Prep work important before painting

Painting a home's interior can give it a completely new look and feel. A fresh coat of paint can make a room feel more vibrant and up-to-date, creating a whole new attitude within the room without breaking the bank.

Whether creating an accent wall or painting each wall within a room, painting is a relatively easy and inexpensive home improvement project. But that doesn't mean painting does not require a little prep work before the project can begin.

* Address any holes or bumps on the wall. Holes or cracks in the wall will need to be patched with spackle, which then must dry before the wall can be given a new coat of paint. In addition, sand down any bumps until the walls are smooth and free of any unsightly abnormalities.

* Wash the walls. Walls can get dirty, and that dirt may or may not be masked by paint. Before adding a new coat of paint, wash the walls and inspect them for dust. Dust can collect on molding, especially in rooms that get little natural air. When dust has collected on the molding and around doorways and trim, use a damp cloth to wipe it away before adding any new paint.

* Apply primer. Primer can serve many functions, not the least of which is its role as a bonding agent between the wall and the top coat of paint. Primer can also help conceal dark colors, prevent stains and increase the life expectancy of the paint job you are about to undertake.

* Prepare your paint. Preparing the paint is a simple task, but one novice painters may not be aware of. When opening a new can of paint, stir the paint before using it. In addition, even if you don't plan to use a roller when painting, do not paint straight from the can, which can be heavier to hold than a small bowl, and a light bowl is less likely to be spilled than a potentially heavy can of paint. In addition, once paint has been removed from the can, replace the lid so dust and other impurities do not settle in the can.

* Purchase painter's tape. Painter's tape can be especially valuable to novice painters. Painter's tape makes it easier to paint smooth and clean paint lines, giving a room a more professional looking coat of paint without the cost of hiring a professional painter.

Painting can be an inexpensive and fun way to upgrade a home's interior. But even though painting does not require the technical know-how of more large-scale home improvement projects, it still requires some prep work and attention to detail to ensure the job is done right.

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Caution necessary when painting indoors

Few people might think of potential safety hazards when planning to paint the interiors of their homes. Though every home improvement project can lead to injury if safety measures are not taken seriously, painting is widely considered a project where do-it-yourselfers are at minimal risk of injury. But in addition to the injury risks associated with climbing up and down ladders to paint ceilings or out-of-reach corners, there are some health and safety concerns that painters must consider before beginning their projects.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the majority of paints contain chemicals that evaporate in the air, and these chemicals can adversely affect human health. Problems associated with chemicals found in some paints include eye and throat or lung irritation, headaches, dizziness, and vision trouble. Professional painters exposed to paint vapors over long periods of time can develop problems with their nervous systems, liver and kidneys, and some chemicals found in paint have been linked to elevated cancer risk.

Though painting is often an enjoyable home improvement project, painters still must take the following precautions to ensure their safety when painting the interior of their homes.

* Read product labels carefully. Paints vary considerably with regard to how hazardous they can potentially be, so it's best to read paint can labels thoroughly regardless of how experienced you are at painting. Labels provide safety instructions specific to that particular paint, including suggestions to reduce hazards and advice on what to do should users develop any adverse health effects.

It also helps to reread labels once the painting project has been completed. Labels often include instructions on how to clean or discard products and tools after use, as well as suggestions on where to store paints or other products used during the project that may be flammable.

* Paint during the right time of year. Exposure to chemicals found in paint can be reduced considerably if you paint during the right time of year. Spring and fall make ideal seasons to paint, as the weather outside during these seasons is typically pleasant, allowing painters to open all of the windows without making conditions inside the home unfavorable.

* Open all of the windows and doors. While it's especially important to open all of the windows and the door in the room where you will be painting, it's even better to open as many windows and doors throughout the home, making sure to push curtains and blinds back to let the fresh air pour in. Keeping all windows and doors (use screen doors if you are worried about animals or insects entering the home) open promotes ventilation throughout the home, allowing for constant airflow that will usher any potentially harmful chemicals out of your home. If necessary, place a box fan within a window frame to promote cross-ventilation. Never turn on the air conditioner as a substitute for fans and open windows, as that will not be pushing any air out of the home.

* Seal paint cans tightly once the project has been completed. At the end of the project, you may or may not have leftover paint. If you have a small amount of paint leftover that you do not intend to keep, contact your local government to determine the best way to dispose of the paint. You also can do this if you have empty paint cans but are uncertain if they can be discarded with normal household trash and recycling. If you have a substantial amount of paint left, be sure the lid is closed as tightly as possible, as vapors can leak through poorly sealed containers, putting the health of residents at risk. Once again, read the label to determine the best place to store leftover paint.

Painting is widely considered a fun home improvement project. But if certain safety measures are not taken when painting the interior of a home, these projects can put the health of residents at risk.

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Add some fresh color to kitchen cabinets

Many homeowners dream of giving their kitchens a full-scale remodel. Though such a project can give a kitchen an entirely new look, that look does not come cheap. According to Remodeling magazine's 2013 "Cost vs. Value Report," homeowners can expect to spend more than $53,000 on a major kitchen remodel and recoup just below 70 percent of that cost at resale. So while the idea of a full-scale kitchen remodel might be a dream project, the cost of such an undertaking is beyond many homeowners' budgets.

But homeowners who cannot afford a full remodel can still give their kitchens a new look and can do so for relatively little money. Painting kitchen cabinets a new color or simply giving fading cabinets a fresh coat of paint can instantly add life to a kitchen, giving the room an entirely different feel without breaking the bank. The following are a few tips for homeowners planning to paint their kitchen cabinets.

