Sheen Or No Sheen For Your Interior Walls? Painting Contractor Gives Pros And Cons

I have had many homeowners ask for my opinion as painting contractor, concerning the use of gloss paint on interior walls. Although most homeowners understand some of the advantages of using satin, or gloss paint, many do not understand the downside to their use. Yes, satin, or gloss paint will generally give a richer color tone and more durability, but are the inconsistencies in the finish worth it?

Most painting contractors would agree that one could certainly make a valid argument for using paints with sheen; however, most homeowners are not aware of the downside to using glossy paint on their walls.

Below are problems associated with using gloss paint.

1. One of the most common problems with using gloss paint is it causes minor defects in your walls to become visible. Defects that are not visible with flat paint suddenly become visible with satin or gloss finishes. If you receive a fair amount of sunlight through windows in the room, it will become even more noticeable. Sheetrock tape joints that are slightly raised or depressed can become obvious. Texture variations in the existing wall paint can become visible, etc.

2. Another problem many homeowners are not aware of is, gloss paint is notorious for creating a halo effect around windows, doors, and baseboards of your rooms. When you roll the walls in a room, the roller nap leaves a texture. This texture is different than the texture left by the brush you use to cut in wall paint around doors, windows, baseboard, and crown moldings. Light reflects differently from the texture left by the brush than from the textures left by the roller nap. This is a very annoying problem that can ruin the appearance of your freshly painted room.

3. If you are planning to paint gloss paint over existing flat walls, you really need two coats of paint to avoid flashing (unevenness of sheen throughout the wall). Two coats improve consistency of sheen and enhance color tone. This of course, increases your cost.

If you still would like the look that sheen can bring, then follow these suggestions.

1. Use very low sheen paint. The use of eggshell, or satin sheen will help minimize the above problems associated with gloss paints.

2. Prep your w
1000
alls very well. Some of the wall problems may be beyond the scope of what you or the painter you hire can do. A Sheetrock contractor may be your best option for major wall repair.

3. Be sure and cut your walls in with a brush before you roll the walls. After the walls have been cut in with a brush, then roll the wall paint within a quarter of an inch of your trim. Another solution is to apply blue tape to all the trim which will allow you to roll the paint against the trim. This will go a long way in reducing the halo effect. Make sure you have a small roller frame and nap on hand to reach areas where a standard size roller frame can’t reach. If you touch your trim with the roller, then immediately clean the paint off the trim with a cloth.

4. Plan on applying two coats of paint to attain evenness of sheen.

Low sheen paints can give you the richness and dept of color with reduced problems, especially in rooms that do not get a lot of light. If you plan to stick with flat paint my suggestion is use a top of the line paint in whatever brand you choose. Be sure the paint you purchase is a scrubbable paint. When you clean flat paint you should use a sponge with water and soap. Never use a cloth. Cleaning with a cloth will buff the surface causing sheen to appear at that spot. My recommendation as a painting contractor is plan your project well. Consider the quirks of gloss paint and budget accordingly. Weigh the pros and cons of using sheen on your walls.

By: Nicky Taylor

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Nicky Taylor CEO Of www.home-painting-services.com/index.html Nicky is owner of a 26 year old house painting contractor service and home improvement company serving all North Atlanta Georgia. Nicky is experience as a home builder and remodeler and shares his knowledge on house painting and other home improvement topics at the above link through articles and resource materials. Get helpful information for projects you are planning to undertake.

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Home & Family Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From – Home | Home & Family

Solid Iron Cookware : Learn More Of Your Cookware
Energy Conservation Tips For Commercial Kitchens And Restaurants
He That Sweetest Rose Will Find Gifts As You Like It.
Discount Kitchen Cabinets: Keep Costs Low
Make Your Child Confident
Encouraging Children to Join Sports
Heavenly gifts for her
Choosing the Cabinets that are Right for Kitchen Remodeling
Types Of Home Makeovers
Our baby rabbit might have died from snuffles.

---

Industrial painting contractors use a variety of methods to coat surfaces with paint. Unlike home decorators there are many more ways to lay down a layer of paint than just by applying it by brush or roller. In addition, the surfaces in industrial painting tend to require a lot more thorough preparation.

Preparation is usually the key to proper long lasting paint applications. If the surfaces to be painted have not had paint applied previously, then the process is somewhat easier. If a previous coat exists, then its removal is usually required, and this in itself is a skill that needs an expert touch.

Surfaces can be prepared by using ultra high pressure water jets, or water jetting as it is also known. This has both a washing and a blasting effect, which can remove grit and dust as well as any other loose particles. Water jetting leaves a surface cleaner than any of the other methods of preparation. It can be used in all weathers and it has no adverse environmental effects.

Abrasive preparation is also used by industrial painting contractors. This can be dry, wet, or a combination of wet and dry. In this way rust, grit, dust and chemicals can easily be removed to leave a virgin surface ready for the paint application. When sufficient care and attention is taken over the preparation process, the painting process is made easier with a greater likelihood of a successful outcome.

In industrial painting, applying the paint with a brush or roller is not the only option. Powder coating, for example, is a process where particles of dry paint have an electrostatic charge applied before being positioned on a grounded surface. The particles are held on the surface by electrostatic attraction. Heat is then applied, which allows the powder coating to flow together and be cured in place.

For powder coating to work it is of course necessary for the surface being treated to be electrically conductive. Originally this meant only metal surfaces. However, recent technological advanced have meant that other surfaces, including such unlikely ones as plastic and wood, can now also be treated in this way.

Coil coating, also known as roll coating, is a high speed method of applying a coating of paint to a metal surface. It is a continuous process, which is why it is a fast method. It is also the most cost-effective and energy-efficient method of getting paint on to a metal surface, as well as being extremely kind to the environment.

Spray coating is a more common way to apply paints on to a surface, and as such it is extensively used by industrial painting contractors. This method can also deliver resins and sealants effectively under pressure. The inherent messiness associated with this kind of delivery through overspray can be greatly minimised by applying an electrostatic charge to the spray.

Industrial painting contractors have to keep on top of all the latest developments. They need to be versatile and flexible, being able to offer a wide range of preparation processes, as well as a wide range of coating techniques and methods.

C. J. Rose writes on the subject of waste management and onshore/offshore environmental safety for Sureclean Industrial Waste Management Solutions Topics include HP & UHP water jetting, tank/vessel cleaning, vacuum transfer/pumping, industrial painting, asbestos management/removal, HVAC/duct management, NORM management. For videos see http://www.sureclean.com/video/

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caron_J_Rose

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: painting contractor