Why Paint Matters
Why Paint Matters
Your first impression starts when you pull up to the driveway to a house. When you see a house for the first time, what do you feel? Does the home make you feel invited and welcome? Paint colors and selection of quality paints are the first things you notice. Paint is the EASIEST and LEAST EXPENSIVE way to change the look and feel of the space you are trying to create, but NOT all paints are created equal.
The two most common misconceptions I hear are that “Paint is Paint” or “It doesn’t matter what kind of paint I use.” The exact opposite is true. You may be thinking that it is just paint, and you would rather spend your decorating money on something more impactful than painting walls. What if you could choose a paint that saved you time and lasted longer? That is a win-win situation. What if you had an economical paint that helped protect your home? What if there was a specialty paint that could help you solve a particular problem such as mold or rust on a roof? Let us look at the differences in paints.
Premium quality paints like Benjamin Moore’s Ben, Regal and Aura lines, offer better coverage, more durability, longer lasting color, improved workability, and result in fewer repaints. Why is this true? Premium paints have better resins (titanium dioxide) and more volume solids than Contractor Grade paints. The higher the volume solids, the thicker the paint film is on the walls. Premium paints are washable and are the go-to choice for houses with kids and pets. Premium paints could also be considered a paint and primer in one. With the possibility of fewer coats of paint and time saved, it has been a go-to for homeowners and contractors.
Contractor Grade paints, like Benjamin Moore’s Ultra Spec and Scuff-x lines, are great options for areas that need frequent repainting like apartments, facilities and schools. Good contractor grade paints have adequate durability to withstand general home wear-and-tear and are often used in new construction. Contractor grade paints have lower volume solids and more filler resins than premium paint, so they are often not used when big color changes occur. Contractor grade paints cost less than premium paints and offer more paint options to paint buyers.
Specialty paints help solve a problem. They are used on hard-to-coat substrates, masonry, concrete, metal, wood working shops and in industrial applications. They all have their specific purpose and are great tools to have when you need help to solve a problem.
To determine what grade of paint works best for your project, you must determine the long-term goals of your paint job. Each project has its own requirements and there are several options to help you complete your job. Reach out to your locally owned Shenandoah Paint for help with your next project.
Remember, you only get one chance to make your first impression, MAKE IT COUNT!
Written by Grant French
Expertise. Building a home is a complex activity. Subcontractors can provide specific expertise but if you act as your own contractor you will need to consider your ability to manage the overall process. Do you know the order in which activities must be completed? A general contractor is familiar with the process from start to finish and has a deep understanding of the smaller details that are essential to constructing a quality home.
that quality products will always cost more, but last longer. Hint: it’s probably more than you think it is. If you look at your home as an investment in your lifestyle and family vs. an expense, the bandage is so much easier to remove.Before: boring chandelier and vanilla wallsA previous client was using my Budget Worksheets and marking what she felt would be a good price point to redecorate her living, family, and dining room spaces. When she added up EVERYTHING on the list, she was at almost $100,000. Her comfort level was $60,000. She knew before she started the project where she wanted to be, and I was able to guide her through the process and make the best use of the dollars she had. And just an FYI – she’s the one who inspired this blog post. When we were talking about it later, she said, “We had saved the money and set it aside to do our home. Instead of doing it little by little, we decided to just rip off the bandage. Now we can enjoy our home every day instead of dragging out the process for years.”
I promised him that if he still hated it when everything was in place, we’d look at alternatives. In the end, he absolutely loved it. If this client had started second-guessing the design halfway through the process it would have completely changed the space. And cost him more money to select a new color and have it repainted.
having a baby”. By planning ahead and then living through it all just ONCE it can make it so much easier on your family & your sanity. Yes, it stinks to lose your kitchen for 6 weeks or so. But it’s easier than doing it in small increments and disrupting your life fewer times to get the space you’ve always dreamed of having. I can tell you from my own experience in this – my parents built the kitchen cabinets I designed.
It’s a moment when the clients get to see their space. The phrase I hear most often is, “I can’t believe this is our home! It looks like a magazine!” BINGO. We didn’t waste years of your life – it was all pulled together in just a few months. Even the Purple Project – which required removing three walls, gutting the kitchen, and refinishing the floors – was done within six months of the initial Consultation.
Your front door also makes an important first impression. A fresh color of paint, window trim or siding is a simple way to create an inviting look to your home exterior.
finishes that will boost your home resell value. Your remodeler can also provide you with advice on what to consider when replacing countertops, creating custom cabinets, flooring and appliances. For example, energy-efficient appliances are among the popular features home buyers seek out when considering purchasing a new home.
Cosmetic updates to a bathroom can be as simple as replacing dated fixtures and lighting. Freshen up your bathroom by re-grouting tile or removing and replacing caulk around the tub and sink. A white tub, sink and toilet is a popular color choice in bathrooms for home buyers, according to a recent National Association of Home Builders survey. Adding a fresh coat of paint, similar your kitchen or home exterior, makes a difference in brightening up your bathroom. A professional remodeler can also add storage with cabinets or shelves.