* Assess your existing cabinets. Some cabinet materials, including wood and metal, can be repainted without much of a fuss. But other materials, including plastic laminate, are not so amenable to repainting, and will likely require specialty paints. Homeowners with plastic laminate cabinets should first paint a spot or two with a sample paint, being careful to choose a spot that's concealed. If the paint bonds well to the plastic laminate, then you can go forward and buy enough paint to redo all of the cabinets. If the paint does not take, consult a professional to find a paint that's likely to be a better fit. Expect this process to be one of trial and error.

* Plan for ornate cabinets to take a little longer. Painting projects will go faster when cabinets have flat fronts, but they can take considerably longer when cabinets are unique and more detailed. If your cabinets are ornate, then factor this extra time into your schedule.

* Remove the doors and hardware. When painting cabinets, it's best to essentially disassemble them, removing the doors, handles, knobs, latches, and any additional hardware. When removing hardware, be sure to set them aside in clearly marked plastic bags so it's easier to reassemble the cabinets once the fresh coat of paint has dried.

As doors are removed, number each door and its corresponding location, much like products that require assembly are numbered at the factory. This makes it easier to reassemble and ensures the cabinets and their hinges will align properly once you have finished painting.

* Don't paint dirty surfaces. Cabinet surfaces have likely collected their share of dirt, grease and grime over the years, so you want to clean these surfaces thoroughly before painting. Once surfaces have been cleaned, rinse them off and give them ample time to dry.

* Sand the surfaces. Once the surfaces have been cleaned and are completely dry, it's time to start sanding them. Lightly sand the doors using a wood sanding block, working to create a firm base to which fresh paint can easily adhere. Areas that are most exposed to wear and tear may require some extra elbow grease, and some areas may be especially flaky. When old paint is flaking off, this means the previous finish did not adhere very well to the surface, which is not necessarily uncommon in kitchens, where moisture and grease residue can make it harder for paint to adhere to the surface. In such instances, sand the flaky areas to the bare wood before spot-priming with a primer or sealer designed for areas with heavy staining. After all of the sanding is complete, vacuum the surfaces to ensure there is no leftover sanding dust before painting.

* Apply primer-sealer. Primer-sealer ensures the fresh paint will bond well to the surfaces, preventing conditions like flaking in the future.

* Paint the cabinets. After the primer-sealer has been applied, it's time to paint the cabinets. Begin with the inside edges and openings of the face frames, followed by the outer cabinet sides and then the front of the frames. Then move on to the cabinet doors and any drawer fronts you might be painting as well. Cabinets with more elaborate designs require closer attention to detail than flat cabinets. When painting, opt for thin coats, which dry more quickly and also create fewer visible brushstrokes. When applying multiple coats, allow the paint ample time to dry between coats. Four hours between coats is a good rule of thumb, and lightly resand all surfaces before applying the second and final coat of paint.

* Reassemble the cabinets. Once the final coat of paint has fully dried, carefully reassemble your cabinets and then enjoy the fresh and inexpensive new look that your freshly painted cabinets have created.

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Give your windows more character with colour

(NC)—White is the most common choice for window trim, but nine times out of 10, the wrong one.

While it is right for white or light-coloured houses with a cottage-y feel, or for the look of a seaside home, it is not right at all for houses built of natural materials or with colourful siding or stucco, say the experts. Bright white is too bold, the contrast too great—and the result is a busy façade.

“On stone and brick, as well as on tinted stucco or siding, whites need to be toned in and toned down to reduce contrast and create balance,” says colour expert and designer, Janice Lindsay, owner of PINK colour + design.

Choose off-whites and choose with care, Lindsay cautions: warm whites with warm palettes, cool whites with cool palettes, and putty or light grey with red brick or stone.

“If you have white windows, your trim needs to be the bridge between the window colour and the body colour of the home. The darker the body colour, the darker the white must be. Whites are hard to get right.”

Far easier and more interesting, she says, is to draw the trim colour from your home itself or from its surroundings. For example, the tan and ochre of wood (PPG Pittsburgh Paints Nettle, 312-4 and Camel, ATC-91); the grey-brown of tree bark (Granite, 521-6 or Ghost Ship, ATC-95) and the many colours found in stone walks and foundations. According to Lindsay, they all work as 'colourful' neutrals that harmonize white windows with the stronger colours around them.

Nature offers greens for every taste. For their timeless elegance, Lindsay says she likes muted sage (PPG's Mossy Gold, ATC-50 or Scottish Moor, ATC-51), dark teal (Dark Green Velvet, 503-7 or English Ivy, 505-6), and traditional black-greens (Pine Forest, 505-7 or Royal Hunter Green, 406-7).

“These greens look wonderful with red brick. And, yellow khakis like Lively Ivey (ATC-44), Tapenade (ATC-45), or Dill (310-5) look more contemporary when used with dark or neutral greys.” (Remember to choose lighter, transitional greens for trim if you have white windows.)

Reds are the colour complement to nature's powerful greens. Consider using them on window trim, especially at the rear of the house where their colour will outlast the garden flowers. (And yes, the trim on back and front can be different.) Did you know that on Fallingwater, perhaps the most famous house in the world, Frank Lloyd Wright chose the burnt red of autumn leaves (PPG's New England Red, 6432-7) for all the windows and trim, inside and out? Lindsay explains that it warms the grey stone he used throughout the house and creates a colour counterpoint to the exterior's golden neutral.

Finally there is black, white's alter-ego. Black gives windows depth. “It makes the mullions disappear and focuses the eye on the outside dimensions of the window—their shape and proportion,” says Lindsay.

