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Interior House Paint
Whether it's an off-white or a dramatic deep
hue, color can bring character to a room
while moderating the light and apparent size.
When picking a color, remember that the lighter
the color, the larger and brigher the room
will seem and the less lighting (natural
or artificial) will be required.
Types of Paint
Interior or indoor paint is different than
exterior paint. It is less expensive because
it is not formulated to withstand harsh outdoor
conditions (constant direct sun, wide temperature
changes, etc). Within the category of indoor
paints, generally speaking, oil paints have
a slight edge over latex paints because they
penetrate the surface better, grip better,
dry harder, and clean better. However, because
oil paints are in a solvent thinner, they
have strong, flammable fumes and require
a solvent to clean your painting tools. On the other hand, latex paint is water-based,
which makes it easier to use and clean up
spills and your painting tools. Consequently, latex is the choice for most
interior walls and ceilings.
Finishes
Paint ranges from flat to satin, semi-gloss,
and gloss. Flat has virtually no reflective
qualities, while gloss paint is very shiny.
Not only does the shine affect the color
(the more shiny the paint, the more it will
pick up other colors from the room), but
it also brings out more surface imperfections
and must be sanded before applying the next
coat.
Washability is also different. The general
rule of thumb is that flatter finish paint
is harder to clean than glossier paint because
it lacks the slick waterproof surface that
allows easy wiping. This is changing and
there are more flatter finish choices for
kitchens, baths, and other rooms subject
to moisture, splashing, and fingerprints.
Check the label or product description of
the paint you plan to buy to learn more.
Mixing and Matching Colors
If you have a sample of an existing
paint
color (usually a 2" x 2"
sample
is needed), you can take it to
most paint
and home improvement stores where
they will
analyze it by computer and then
mix a matching
paint for you. If you are starting
fresh,
remember that colors change with
the color
of light. Sunlight can vary from
a bright
yellow to a cloud-filtered white;
similarly,
artificial light can vary from
a yellow incandescent
bulb to the white of halogen
or the blue
of fluorescent. Each of these
will change
the appearance of paint, so be
sure to pick
your color in the right conditions.
Also,
the color of the previous coat
will show
through many paints, and if different,
can
change the shade of the new paint
unless
you prime it or use multiple
coats. |
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