s a skill that can be improved upon with practice, but not everyone has the dexterity or the patience to do it well.

The application of paint onto the surfaces should have a consistent, smooth, and uniform finish. There shouldn’t be streaky brush marks, lap marks, ridges, runs, drips, or sagging in the paint. The paint finish should not be full of chunks and bits.

The photo on the lower left is an example of a poorly done cut-in against the window casings. There are spots of wall paint on the trim and the line defining the trim and wall is not straight. On the right is a precise cut-in of the wall paint against the trim work.

Below on the left is a poorly done cut with wiggly lines above the baseboard and on the right how it should look, straight and precise.

In the photo on the lower left the cut-in is wavering along at the meet-up of the wall and crown molding. In the photo on the right, it is precise and straight.

Paint Shouldn’t Be Where It Doesn’t Belong!

Wall paint shouldn’t be haphazardly spilling over into the sides of the window or door frames. Most importantly wall paint should not be up into the ceiling, this has to be the worst of the poor painting techniques. Cabinets, floors, light switches, outlets, electrical fixtures, door hardware, and hinges should be free of paint.

Below in the photo on the left, you can see the wiggly line at the top of the wall and where the wall paint incorrectly extends into the perimeter of the ceiling. On the right is a proper cut in line creating a straight and precise line where the wall and ceiling meet up.

It goes without saying that paint should not be on flooring, furniture, or personal belongings. This is beyond unskilled painting, it’s just plain carelessness. The surfaces and items in the painting space should be protected with drop sheets and plastic. There may be items on the surfaces being painted that need to be masked and taped.

Full Paint Coverage And Number Of Coats Of Paint

Proper paint coverage means there shouldn’t be any areas of thin coverage or shadowing of the previous paint colour coming through. This is an area we find the homeowner doesn’t know what they don’t know. After years in the industry, it’s easy for us to look at a surface and instantly see that it doesn’t have the full coverage that it should. Quite often we can see the cut-in areas have paint sparsely applied and there are misses within the rolled areas of the walls and/or shadowing of the previous colour coming through.

Rarely is there a situation where one coat of paint is acceptable no matter how expensive or high quality the paint is. A minimum of two coats of paint is what is required in almost all situations to give adequate and full paint coverage. There are times when more than two coats are required. This is most common when there is a drastic colour change, usually applying a light colour over a dark colour or when choosing a vibrant colour.

Sanding, Sanding And More Sanding

It’s been said that it would be more accurate to call a painter a professional sander, at least a good painter. Sanding is one of the most overlooked aspects of painting preparation. It’s a large part of what makes up a quality paint job. Each time a surface is painted without being sanded or sanded properly it adds to the demise of the surface aesthetics. Depending on the circumstances it can also lead to paint failure. By the time a house is ten or twenty years old, it can look dreadful if it’s had one bad paint job after another. Sanding the walls, trim work, and doors before painting ensures a smooth and uniform finish. Any past drips, runs or sags if there are any present in the painting should be sanding out of the walls, trim work, and doors. An overall sanding removes any anomalies and excess texture that may be present in previously applied coatings.

Patching and Caulking

The preparation for painting can take a significant amount of time if the surfaces being painted are in poor condition. The walls should be inspected for nicks, scratches, and dings. They should be filled and sanded along with any unwanted nail and screw holes from pictures or artwork that was previously hung.

There can be situations where walls are in very bad condition and require an extensive amount of patching. It takes time and patience to fill and sand all the imperfections in rooms like the one shown in the photo below. The extra effort is well worth it when you see how much better the walls look after they have been repaired and re-painted.

Caulking is an important part of the painting process and there’s a skill to applying it. It’s used to conceal gaps and cracks and add to the overall quality of the paint job by giving it a seamless finish. There’s no such thing as a good-looking paint job that’s applied over a back caulking application. Caulking is applied within trim work joints and the joints where the walls meet up with the baseboards, the door and window casings, and crown moldings. Caulking should be done before the painting. If it’s not painted over it can discolour and become a magnet for dirt and dust collection.