Lindsay's parting advice is to use white for your exterior window trim if you can meet the challenges of choosing the right one, but don't overlook the more colourful options, “which are also easier to get right.”

www.newscanada.com

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Have more colour fun on the front of your home

(NC)—It is hard to let loose and have fun with colour on the front of our homes. We usually feel the need to restrict our whims to the front door—and what goes into the planters. But according to colour and design experts, there are a few more places for colour fun that won't upset the neighbours. Consider these ideas:

Step Risers. If you are using more than one colour on your exterior trim, alternate these on step risers. It will be playful but still well-behaved.

Porch Ceiling. Colour here has a big impact without rocking the boat. Navajo Red, from the Olympic line of solid-colour stains, is a terra cotta that works well with red brick or stone. A soft, mid-tone, almost-neutral green will complement yellow and red brick, as well as neutral exteriors. White is often used on porch ceilings to maximize reflected light but all light colours can do the same job and some—like Gold Buff (PPG Pittsburgh Paints, 215-4)—will do it better.

Blue is popular on porch ceilings in places like New Orleans. Blues brighten and lighten, creating a sense of sky, and they work with almost any colour scheme. Try Shipmate Blue, another Olympic solid colour stain, but you can choose any blue that blends into the larger palette of your exterior. Janice Lindsay, owner of PINK colour + design, encourages clients to push the envelope. “I like Olympic Wedgwood, a demure historical blue. It seems a bit cheeky—but only because it's unexpected.”

Porch Floor. Turn porch floorboards into a welcome mat by staining boards in alternating bands of colour. The rhythm can vary—single boards in your accent colour between two boards stained in your main colour; or two and two, etc. Just limit yourself to two or three hues chosen from your exterior palette and blend rather than contrast. Subtler palettes will be more elegant. Also from the Olympic stain palette, Lindsay recommends Sage and Seafoam with or without Woodland Green or Colonial Blue; or Beachwood and AquaSmoke, with or without AntiqueSilver. “Stripe the entire porch, or just the sitting area,” she suggests.

Furniture. Staining wood furniture creates a focal point. Complement your plantings. For example, use Olympic Amsterdam Blue on chairs that sit next to magenta geraniums or chartreuse plants; or try Olympic HarvestGold with any red.

These suggestions work equally well in exterior paint or solid-colour stain, but consider the difference in finish before making your choice of coating. For example, Olympic Maximum solid-colour stain will coat your wood with a flat sheen and let its texture show through. PPG's floor and porch enamel, in satin or semi-gloss, will give you a higher sheen and smooth surface.

Now if this isn't enough fun with colour for you, don't worry. There are still all kinds of opportunities waiting for you in a place where you can pull out all the colour stops—out back.

www.newscanada.com

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Hot New Colours for Home Exteriors

(NC)—With the warmth of spring comes a blast of much needed colour as plants and people come back to life after a long winter. Winter can be harsh, not just on us but on our houses. Now is the time to give your house a little TLC and take years off the face of your home.

Every season has a fresh new palette of hot colours. The same is true for home exteriors. “Rich grays, fresh blues and corals have been steadily growing in popularity inside the home,” says Sharon Grech, the colour and style expert for Benjamin Moore. “These colours translate to your exterior in shades that are understated and organic to work with the natural elements. Paints and wood stains are always a smart investment because they not only enhance the beauty of your exterior surfaces, but also protect them from nature's effects.”

Grech suggests limiting your exterior palette to three or four colours, including those of fixed elements like roof and cladding. Beautiful body and trim colours, such as Jute, Pashmina and Kendall Charcoal coordinate well with exterior stone and wood, and you can always accent with vibrant hues to showcase your personal flair.

“Since it is a relatively small area in contrast to the house, your front door is the one spot where you have the most versatility when it comes to colour,” says Grech. “Colour is powerful in the message it sends. For example a red door is daring, while a black door says formal and stately, like the one at 10 Downing Street in London, the famous residence of the British Prime Minister.”

Aside from choosing your paint and accent colours, she says, some of the most important factors to a successful exterior paint job include the quality of the products, proper surface preparation and a good application technique. The Benjamin Moore colours (featured in the photo) include Stonington Gray as the siding, Blue Nose on the shutters, Dune White as the trim and Concord Ivory on the door.

Online resources, such as BenjaminMoore.ca, offer tips, tool recommendations and colour matching to help you achieve the look you're after.

www.newscanada.com

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Lead Paint Hazards and Older Windows

 If your home was built before 1978 and you still have the original windows, it's time to seriously consider replacing your windows -- especially if you have young children or a pregnant person living at home.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the routine opening and closing of windows in homes built prior to 1978 can disturb lead-based paint around the windows, causing paint dust and chips to be released into the air. These lead particles are so potentially dangerous that the EPA now requires contractors to be trained and certified before they can perform any renovation, repair or painting projects that may have previously applied lead-based paint.

"Research indicates that the everyday activity of opening and closing windows creates friction that then allows invisible lead dust to enter the air," says Rick Nevin, a consultant to the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH). "Young children, who crawl on the floor where the lead dust has settled, can be especially at risk. Toddlers put their hands in their mouths ... and after playing on the floor near a window, they can easily transfer the lead dust into their mouths. The ingested lead travels through the bloodstream to a child's developing brain, causing many types of neurobehavioral damage."

According to Nevin, one of the most important long-term investments a homeowner can make for the overall safety of a family is to replace older windows, using the EPA-approved lead safe renovation guidelines.

"Replacing older windows is one of the best ways to reduce lead risks," says Nevin. "Make sure to use only a contractor that is certified in lead-safe work practices and strongly consider the use of ENERGY STAR(R) qualified windows, like the vinyl replacement windows offered by Simonton Windows(R). These windows are a healthy choice for replacing older single-pane units. They're energy-efficient and a good value for the investment."

