With names like Molokai Blue, Lapis Lazuli, Coral Beach and Prairie Sunrise, one can easily be overwhelmed by the selection of stunning paint colours on the market. Walk into any home renovation store these days and you can spend countless hours looking at thousands of colour chips. Remember that choosing the paint type for your project is just as important as picking the perfect shade. If the paint shows scuff marks or does not properly cover underlying layers, the colour won't seem nearly as important! Consider the following characteristics when making your selection.
1. Durability
This attribute is especially important if you're repainting a heavily used area like the family room, the kitchen, or a child's bedroom. Dirt and stains are less likely to penetrate durable paint; they can be removed without much scrubbing. Ideally, scrubbing gets rid of the dirt without removing the paint in the process.
In general, low-lustre paints are tougher than flat paints, particularly in their ability to resist staining; however, that doesn't mean low-lustre varieties are inherently more durable. High quality flat paints can also be very good. Glossy latex and acrylic paints also tend to be durable. When painting a bathroom or kitchen, purchase paint specifically created for that purpose-these paints are formulated to withstand high humidity and warm temperatures.
2. Coverage
It's reasonable to expect to use two coats of paint to cover the underlying colour completely; however, if you need to use three coats, the paint has poor coverage characteristics.
It can be difficult to know which paint offers better coverage because manufacturers do not have a uniform standard. If your paint store is willing to allow you to do a test, paint a black stripe on a piece of cardboard. When the paint is dry, apply a stripe of each type of paint you wish to test. Use the paint straight from the can without tinting. You will quickly see which type of paint offers better coverage by the amount of black which shows through. If you are not able to do such a test, ask a knowledgeable salesperson for assistance.
In general, higher end 'premium' paints offer better coverage. As well, paints made with a pastel base are somewhat better than white paint.
3. Fade resistance
The quality of the colourants in paint determines whether or not it will fade in bright light. Bright greens and yellows tend to fade more easily than other colours, so think twice about using either one in a sunroom or in areas with southern exposure.
4. Mildew resistance
Fungus can grow anywhere, not just in dark corners of the bathroom. Storm windows, extra weather stripping, moisture-resistant house wraps, and other energy-conservation measures can keep indoor air stale and humidity levels high-good conditions for breeding mildew, especially on a cool northern wall, where mildew-friendly moisture levels are likely to be high.
Some paints contain fungicides that keep the surface mildew-free; many don't. Latex is generally mildew-resistant because it creates a smooth, water-resistant surface. If you are planning to apply latex (water-based) over oil paint, you may need to first apply a layer of primer.
5. Level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
The fumes given off by wet latex paint may bother some people. If you or a family member experience headaches, nausea, or dizziness associated with the chemicals in paint, you should use a product that's labelled as having low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, during and for several hours immediately after painting and paint stripping, levels of several VOCs may be 1,000 times higher than outdoor air levels. Months and years after the paint has dried, the levels in most homes can still be 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors.
Although some professional painters swear by its durability, oil paint involves strong odours, messy cleanup and slow drying times (approximately 36 hours). (Tip: Try using olive oil to clean brushes of oil paint rather than paint thinner. Use soap and water to remove the olive oil.) Also avoid paints containing ethylene glycol or aliphatic petroleum distillates. If you must use such paints, ventilate the room while working, and don't stay in the room any longer than you must. Oil paint and the paint thinner required to clean brushes, trays and spills contain high levels of VOCs.
Remember that low-odour isn't the same as low-VOC. The fumes from relatively high levels of VOCs can readily be masked to make a low-odour paint. The biggest difference between regular paints and low-VOC paints is drying time-low-VOC paints dry very fast. You have to work quickly to avoid marks from overlapping roller strokes and brush marks around trim. Brushes and rollers may be harder to clean after applying a low-VOC paint.
Once you have selected the best paint for your purpose and narrowed down your paint choices, you are ready to get started, well, almost. Be sure all the wall surfaces are clean, dry, and free of grease and wax. If you have children this may take a while! Also take a close look at your walls for defects such as dings, cracks and unnecessary nail holes. Use spackling (drywall filler) to fill these defects then lightly sand to a smooth, flat surface. Next, apply a coat of primer over the areas where you applied spackling or prime the entire wall. Taking the time to prepare the wall will help hide any imperfections and give your new paint colour its best opportunity to make a statement! [Return to Homeowners Guide]
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