Removing Hardware Prior To Painting

Anything that can easily be removed should be such as switch plate, outlet covers, door knobs, towel bars, etc. Anything that has to be left in place is protected from paint and a good painter knows how to paint around these items without leaving highly visible brush marks.

High Quality Painting Products

A professional painter will not only use high-quality paint and materials, they will ensure that the correct product is being used for each particular situation. The painter will know when to use a paint with mildew-inhibiting properties or when a special primer or sealer is required. The materials used to apply the paint materials all play a part in the outcome, this includes the brushes, paint rollers, caulking, and patching compound.

It’s important to note that not all paint is created equal. The painter has a myriad of choices and price levels to choose from. There are different levels of paint quality in all company’s product lines that range from mediocre to excellent. Even the top well-known paint companies have lower-end products that are not as superior in durability and adhesion. Every company has at least one cheaper paint known as a “builder’s grade”.

View our exterior painting work and interior painting work to see more examples of what professional quality workmanship looks like.

There’s several questions to ask yourself before making the decision whether to hire a painter or do it yourself. What quality of work are you capable of? How much time is it going to take you? Do you have any painting equipment? If not, how much is it going to cost to purchase all the materials to complete the work? To get an idea of what’s involved in quality done job take a look at our Interior Painting Services and Exterior Painting Services.

A professional painter will be well equipped with everything they need. They get paint and other materials for the job at a painting contractor rate which is substantially cheaper than what a home owner would pay. Taking all of this into consideration you have to decide if in the end it’s worth your time, effort and expense to do it yourself. 

Painting Knowledge

You can have confidence that a professional painting contractor knows how to do the proper preparation to the surfaces to ensure a long-lasting finish. Painting is a lot of work and there are many details to consider from choice of roller sleeves and brushes to what type of paint and finish is best for your particular project. You can get this information from staff at a paint store, but they won’t be visually inspecting your property. A painter will see issues you may have overlooked and be able to assess if there is any special preparation required. 

Quality Of The Work

Can you achieve the high quality workmanship of a professional painter? The importance of experience can’t be overstated. We have often been witness to the mishaps of poor quality work. A poor quality outcome in the finished look or a product failure can occur because the correct preparation work was not done. Common aspects of inexperience include uneven surface finishes caused by improper rolling techniques, wiggly cut in lines, paint overlapping into the trim work or into the ceiling perimeter.

Clean up

This is one area you don’t have to worry about when you hire a professional. You don’t have to deal with cleaning up the mess. Garbage and empty paint cans will be taken away and recycled and disposed of. The work will be done with as little disruption as possible to your household. 

Time And Efficiency

Homeowners are often astonished at how a professional painter can make such quick work out of what may seem like an insurmountable task to them. They do this everyday so naturally they are efficient at their job. We have met many people throughout the years who are capable of doing descent job of painting their own homes, others….not so much. Even if you can do a half descent job do you really want to spend your precious weekends or holidays painting your house? Or do you want to pick away at it in your spare time and have a project that should take a few days turn into weeks?
It may be best to hire a professional to let them do what they do best and you can concentrate on what you do best or do something that you actually enjoy. 

Safety

There may be tall ladders required for interior work or tricky painting situations in stairwells. Exteriors may require heavy extension ladders or other special equipment. It’s not worth risking your safety if you’re not a person who is used to dealing with ladders. Leave this work to an experienced painting contractor. 

Get multiple painting quotes as you should for any work being done to your home and learn why there can be a wide price variance in painting estimates. Don’t focus solely on the price, read the quotes carefully to see what you are getting. Ask follow up questions if you need to.

Take the time to find out who you are letting into your home and around your family, pets and belongings. The company should be able to provide several references along with their contact information. Past clients should be able to vouch for the quality of the work and the professionalism of the company from the start of the job to the finish.