"At Simonton, we advocate that replacing older windows coated with lead-based paint with vinyl windows is a sensible step for homeowners who want to create a healthier home environment," says Gary Pember with Simonton Windows. "We believe Rick's research substantiates the replacement of all windows coated with lead-based paint as a way to dramatically help reduce lead dust within that home."

Nevin explains that, according to his research funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), homeowners need to understand there are four key steps to completing a "lead-safe window replacement strategy" for the home.

"First, they advise replacing all single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows," says Nevin. "Second, stabilize any significantly deteriorated paint. Third, perform specialized cleaning to remove any lead-contaminated dust. And finally, perform dust wipe tests to confirm the absence of lead dust hazards after the clean up."

Research results can be obtained at www.ricknevin.com/windows. 

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"FRESH Home Exterior Colors" Guide Now Available

The new 30-page FRESH Home Exterior Colors guide is now available free online to help homeowners select the perfect colors for the exterior of the home. Written by national color expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color, the free downloadable tool is designed to make it easy for people to choose color palates that complement the exterior of the home.

"Enhancing homes with exterior colors is one of the hottest trends in the marketplace right now," says Smith, CMG, CfYH and a career color trend forecaster. "This step-by-step tutorial provides guidance and tips on understanding your home's exterior features and playing off of them with color accents. The easy-to-read flow of this guide explores how to evaluate which colors should be used on the main features of a home exterior -- including the roof, siding, windows, door and trim."

The comprehensive and colorful online piece was a collaborative effort of Smith and several building product manufacturers, including DaVinci Roofscapes(R), Simonton Windows(R), Therma-Tru(R) and Fypon(R). The free color guide is located on each company's web site, plus on the http://www.sensationalcolor.com/colorforyourhome/ Web site developed by Smith.

"We're looking at 'top down' color for the home in this booklet," says Smith. "To understand the colors that work best on a home's exterior, I encourage people to use the FRESH approach, which stands for Fixed features, Regional colors, Environment and surroundings, Style of the home, and Have-to-use colors."

As an example of using the FRESH approach, Smith recently coached homeowners in Arizona to work from the "top down" when selecting new colors and products for a ranch-style home. "After discovering the reddish tint to the stone around the property I first suggested a Sedona blend of colors found in Bellaforte(R) polymer roofing tiles," says Smith. "This combination of colors includes shades of medium and dark terracotta mixed in with light and dark clay tones to create an earthy color that works perfectly on many homes.

"The earthy colors played well with the region and the environment, so I next recommended an off-white painted siding with bronze frames on Decorum(R) by Simonton vinyl windows. Then, to move further down the home, I recommended both the Therma-Tru(R) Classic-Craft(R) Canvas Collection(TM) entry door and some of the Fypon(R) trim pieces around the home (including the shutters and louvers) be painted a burnt mocha color. These colors all combine visually to create an exterior scheme that suits the warm desert environmental setting and the style of this home."

The FRESH Home Exterior Color guide features professional exterior color guidance, advice and tips, along with full-color pictures and links. The free online booklet can be found at www.sensationalcolor.com, http://www.davinciroofscapes.com/color-studio.php, www.simonton.com, http://www.thermatru.com/products/entry/stain/index.aspx and http://www.fypon.com/design/. 

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Paint your world ahead of the curve

(NC)—Take a sneak-peek here at the trendiest decorating colours for 2012. If you have it in mind to refresh any of your rooms sometime soon, it's worth envisioning something that is totally new and totally hot. Use these trends from the colour experts at Behr Paints to give your home the most memorable—and the most enviable—rooms in town:

Santa Fe Today: Living Room, Family Room

This is a timeless country look with a twist that is welcoming in either the countryside or the city. The desert-colour palette is melded with modern furniture to deliver an exciting update to authentic Southwest decor. The warm sunlit room is a welcoming environment for rest and rejuvenation. Details include pottery, native textiles, denim, tooled leather, plus desert plant life for indoor gardens or terrariums. 

To create it, use: The Behr paint palette of Prairie Poppy T12-1, Stagecoach T12-2, Canyon Sunset T12-3, Darlin Clementine T12-4, and Lone Star T12-5.

Retro Recall: Den, Bedroom

This style reflects back on a time before the internet, mobile apps and social media. Interacting with computer games in the 70s and 80s meant going to the local video arcade and playing Pac-Man. Early screen colours were bright primaries, mixed with black, white and grey neutrals. Retro Recall is a clean urban style for “kids at heart” who remember the analog games of their childhood. Add cubed shapes, lava lamps, movie posters and action figures. Enhance this clean and urban look with touches of light-hearted, techno-geek nostalgia. 

To create it, use: The Behr paint palette of LOL Yellow T12-6, Red Wire T12-7, Reboot T12-8, Level Up T12-9,and Game Over T12-10. 

www.newscanada.com

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Newest 'mobile app' matches paint color instantly

(NC)—Now when decorating, you can act upon whatever inspires you in the moment.

A major paint company is giving us an easy-to-use, digital application to record, identify, and match any favourite color, on the go. It might be the blue sky in a park, a vivid red sweater, or an amazing shade of lavender fabric in a flowing curtain. If you want that color exactly, it can be yours. This newest app will match it immediately to just the right paint color.

Called ColorSmart by Behr Mobile Application, homeowners can download the touch-and-tap tool, free of charge from the Android Market and Apple iTunes App Store. For more information on the application and how to use it, visit behr.com/colorsmartmobile.

