"What kind of paint should I be looking for?"
When I ask a homeowner what kind of paint is going in their home, they just tell me the brand, but do not know what line it is within the brand. This question then this leads to this discussion...
I often consider myself an advocate for homeowners when it comes time to make this investment into their home. I always explain what is on the market, and just because a good brand name is behind the products, it does not mean that it is right product for you and your home. Just when you thought choosing the color was the hardest thing, choosing the product can be just as tricky!
How do you know what is right for your home and lifestyle? Terms like-low VOC, zero VOC, eco-friendly, Green Guard, natural, earth friendly, high durability, scrubbable, etc. are some of the many things you hear, and the list goes on and on! Every company has their different grades and lines of paint, and your job is to figure out which one is right for you. You want to consider the quality and durability of the product on the top of your list.
With all that is changing in this growing industry, how is one to keep up on this information and know what they really want and need? I am going to give you a short guide to choosing what is right for your home when you are getting painting done. Keep in mind that when doing the painting in your home that it is your house, and you want to know what is going in it. Do your research because you are the one that is paying for it, and living with it for years to come!
1. First have an idea of the colors that you are looking to use for the walls, ceiling and trim. The "Michelle Winick Color Collection" gives you the guide to many of today's color trends and color combinations.
2. Once you know the tone of the color (light, medium, dark), you can then choose the sheen you prefer-flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss or high gloss. Keep in mind that the higher the sheen, the more imperfections will show up when the painting is complete, and the higher the sheen, the more durability the paint has. Darker colors on the walls also hold up better when a matte or eggshell is used vs a flat paint.
2a) Typically Flat, Matte or Eggshell are the best for walls, Flat or Matte is best for the Ceiling, and Satin or Semi-gloss is best for trim.
3. Now that you have color and sheen, you want to determine what type of paint is best for you. Some things to take into consideration are "do you have children or pets?", "are these spaces high traffic?", "do you have allergies?".
4. For spaces that have children, pets or traffic to contend with, you want to make sure you use high quality paint for those areas with some sheen to them (Matte or Eggshell for the walls would be best!). Believe me when I say that you will thank me later when you splurged the extra $20 for the gallon so that in 5 years your room still looks like the day you painted it! The Muralo Ultra line from my color collection is the winner if you answered yes to any of these questions. It is what I call the "creme dela creme" of all the paints on the market today. It is Green Guard certified which is a bonus with this product, and it is self priming when going over a clean, previously painted surface. I have rooms in my home painted with it, and it is fantastic!
5. If allergies are something that are of serious concern to you, you will want to look into the Muralo BreatheSafe line. This is a zero VOC product that has been created, and the quality is also great.
6. Next, make sure that you make a clear list of everything you want when you or the painting contractor go to the paint store. You want to make sure you list the color, brand, line and sheen. (ex: MW-1 Ivory Stone, Muralo Ultra Matte).
7. Keep good records on what you purchase so that if touch ups are needed, you can always refer back to your list.
Happy Painting!
