When it comes to painting your home or business, using high-quality paint makes a noticeable difference in results. Do you opt for budget wall paint that sacrifices durability for an inferior finish, or spend a little extra on something with longer-term durability and better appearance?
Cheaper paints tend to need additional coats due to having lower-quality resins and pigments in them, which often requires multiple applications for optimal coverage.
1. Coverage
One of the key considerations when selecting wall paint is coverage. This is especially relevant when repainting walls, which often requires multiple coats to achieve desired results. Cheaper paints may not cover as effectively and you may require multiple cans in order to reach desired results.
Before purchasing paint, calculate how many square feet of surface you require to cover. Measure each wall’s length and width separately before multiplying them together to find their total area. Next add up all four walls’ areas, then subtract windows and doors from that total; an average window covers 15 square feet while doors 20. Similarly you can calculate gabled areas by multiplying their width times their height before adding that value back into body measurements.
Once you know how many square feet of surface you need to paint, divide that number by the approximate coverage per gallon (usually 400 square feet per gallon; check with your chosen paint can for exact numbers) to calculate how many gallons are necessary for your project.
As part of your project, it’s also essential that you select the appropriate type of paint. Flat paint provides the lowest sheen level with its solid, smooth finish. However, it can be more difficult to keep clean than its alternatives and therefore works best in low traffic areas like bedrooms and ceilings. Eggshell has a slight sheen that wipes clean easily making it suitable for kitchens, family rooms and hallways while satin provides an intimate pearl-like sheen adding warmth into dining areas and bedrooms.
If your walls or ceilings contain textures like stucco, brick or popcorn ceilings, plan on purchasing approximately 20 percent extra paint in order to ensure proper coverage. This additional amount accounts for the extra surface area created by these textures such as stucco, brick and popcorn ceilings. To further ensure even coverage and reduce need for multiple coats of paint application it’s recommended that a primer be used prior to applying paint; primer can be purchased from any home improvement store and costs anywhere between $20 and $100.
2. Durability
Painting can be an inexpensive, straightforward way to dramatically transform a room and refresh the feel of any home or business, yet there are many factors involved with the painting process that must be considered before beginning this endeavor, from prepping work and selecting your paint type to cleanup afterward.
An expensive paint may contain anti spattering agents to provide an even coating without creating a mess, while its low light-reflective value reduces scratch or chip visibility over time. A cheap paint doesn’t offer these qualities and may show signs of wear more readily.
An additional consideration for selecting a paint color is how many coats will be necessary to complete your project. Cheaper options tend to require more coats due to not possessing as many solids.
It is especially true when painting over dark colors, since cheaper paint contains larger and less pure pigments that require multiple coats to achieve a uniform finish and cover up the old hues.
More expensive paints tend to be denser and contain fine pigment particles in higher concentrations, meaning fewer coats may be required to cover your walls – an enormous savings if you plan on repainting repeatedly over the years.
Time costs add up quickly when painting projects are considered, which is why professional painters often opt for quality paints with higher solid content and faster drying time.
Choose an interior wall paint with great longevity over choosing an inexpensive option, such as those found at large home centers or bargain brands with little reputation for excellence like Sherwin Williams or regional options with proven success. Doing this could cost more in the long run.
3. Appearance
If you’re planning on repainting your walls, investing in high-quality paint will produce results that look professional and likely outlive any later plans for selling the home. Cheap and uninviting homes don’t sell themselves! So how can you determine if you are getting a good value when purchasing paint? Is it really possible to achieve similar quality for less?
Although paint color choices should be made carefully and mindfully, many experts agree that choosing an inappropriate hue can instantly make a room appear cheap. Kohut warns that mint green can make any room appear cheaper; consequently it is recommended that neutral or soft pastel tones be chosen when redecorating.
One important consideration when selecting paint finishes for living spaces is selecting an appropriate finish sheen. Flat or matte sheens may prove difficult to keep clean, while satin and eggshell sheens make cleaning simpler. High-gloss sheens offer greater durability but should be used sparingly since they can easily scratch or chip off over time – this choice should also apply when painting children’s rooms as high-gloss finishes may scratch easily and chip off over time.
Consideration should also be paid to the ingredients contained within your paint. While all paint contains pigments, resins, and solvents, their quality impacts the performance of each. Expensive paints contain more pigment and binder for better coverage on walls with fewer coats required; cheaper ones contain lower-grade pigments which spread unevenly and require multiple applications of coats to cover properly.
Cheap paint may cost more if you’re painting over dark colors, as these require transparent bases that won’t cover them adequately with one can of inexpensive paint. As dark hues tend to fade faster than lighter hues, more touch-up will likely be needed sooner.
4. Cleanliness
Painting your walls can add a fresh new look to your home, but selecting the appropriate paint is key in order to maintain its cleanliness. Selecting an inferior product could cause stains, marks or peeling that require frequent repainting and cost more in the long run. Buying cheaper wall paint may yield inferior results as its materials may not be as durable or stain-resistant than higher quality formulas.
At least you can avoid many of the complications that come with budget wall paint by doing some research before buying it. Consider brands recommended by professionals and frequently purchased by homeowners; opt for satin, semi-gloss or eggshell finishes with stain resistance features; for maximum durability consider an oil-based formula; while more costly than latex varieties, oil-based formulas tend to last longer and resist fading better.
Dusting and wiping down walls regularly will help avoid grime build-up on them, keeping your paint looking its best and prolonging its life span.
Before beginning to wash your walls, first use a soft brush or vacuum with a soft attachment to loosen loose dirt and dust from them. Next, begin washing using a soft sponge with warm water – starting from the bottom up for maximum effectiveness! If your walls have any hard stains, try gently rubbing with white vinegar; otherwise you could try mild detergent or dish soap instead – however always test in an out-of-the-way area beforehand!
If you’re painting with flat or matte paint finishes, it is wise to invest in a cleaning solution tailored specifically for these finishes. Otherwise, the cleaner could damage the paint and leave an unsightly streaky residue behind on your walls.