Here's how:

• Explore Color—Browse the range of more than over 2,000 color possibilities. Once a color is selected, you can further coordinate or preview it in a room image.

• Photo Match—Take a photo, or use an existing photo from your personal collection. Tap on an area in the photo and the application will pull up the three closest matching paint colors.

• Preview—Test your color choice by virtually “painting” the walls, trims and accents on room images. Zoom in to see details or remove a color and add another until perfect. You can also use the 'favourites' feature to save your favourite color combinations.

www.newscanada.com

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Fresh Paint a Great Recipe for Affordable Kitchen Remodeling

A remodeled kitchen is the fondest dream of many homeowners. But at an average cost of $56,000 for a "mid-range" upgrade according to Remodeling magazine, the price is simply too steep for most. That said, if you're on a budget, there's a great alternative: spending $100 or so to give your kitchen a whole new look with paint.

"Many people underestimate the dramatic change you can make in a kitchen with a little imagination and a couple of cans of paint," says Debbie Zimmer, color expert for the Paint Quality Institute. "But actually, you can use paint not only to freshen the wall color, but also to totally change the appearance of your kitchen cabinets."

The only ingredients you'll need to cook up a whole new look for your culinary center are some careful planning, a good eye for color, and a willingness to spend time in your kitchen with some paint cans as your companions.

Where to begin? Zimmer recommends that you visit the websites of major paint companies. On many, you'll find idea centers with paint palettes designed by professional colorists, and "visualizing" tools that allow you to pre-test your color choices online.

Once you've settled on a color scheme, it's time to paint. Assuming that you're going to do a top-to-bottom makeover, start by removing the cabinet doors, as well as the hinges and knobs. If you're going to re-use the hardware, put these items in a plastic bag so they don't get lost.

After placing drop-cloths to protect the floors, paint the ceiling first, then the walls, and finally, the trim. For easy maintenance, use top quality 100% acrylic latex semi-gloss paint: It will resist stains and stand up to scrubbing better than a flat paint. Now turn your attention to the cabinets again.

Scrub the kitchen cabinets and doors with a degreasing solution to remove dirt and grime. When they've dried, sand the cabinets to remove any loose paint and to provide better "tack" for the new coating. Use a wet cloth to wipe off any dust created by the sanding.

Next, apply a top quality latex primer to the cabinets. Use a roller wherever possible, and a small brush where necessary. Let the primer dry overnight.

Finish the cabinets in the same way by applying a coat of top quality 100% acrylic latex paint. Here, too, it's best to use a gloss or semi-gloss finish, since they are more stain-resistant and easier to clean. Don't re-install the cabinet doors quite yet. Wait until the paint is totally dry.

To put a perfect finishing touch on your kitchen remodeling, consider purchasing new knobs or handles for your cabinets either online or at your local home center. They're readily available in a wide range of shapes, styles, sizes, colors, and materials. One is sure to strike your fancy.

When your cabinets are restored and everything is done, stand back and take pride in your new kitchen. . . and in the thousands of dollars you saved by doing your own remodeling!

For more how-to information on home painting, as well as color and design ideas, visit www.paintquality.com or blog.paintquality.com.

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Banish Basement Dampness In a Single Weekend

Water entering a home's basement is very unpredictable. One minute the basement could be dry and the next there could be a river running through it. For homeowners, ignoring a water problem could prove costly and rob its residents of an otherwise enjoyable place to spend their time.

For concerned homeowners, protecting the basement from potential water damage is easier than you might think. Waterproofing a basement is a simple job that beautifies a space while protecting it against future damage from water. First, know what properties to look for in a waterproofer. The property that is the most important to look for in a masonry waterproofing paint is the ability to hold back hydrostatic pressure, which makes a waterproofer different than a water sealer and an ordinary house paint. Ordinary house paints merely adhere to the wall surface while masonry waterproofers penetrate the pores of the masonry to become part of the wall.

Most waterproofing paints will go through pressure tests that will determine the Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) the coating will hold back. It is also important that the coating be tested to withstand wind-driven rain.

The makers of DRYLOK Masonry Waterproofer developed the specs for hydrostatic testing. They state the PSI should be at a minimum of 4 psi, which is a wall of water 9 feet high. Look for products that have been tested independently on standard grade building materials. Be leery of products that say they will withstand above 15 psi (which is a wall of water higher than 33 feet), as a standard grade building block could never withstand that much pressure. In fact, independent testing facilities will not test products to over 15 psi.

Once you have selected your waterproofer, it is time for surface preparation. Examine the surface for loose or broken mortar or any holes or cracks in the surface. The surface should be clean and patched with a hydraulic cement, such as DRYLOK Fast Plug. Be sure there are no signs of efflorescence, which are natural salts leaching from the masonry surface. These salts should be cleaned with an etching solution or DRYLOK Etch, which is a safer alternative than Muriatic Acid. After cleansing, rinse the surface thoroughly.

A waterproofing paint is thicker than house paint, so it will take longer to apply, but its application is just as simple. Most waterproofing paints can be applied with a stiff bristle brush or a roller. Simply work the product into the surface of the masonry, filling the texture with the coating. The thing to remember is that this coating needs to perform a task, so it is important to follow the label instructions. The experts at UGL recommend applying the first coat with a nylon or polyester bristle brush for best results. The second coat can be applied with a brush or masonry roller. Follow directions for application carefully. If the area covered is more than the recommendation on the label, you're spreading the paint too thin. Two coats are usually sufficient to stop seepage. However, if seepage is still present after several days, an additional coat may be necessary.