Why Hiring A Painting Contractor Can Be More Difficult Than Other Trades

Finding a reputable painting contractor can be a bit more challenging compared to other trades. There can be good and bad people in any profession, but painters seem to have a vast spectrum of work quality and ethics. Their professionalism can range from excellent to dreadful and unfortunately downright scandalous. The work can range from near perfection to careless. Another reason for the variance in quality and experience is because painting frequently turns into a temporary fall back job when someone finds themselves out of work.

Where To Start When Looking For A Painting Contractor?

Get a referral from someone you trust and more importantly who has the same quality expectations that you do. If your family or friends don’t know of anyone ask another trades person, building contractors, interior designers or a realtor. Paint stores are another good source for referrals.

Once you have a few contacts make arrangements for the painter to meet with you at your home or job site. They should take the time to look at the work space, listen to your concerns and questions and go over the details of the project.

Important Considerations To Make When Choosing A Painting Company

Who will be doing the painting and what experience do they have? You might like the person who comes out to do your estimate and feel confident in them, but will they be doing the actual work? Do they have their own long term employees, how much experience do they have? Do they use temporary, seasonal or subcontracted workers? Will there be a supervisor or owner of the company present at the job site? While there are companies who have skilled and trustworthy employees, there are some that have a constant rotation of staff. The exterior painting season is when you’re most likely have companies with temporary or seasonal workers. They book large volumes of work starting in the winter or early spring and then hire extra people based on the bookings.

Scheduling For The Job

What is the schedule for the job, will it be started and finished on time? Will it be continuously worked on until it is done or intermittently worked on in between other jobs? The last thing you want is a company that overbooks work, doesn’t stick to schedules or show up when they say they will. These things drag the job on for much longer than it should be.

A Checklist Of Questions For The Painter

• Is the company licensed and do they have WCB coverage and adequate liability insurance?
• Are references with contact information available and are there examples of their work?
• What is done to protect your home and belongings during the work?
• Is any money to be paid up front or in installments during the work? What form of payment is accepted and when is the final amount due?
• Is the quote price a fixed amount or is it subject to change or have add-ons?
• What type of preparation work do you do?
• What type of paint will be used and how many coats will be applied?
• What is the time schedule for starting and finishing?
• Who will be doing the painting and how much experience do they have?
• Is there anything that I need to do or prepare before the painting starts?

What Traits To Expect From A Professional Painter

A professional painter is committed to providing consistent high quality work. They have a passion for what they are doing and take pride in all the details of their craft. Other traits of a professional painter include:

• Punctual
• Courteous
• Good communicator and willing to answer questions
• Manages customer expectations, let’s them know what can and can’t be done
• Strives for consistent excellence in their work
• Cares about the customer being satisfied with the work and overall experience
• Honesty, lets the customer know if a particular job is not for them
• Up to date with changing technology and products and current trends
• Organized and efficient

Things To Watch Out For When Hiring A Painting Contractor

• Does the person seem professional and are they courteous and easy to talk to? Did they arrive on time for the estimate or at least call you if they were running late? Did they provide the estimate or return your phone calls in a timely manner?
• Don’t accept a verbal quote or a quote with very little detail about the work to be done.
• Be wary of a painter that is asking for a large sum of money up front or has to get you to purchase the paint.
• Be cautious about an estimate that appears much too low or too high.
• Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions. If the painter gets defensive or won’t answer the questions don’t hire them.
• Watch for fly by night companies that won’t care about the end results or be around to deal with any issues that may arise after the job is completed.

Painting quotes can be all over the map and this can make it difficult for a homeowner to make a decision. A higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better job, but with a low price it’s usually safe to say you get what you pay for. Make sure you know what to look for when choosing a painting contractor, price alone should not be the determining factor.

