House Paint Secrets

You thought you only had to pick paint colors? Sorry! Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you choose paint for your house painting project:

House Paint Durability — Remember that very bright or very deep colors will fade. In fact, the color may change altogether as the paint gets older. A deep, slate gray may turn more green or blue as it ages, even if the paint is an expensive name brand. The more intense a color, the more likely it is to fade. After a few years, vivid blues and deep reds might seem more subdued. Dark colors can also pose more maintenance problems. Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades. And because dark paint fades, it can be difficult to match exactly when you do small touch-ups. But, don’t rule out dark colors. They won’t show dust and stains, and can give your house a sense of dignity or drama.

House Paint Sheen — House paint comes in several sheens, ranging from glossy to flat. The glossier the surface, the more likely it is to show imperfections, brush strokes, and touch up marks. On the other hand, glossy surfaces are easier to clean — an important factor if your house is right on the road in the snowy winter. Many homeowners opt to use flat paint for walls and semi-gloss or glossy paint for columns, railings, and window sashes.

Paint Color Deceptions — Color swatches look very different when they are brought out of the store and viewed in natural sunlight. Also, colors appear lighter on large surfaces than they do on small samples. Chances are, you’ll need a much darker color than the one you first picked. Always test your selected color in one area before buying gallons of paint. Study color samples outdoors, but never in direct sunlight. Bright sun will distort the color. Before buying large quantities of paint, buy quarts of your selected colors and paint one area of your house. Live with it for awhile.

Can painting a house be fun?

What if your house was a big cardboard box? You may have spent hours on that Halloween costume. Why can’t you attack the homeowner’s job of painting your house with the same sense of adventure?

Painting your home is an opportunity. It’s like a blind date — the process gives you a chance to really get to know where you live. Your house can be your canvas and a model for learning about architecture and architectural details.

How difficult is picking paint colors? Sometimes it’s easy, and sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it will be totally apparent, but most times it’s a decision you’ll mull over for days, weeks, or months