Whether your plans are for a basement pantry, woodshop, laundry room or even a living room or play room, you have to start with a dry space and the best start is with a reliable, reputable waterproofing paint. Simple step by step instructions on waterproofing your basement can be found at www.ugl.com.

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Do-Or-Die Season for Exterior Painting

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, most of the country is entering the stretch run of the exterior painting season. If your house is in need of a new paint job, there's little time to waste: "Paint-friendly" weather is fast disappearing.

"Doing exterior painting in the right weather conditions is extremely important," says Debbie Zimmer, of the Paint Quality Institute. "Fresh paint forms a better protective film when it's applied in moderate weather like that commonly seen in early autumn. If your house needs to be painted this year, you need to do it now."

To appreciate the urgency, it's important to understand how paint "cures". While latex paint dries to the touch very quickly, it takes many hours for it to form the most protective paint film. If the temperature is very hot when the paint is applied -- or more likely as winter approaches, if nighttime temperatures get very cold -- that can harm film formation, and even lead to early flaking and peeling of the paint.

This point is vividly demonstrated on test panels at the Paint Quality Institute. Outdoor testing there shows that exterior paint applied in moderate conditions can last many years longer than paints applied in very hot, very cold, or even very windy weather.

Those extra years of service can offer homeowners a big return on their investment in an exterior paint job. As an example, if a new paint job costs $3,000 and lasts only five years, the annualized cost is $600; but if it lasts 10 years, the annualized cost is only $300 - half as much!

As the days get shorter and winter approaches, painting in moderate weather is one of the most important factors in getting a long-lasting exterior paint job. Other things that can affect the longevity of a coating aren't as time-sensitive, says Zimmer.

"To get the most durable paint job, it's always very important to properly prepare exterior surfaces and to use a top quality paint," she says.

Good exterior surface preparation requires that siding and trim be clean and free of dirt and mildew, so that the new paint can adhere properly. Of course, peeling and flaking paint should be completely removed, and any bare wood primed before painting.

As for the type of paint to use, studies show that high quality 100% acrylic latex paints are the most durable coatings for most home exteriors, including wood, masonry, vinyl and aluminum siding. These paints adhere well, they're tough, and they're very flexible, so they will expand or contract with the exterior when temperatures rise or fall dramatically.

Which brings us back to the weather: As the song says, "For everything, there is a season." When it comes to exterior painting, that season is now.To learn more about exterior painting, visit blog.paintquality.com or www.paintquality.com. 

To learn more about exterior painting, visit blog.paintquality.com or www.paintquality.com.

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Embracing Color on Your Home

 The growing trend of homeowners staying in their existing houses longer due to economic challenges has had a colorful effect on homes. People are taking the opportunity to personalize their homes more with colorful exterior accents and they're not stopping with just a splash of paint.

According to national color expert Kate Smith, homeowners are taking steps to express their personalities by adding color to everything from their roofs to their entry doors to their window frames.

"Today's homeowners are looking beyond variations of whites and beiges to set off the key accent points of their homes, such as louvers, trim and window frames," says Smith, president of Sensational Colors. "With the realization that they're going to be staying in their current houses longer comes the commitment by people to truly personalize their homes. This has resulted in eye-catching neighborhoods.

"As homeowners replace major components of their homes they place greater value on finding products with a long life span, lower maintenance and style. They are seeking out both a noticeable change and an improvement from existing products on the home. The ability to add a creative element, personal touch or signature color tends to 'bond' homeowners even more closely with their living spaces."

According to Smith, one of the hottest trends for exterior enhancements is to select vinyl windows with exterior color frames that complement the overall look of the home. She cites the Decorum by Simonton product line as one that offers everything consumers are looking for -- color, energy efficiency, style and low maintenance.

"With their minds on sustainability and their eye on good design, many homeowners are investing in color as a way to express themselves and reinvent their current homes," says Smith. "Simonton offers exterior window frame colors of brick red, pine green, bronze, driftwood and chocolate that perfectly match up with the earthy colors homeowners gravitate to for their home exteriors. These same colors can be drawn out further on trim elements of the home along with being component colors of the roof and entry door."

Along with offering colorful exteriors on their replacement window frame exteriors, Simonton also offers the same colors on new construction windows so homeowners can build with color confidence right from the start.

"A window is like a two-sided canvas," says Smith. "The colors on the frame exteriors enhance the home's overall appearance from the street. And then when you get inside and select stylish woodgrain frame interiors and premium hardware finishes, you're adding beauty to the room settings. That's a 'win-win' experience for any homeowner."

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Not All Painter's Tapes Are Created Equal Four qualities to look for that will assure a superior paint job

Whether you're an experienced DIYer or painting your first apartment, one of the most important decisions you can make in assuring a quality paint job is the choice of painter's tape. The right painter's tape can make all the difference in achieving clean, straight paint lines, and protecting surfaces that you don't want painted, such as glass, woodwork, wallboard, ceilings, and carpeting.

Before you buy your paint and painting tools, do your homework on the variety of tapes on the market. Read package labels carefully before making your selection. For most surfaces, a premium-quality painter's tape will do the job. Here are four essential qualities to consider:

Resistance to "bleeding." One of the biggest problems painters face is paint seeping under -- or "bleeding" -- beyond tape edges. This can cause messy lines and uneven workmanship, and result in the need for frequent touch ups. One product painting professionals recommend is Bloc-it(R), a high performance, professional grade painter's tape from IPG that's treated with a proprietary formula that eliminates bleed through, and delivers a consistently clean paint line. An independent comparison study of leading brands of painter's tape found that Bloc-it had the least amount of bleed on a painted drywall surface, which is among the most common wall surfaces in homes today.