Something is being compromised if a painting quote is being offered far below the average cost. The steps to do quality work takes time. The varying levels of preparation work or lack thereof is one of the main reasons for price discrepancies. Prep work can make or break the look of the finish and have an impact on the longevity of the paint. On some projects, the preparation can take longer than the painting itself. The goal of a painter offering a cheap quote is to get colour on, surface preparation will not be a priority.

Other variables that can influence the cost of a painting quote are the quality of the paint and materials, the number of coats of paint that are being applied and a lack of experience. A low priced job is likely to be rushed because the company or painter is trying to make maximum profit by doing high volumes of work.

A Closer Look Into The Costs Of Painting

There are several other factors that can effect the price of a painting quote. It’s not reasonable to expect a professional painter to match the price of someone that has no credentials or insurances.

Does the company or painter have WorkSafeBC and liability insurance?

Who is doing the actual painting? Did the owner of the company show up to do the quote and impress you with their experience and skills but is going to send a much less experienced person to do the work?

Are you getting a knowledgeable and experienced employee or the student that was hired for the summer? Is the worker an actual employee of the company or is the work being subcontracted to a painter, you may not even know this is occurring

Is the quote a fixed price? Make sure you are not getting a low quote only to find out that extra costs will be added along the way.

Make Sure The Quotes Allow You To Compare Apples To Apples

The homeowner has to take some responsibility to ensure the quotes are covering the same scope of work. The painting contractor can only go by what you show and tell them.

When a homeowner has several painters come out to their property the owner may start to discuss different ideas during those visits. The work continues to transform and change with each subsequent contractor. Each painting contractor may end up quoting for something slightly different than the last. This makes it difficult to accurately compare the quotes.

The price you receive doesn’t have much merit if the quote is lacking detail. A painting quote should outline the preparation work, the specific type of paint and the number of coats that will be applied. If you don’t have this information on all quotes then how can you compare?

There are a lot of ways to make a space appear larger than it actually is by utilizing just a few of the techniques below.

Using Monochromatic Colours To Create A Feeling Of Space

• Palettes of lighter softer colours, neutral colours or colours of the same shade will keep a room looking open and airy. 
• Keep the colour contrast to a minimum between the walls and the ceiling. A shade of white is the most common colour to paint ceilings, but if the wall colour is light enough you can consider using the same colour on the ceiling. 
• Carry the same colour family throughout an entire home to create harmony and flow. Different colours in every room can make a house feel cut up.
• Repeat a pattern in one room to the next adjoining room. Or echo the colour of one room into another with accents such as throw pillows or lampshades. This pulls your eye through to the other room. 
• Choosing a colour that mimics what is outside your windows to give the room a sense of expanding to the outside.

The lighter colouring of the walls and the monochromatic colour scheme of the decor makes this room feel light, airy and spacious.

By painting the walls, baseboards and trim work in the same colour it tricks your eye. If the baseboards were done in a contrasting colour such as white it would create a perimeter around the room and emphasize the small floor space. By having a consistent colour on the wall and baseboard it doesn’t break up the wall and helps to minimize the fact that the ceilings are only eight feet in height.

 

Scale, Placement And Colour Of Furniture

• It’s better to use fewer larger well-appointed pieces of furniture. Having a large number of smaller pieces can make a room look cluttered. 
• If possible allow for space between your furniture pieces and the walls to create a sense of openness. 
• Furniture in colours close to the wall colour gives the illusion of a bigger room, furniture colours that contrast with the walls breaks up the space making it feel smaller. 
• Choose sofas and other furniture on legs. This creates more of an open feeling than furniture that sits directly on the floor. Other good options are open armed seating, slatted backed dining chairs and glass tables to keep a room feeling airy.
• Choose furnishings in shades and patterns that compliment each other instead of ones that compete in colour. Furniture in solid colours is better in a smaller space. Create interest using textures instead of patterns. If you do use patterns in fabrics keep them subdued and on a smaller scale. 
• Try to place furniture so that there is a spot for your eye to move along the longest distance of the room. 
• If you’re designing a new kitchen or renovating take the upper kitchen cabinets right up to the ceiling to give the illusion of more height. 
• Use multi function pieces to help minimize the number of items such as beds with drawers, sofa beds, expandable dining tables, nested tables and storage chests as coffee tables.
• Use an appropriate size area rug. Too small of a rug will make a small space feel even smaller. A rug in a light colour will reflect and bounce around more light. In some cases it might be best to skip the rug altogether so that the eye sees continuity throughout the flooring. 

