When it comes to painting your house, there are more than a few types of paint out there that one can concern themselves with. Painting is of course one of the most important parts of preparing house either for sale or for move-in. This is especially true if you are dealing with the interior of your home. That being said, let’s talk a bit about the different types of paints, as well as the monumental difference between primers and sealers. First of all, we will discuss primers.
Primers exist simply to seal off the surface of a wall and prepare it for paint, hence the name ‘primer’. These will be used exclusively on bare wood, as well as surfaces that have been painted in the past. If the wall is in poor condition, a coat of primer will most definitely be needed to seal it, and in doing so you will help to ensure the stability of the wall in question. In addition to providing stability, they will actually serve to block stains from water, crayon, smoke, and other substances that would otherwise bleed directly through.
Right now you’re probably asking whether or not you need to use a sealer on your walls. The lack of a seal will not cause major problem in most cases, but most people would rather be safe than sorry. Let’s talk a bit about a few of the seals and even some of the paints that you might find yourself using on your next home improvement project.
Semi Gloss Paint These paints are extremely durable. They do not easily crack, and they can take a beating from virtually anything that you would find within a normal household. Does this mean that you can take a hammer to your wall and hope for the best? Probably not, but you will find that these are best used in bathrooms or kitchens as these rooms will see the most use and wear over the years either from corrosive materials or simple overuse.
The Merit of Flat Paints These do not exhibit reflective properties of course, and it is what you would normally find on ceilings. As this is not a very durable type of paint, it is best used in a location that is out of reach. While it is not durable, it is inexpensive which makes it a great display paint. There are some that would paint an entire house with this type of paint, and there is much debate as to whether or not this would work. If you were living alone, or had only responsible adults in your home, flat paint may work well for many years. As we all know, this is normally not the case.
Satin Finish Paint Many people refer to the satin finish as the ‘eggshell’ finish as it provides a sheen similar to what you would find on an eggshell. This is a harder surface than the flat paint, and if you are painting a hallway, children’s room, or a room that will simply see more wear than the others, this would definitely be the right choice.
Gloss Paint If you’re looking for something relatively easy to clean, then you will probably find that gloss paint is a much better options. It is easier to clean than most other pain finishes, but there is the fact that a gloss paint will make imperfections more of a landmark than a subtlety.
The paint you choose will ultimately depend on the level of use that it is going to see as well as the amount of money you want to spend on your renovations. Take the pros and cons into account, and start working!
Lance Mohr is a specialist in the Tampa real estate market. If you have any questions or are looking for hard working Realtor give me a call. For details on Brandon homes for sale or Carrollwood homes for sale please visit our website at Tampa2Enjoy.com.