Flexibility. If you have many architectural features or curved surfaces to paint around, consider tapes with fine crepe paper backing which bend and "drape" easily around light switches, moldings, window sashes, and door frames.

Ease of removal. A low-adhesive tape allows for easy removal, without leaving any residue or damage to the surface to which it is applied. It's a good idea to test your tape to make sure it doesn't pull off the paint; if it does, you'll need to purchase one with less adhesive.

UV resistance. Look for ratings that indicate the number of days the tape can be left in place and in direct sunlight. This is important to know to avoid adhesive transfer from the back of the tape to the wall surface.

It's essential that you educate yourself about the characteristics of painter's tapes and understand the surfaces you will be working with before you make your tape selection. It's a decision that will go a long way towards helping you achieve a quality painting job. For more information on Bloc-It by IPG, visit www.itape.com and select Bloc-It under the Consumer tab. Bloc-it is available for purchase on Amazon.com or HomeDepot.com.

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Paint and Primer

Painting is a job that requires preparation and the right equipment. Oftentimes homeowners are unsure about whether they need to use primer before painting or if just paint will do the trick. Although there are no firm rules, there are certain cases where one or the other will be adequate.

Consider a room where the walls have been heavily stained, either by moisture infiltration, rust or another factor. Deep-set stains may bleed through regular paint, therefore a primer should be applied to help block and lock-in the stain. When a room had previously been painted in a very dark color, like red or purple, a primer can help cover the color quickly without the need for multiple applications of regular paint. There also are specialized primers that can be used in rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms that often contain a lot of moisture. These primers inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on painted surfaces. Primers also may be used on materials, such as metal or plastic, to help the colored paint stick to the surface of the item. If a room is only to be painted white or tinted slightly with color, then a primer alone can be used. Certain primers seal porous wall surfaces so they do not absorb paint, requiring more coats for coverage.

Rooms that are being painted that are already white and free of stains or other surface abnormalities may be painted sufficiently with just a coat of regular paint. If skipping primer, look for a high-quality, thick paint that boasts good coverage in one or two coats.

There are new products today that offer primer and paint all in one combination. The jury is still out on the efficacy of these new items, but homeowners can experiment with these paints to see if they work for them. Keep in mind that the cost of a combination product may be more than traditional paint and primer.

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Create a white room fantasy

(NC)—Do you have white room envy?

A busy life makes the vision of a tranquil space – where light pours through fine, billowing sheers onto a shiny white floor and across rich textures of beautiful minimalist furnishings – very appealing. It's a fantasy place where the chaos of the world melts away, to be replaced by a peaceful calm.

But doing white right is hugely demanding and requires great discipline. White has rules. Here they are:

Natural light is essential. Natural light is full–spectrum. If it comes in from more than one direction, it sculpts the shapes in the room and brings white to life. Use white sheers to soften the look without reducing its light. Add shiny materials to bounce it around – polished marble, crystal, and mirror; light silks and satins. If you don't have lots of natural light, colour is a better option for you than white.

Get the right white. Pick white with the same care you would take to choose any other colour. Architects often use whites that are too pure, too cold and too loud. Their whites make it look as if you haven't painted yet. Instead, choose a toned white like Winter Mood (512–1) by PPG Pittsburgh Paints. It's softer, but still luminous. The bigger the room, the deeper the white should be. Paraffin (PPG Pittsburgh Paints, 521–2) will look white but not empty. In the country, choose a white that is a little warmer or a little more grounded such as Gravel (PPG Pittsburgh Paints 416–2). It will take the formal edge off white and relax it.

Paint ceiling and trim the same white as the walls. Or, to add a little interest without interrupting that sought–after white calm, add a pale blue–grey colour like Icy Bay (PPG Pittsburgh Paints 551–1) to put sky on the ceiling.

Explore sheen. Satin on the ceiling adds light and sparkle. High–gloss trim looks elegant in the city. Matte finishes are better in the country on all surfaces.

Colour Reduction. White is a snob. It likes its own company and finds any and every other colour an intrusion, so get rid of colour clutter and bring back only neutrals, very muted and faded pastels or, best of all, the colour that comes with natural materials like wood (blondes preferred), and metals (preferably silver or pewter). For drama use black's complementary colour, black.

Less is More. Better is Better. White rooms should not be overloaded with too much furniture and each piece must be worthy of attention. White will not camouflage dirt, damage or disorder the way colour does. Everything is revealed in a white room, so furniture becomes sculpture. Good or bad, it takes centre–stage, so every piece should be well proportioned and timelessly appealing, and each should have air around it. This keeps the room spacious and light on its feet.

Go for textured and tactile. While we covet white because it reduces the visual noise, it is very important to add tactile elements to keep it from looking and feeling clinical. Contrast shine and shimmer with a variety of textures from fur (faux is fine), velvets, and knits, to hand–scraped wood, hammered surfaces and raw, primitive things.

Go for seamless sensuality. If you have come this far, why not indulge all your senses? Animate your white space with aromatic candles, flowers and music, and the white–room fantasy will become your daily reality.

www.newscanada.com

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Find the right paint color for you

Painting is one of the least expensive, quickest and easiest ways to immediately transform the look of a room. With a change of color, any space can immediately take on a new personality. Choosing the perfect color for a room is key.

There's no right or wrong color, it's simply about homeowners finding the right hue for them. While it may be tempting to follow the trends, sometimes the "in" colors simply do not mesh with a homeowner's design style. In such instances it's best to go with what feels the best. Choosing colors that impart a certain mood can also help create a dramatic, comforting or energizing space.