The large scale bed, dresser and end tables work in this small bedroom because they are the only furniture pieces.  A few accessories in a similar colour keep the room feeling uncluttered. The walls and carpet in a similar colour make them drop into the background and keep your eyes focused on the furnishings instead of the size of the space.

 

Well Placed Mirrors Reflect Light And Depth

• Hang a large framed mirror to create the illusion of depth in a small room.
• Prop an oversize mirror against the wall for a dramatic effect, especially if it’s a floor to ceiling height. It will reflect a large portion of the room making it feel more spacious.
• Angle mirrors toward a focal point to give a sense of depth or place it near a window to reflect a view of outside.
• Placing mirrors on walls across from each other creates a look of space going beyond the walls.
• Group a bunch of mirrors together with the same colour frames to keep it looking uncluttered. Or layer smaller mirrors on top of larger ones to reflect light and create a sense of depth.
• Mirrored cabinet fronts help to reflect light around small spaces.
• Place a mirror along the counter top in a small kitchen.

Using Light To Create A Sense Of Space

• Natural light is one of the best ways to open up a space, when it’s not possible to compensate with artificial light.
• Let your eye extend beyond the room and outside a window. Leave them bare if privacy is not a concern or use simple shades or blinds that can be pulled out of the way during the day.
• Curtains stop the eye for looking through the window and can add yet another element to a small room that makes it feel cluttered. If you do hang curtains place the rod higher than the window and up close to the ceiling. To make the window feel taller. Extend the width of the curtains past a small window to make it feel wider. Keep the curtain colour the same as the walls to keep the eye moving along the wall. 
• If the view out of your window is not appealing bring attention to something else by placing a beautiful plant or decorative display piece in the window. 

Clearing Clutter And Allowing A Room To Breathe

• Nothing will make a space feel smaller than a bunch of items that are fighting for attention all over the room.
• Create a focal point or feature area that the eye will be drawn to and arrange the furniture to help draw the focus to that area. Keep the rest of the room décor to a minimum.
• A large piece of artwork or photo works well in a small space to create a sense of grandness. 
• In rooms with low ceilings draw the eye up with vertical lines or a set of artwork or photos arranged towards the ceiling.
• Let the room breathe by placing well chosen accessories. Take advantage of key display areas such as the coffee table, end tables and fireplace instead of areas all over the room.
• Allow small entry ways, foyers or hallways to feel welcoming by using narrow console tables and keeping it light weight visually. 
• Don’t block pathways or have areas where people have to squeeze through. Allow the eye to flow freely through the room. The further you can look into a room the bigger it will feel.

Keep Up With Exterior Maintenance And Painting 

It may sound counter productive, but painting more often will save you money. Exterior painting goes far beyond aesthetics, it one of the layers of protection for your home. Many home owners wait far too long to re-paint until there is an extensive amount of scraping, sanding and re-caulking to be done. The extra labour to do this preparation will greatly add to your painting costs.

Neglecting the exterior maintenance of a home’s exterior can result in wood rot, excessive mold or mildew build up or water ingress. Wood siding or trim work that is not kept well protected with a layer of paint or stain can become prone to warping, cupping or cracking. Having to hire someone to replace damaged wood can be costly, especially the it’s on the higher levels of the house.