Certain families of colors say different things and can create a particular atmosphere. Here are some common colors and what they can do for design.

* Green: If the desire is for a relaxing, all-natural retreat, green may very well be the color to choose. Green's connection to nature makes the shade refreshing and soothing to the eye. It can instantly create a calming effect in any space and homeowners need not worry about going overboard with shades of green. Complementary colors to green include shades of red and pink. Use this accent color in draperies or on prints. Fill a vase with magenta-colored blooms and add a special pop of color.

* Blue: Another calming color is blue. It can make a room serene and soothing. Blue is a cool color, which means it can also be used in abundance with little worry. Make a bedroom a quiet retreat with the right shade of blue. Atouch of orange or peach blends well with blue.

* Red: An energizing and dramatic color, red demands attention. It's stimulating and provocative, and some people love an entire room of red. However, to others red can be overwhelming. But red can be used on an accent wall or sparingly to spruce up a neutral color scheme.

* Purple: This color is often relegated to a girl's room, but purple is elegant and regal and can add a touch of romance to a room. Individuals torn over painting with red may want to try the drama of purple, which is a bit more subdued and mysterious.

* Yellow: There are few colors more uplifting than yellow. This hue is reminiscent of a bright, sunny day. A dark house can be brightened by painting a room in a soft shade of yellow that will reflect any visible light. From bedrooms to bathrooms to kitchens, yellow is a versatile, illuminating shade.

* Orange: Another vibrant color is orange. This hue can be captivating and friendly and also brighten up dull spaces. Orange adds energy to a room, so it may not be best for bedrooms or other calming retreats, like a den. Homeowners needn't paint a room pumpkin to get the full effect of orange. More subtle shades, like apricot or terra-cotta, can also add the power of orange.

* Pink: Pink is a romantic color and ultra-feminine. Pink has long considered nothing more than a bedroom color, but when used in the right fashion, it can also add spirited whimsy to a living space.

* Brown: This earthy, wholesome shade is rustic and rich. It can make a large room seem more cozy. It also exudes a feeling of sensuality and durability. Neutral shades of brown are very popular in homes because they can be paired with many other colors, including blue, green and pink.

* White: Some homeowners think the absence of color is ideal. White is fresh, bright and clean. It's also a timeless choice for consumers who can't decide on another color. White goes with just about anything, but if all white seems too sterile, think about mixing white with shades of beige for just a little color.

Experimenting with color can dramatically change the look of any room in the house. Consider using an online room simulator to try out different shades before painting. 

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Five Ways to Take the Pain out of Painting

For some people, exterior painting's a pleasure, but for others, it's a pain. If you find the project to be less fun than funk, here are five simple ways to take the pain out of your painting:

1. Simplify the color selection process. "Selecting an exterior color scheme doesn't have to be a white-knuckle experience," says Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute. "You'll seldom go wrong by applying a dark shade of paint to exterior walls, and using light contrasting paint on your trim." Want something a little more interesting? Simply adopt one of the color-coordinated palettes you see in paint company brochures, advises Zimmer. These are created by design professionals who have a keen sense of color. Be smart, and ride their coattails.

2. Speed up the work with power equipment. According to Zimmer, good surface preparation is important on every exterior paint job, but it doesn't have to be done by hand. Rent a power-washer! It will quickly remove any loose or peeling paint, dirt, grime, and mildew. You might even consider renting a power-sprayer to apply your paint more quickly.

3. Use a combination primer and paint. Getting a good paint job used to require a coat of primer and one or more coats of paint. Today, you can find coatings that function as both primer and paint in a single can, says Zimmer, who suggests that these combination coatings can greatly reduce the time and effort needed to finish an exterior painting project. Spend a little time searching for one of these painter-friendly coatings, and you'll save lots more time (and work) later in the job.

4. Invest in the best quality paint. With due deference to Charles Schwab, top quality 100% acrylic latex paints may be the best investment out there. Not only do these paints look smoother and more even when applied, but they're also tremendously durable compared to bargain-priced coatings. According to Zimmer, top quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paints typically last 10 years or more, compared to four years or so for ordinary paints. Think about that return on investment when you go to buy paint.

5. Paint in moderate weather conditions. While today's top quality coatings can be applied in a wide range of temperatures, there's no need to make exterior painting an endurance contest. "Mild weather and moderate temperatures are best for both you and your paint - making for more pleasant working conditions, and better conditions for the paint to form the most protective film," says Zimmer. High winds? Put the power-sprayer and ladder away. No need to compromise your safety, or the integrity of paint film that can dry too quickly in windy conditions.

As you can see, it doesn't take strong medicine to take the pain out of painting - just some common sense and careful planning. Apply equal parts of both and you'll be well on your way to more pleasurable exterior painting!

For more advice about exterior painting, visit www.paintquality.com. 

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Home décor Q&A: Zoning in on colour

Q: What is colour zoning?

A: Colour zoning (also known as colour blocking) is the intentional painting of shapes of colour within a room and it's a very hot trend in today's home décors. It opens up a whole new way of using and defining colour in a space. It's a great technique to add “punch” to a room without being overwhelming. Colour zoning can add definition, highlight interesting architectural elements, create a focal point, or function as artwork.

It's all about using colours creatively to add interest to spaces and bring rooms to life. People today invest more time in decorating their surroundings and are demonstrating this by using colour in unique ways to deliver personal style to their living spaces. Colour zoning is changing the way people think about paint and colour and the only limit is your imagination.

This technique usually requires a very small quantity of paint so it can be a very inexpensive way to accessorize your décor with fun shapes and colours. More information on colour zoning is available at www.sico.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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