You should do a visual inspection of your house at least once a year and and keep on top of any issues you see arising. It’s not uncommon as painters to show up for an exterior quote and have to inform the customer that the have rotting siding or fascia boards, or that the majority of the caulking on their house has deteriorated.

The wood below has been left to deteriorate to the point that it’s severely cracking and peeling. This leaves the wood exposed to the weather elements. Hours of preparation labour would be needed to prepare it for painting, if the wood is even worth saving.

Luckily this scenario was not as bad as it could have been, the siding was still in relatively good shape.

Don’t Neglect Parts Of The House That Are In Need Of Painting Because You’re Waiting Until The Whole House Needs To Be Done

A mistake that some homeowners make is allowing one portion of their house to suffer because the rest of it is not necessarily in need of painting. It can be make economical sense to paint a portion of your house when it needs it. You may have a particular side of your house that is exposed to intense sunlight or harsh weather that will require painting before other areas.

Trim work and in particular the fascia boards may become weathered, faded or discoloured, but the body of the house is still in good condition. By painting just the trim it can give a fresh new look to the entire house.

Use Quality Paint And Do The Proper Preparation

The importance of using a high quality paint on the exterior of your house can’t be overstated. Low quality paint will break down faster, fade faster and may allow the house to accumulate mildew or mold at an accelerated rate. However, the highest quality paint is only as good as the surface preparation that was done prior to its application.

The same goes for interior painting. A low quality paint is going to mark and scuff easily. It may not stand up well to humidity in areas of the home or could accumulate mildew. It may stain easily and if you try to wash or wipe a low quality paint it may leave noticeable steaking or burnish marks.

Tips For Saving Money On Interior Painting

Schedule Painting While The House Is Empty – If there is the opportunity to schedule painting before you move into a newly purchased home take advantage of it. Not only will it be reflected in a lower painting quote, it will be a lot less stressful for your family.

Paint In Winter – Consider booking your interior painting in the winter months. Often this season can be slower for the painting industry and contractors may offer discounts, particular in the months of November through February.

Book Several Rooms Or The Whole House At Once – Having a contractor come in to paint several interior spaces at the same time is more cost effective. It’s less effort and more convenient for the contractor to do so, versus returning on multiple occasions and setting up equipment and supplies each time.

Save The Painting Contractor Time – Anything done on the home owners part to allow the contractor to focus on painting will help reduce the cost. This should of course be agreed upon beforehand and written into the painting quote. Having to work around difficult furniture, move furniture, blinds, or other window coverings all take up time. Contractors take many factors into consideration when doing an estimate.

Multiple Interior Paint Colours Increase Painting Costs – Homeowners may not realize that it can be more expensive to paint a house interior in multiple paint colours, both in paint and labour costs. For example a typical bedroom might take a gallon and a half of paint. If that’s the only room being painted in a particular colour the half gallon goes unused instead of being utilized elsewhere.

It takes the painter more time, effort and expense to paint a number of colours.. Each colour requires a different brush, roller, tray, brush bucket, liner, etc. When painting with one colour a painter can efficiently transition between rooms or come back and forth between spaces applying first and second coats as drying time allows. Time is not taken up having to change from one colour to the next and work with all the different brushes, trays, etc. as mentioned above.

Accent Or Feature Walls Costs More – More often than not even a small accent wall requires a full gallon of paint to be purchased so it may add to the overall paint costs. It also takes more time and effort to precisely cut in the accent wall against the adjoining wall colours.

Omit Painting Closets If They Don’t Need It – Unless you’ve done it yourself most people don’t realize how time consuming it is to paint a closet or pantry that has a lot of shelving or an elaborate hanging system. In the closet example below we would remove the metal shelving, leaving the mounting hardware in place. This makes it easier to paint, but we still have to cut in around dozens of mounting clips and it takes time to remove and re-install the shelving. If the closets need to be painted so be it, but if they are in relatively good condition and you’re fine with the colour leave them out to keep the painting costs down.