House painting can be a tricky business. From paint products to colour choice and painting tips, there’s so much to consider.
The good news is that A.J. Cochrane & Sons can provide expert advice on all of it! That’s one of the perks of being in the residential painting business for almost 100 years. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you don’t know about house painting, you’ve come to the right place.
Paint Products
The ultimate success of any house painting project begins with the paint products you use. For a quality finish that provides long-lasting durability, it’s important to understand which paint is best suited to the job.
What’s the Difference Between Exterior and Interior Paint?
Interior paint and exterior paint are distinctly different products formulated for distinctly different applications. Interior paint must meet the demands of an indoor environment, and exterior paint is formulated to endure the many challenges of an outdoor environment. To ensure your paintwork performs well, using the right paint is key.
- Interior paints: typically formulated to be low odour and provide a finish that’s smooth, resistant to scuffs, easy to clean and maintain, and provides anti-mould properties for wet areas.
- Exterior paints: usually formulated to be hardier and able to withstand Perth’s harsh elements, with UV blockers and water resistance to prevent fading and peeling in the sun and rain.
Which Type of Paint Should I Use?
Finding the right paint to use when planning a project can take time and effort. There are options to suit a variety of applications, and the one you choose can make all the difference to the final result.
- Acrylic paint: Acrylic paint is a popular choice because it is easy to use, dries quickly, and is long-lasting on many surfaces. It is generally water-resistant, breathable to allow moisture to escape, and one of the less toxic options for a simple project. Dulux Professional SteriGuard® Interior provides a hard-wearing finish, low odour, scrub resistance and indoor air quality maintenance. It’s also quick drying, meaning minimal interruption to your home.
- Latex paint: this water-based paint is flexible and breathable, making it perfect for surfaces that need to expand or breathe, like wood and exterior surfaces. However, latex paint will not hold up long-term in really sunny or humid conditions, so direct exposure to extreme sunlight is not recommended. Dulux Latex Wash and Wear Matt is a professional choice because of its hard-wearing finish, high washability, low odour, and low VOC levels.
- Enamel paint: an oil-based paint, one coat can take eight to twelve hours to dry. Known for its high-end glossy finish, enamel paint dries harder than latex or acrylic, making it popular for exterior uses and edging. However, the high sheen will fade and yellow over time. Harder drying paint is less flexible, meaning it may crack, chalk or chip in some environments. Its pungent odour can also be offensive to some people. We recommend Dulux Super Enamel™ High Gloss for high traffic areas.
- Anti-mould paint: this wet area paint is water-based and has specific properties that inhibit mould growth in problem areas. Usually used in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries, it is low odour, quick drying, and long-lasting. Dulux PRECISION® Stain & Mould Blocker is the professional choice for Perth painters.
What’s the Difference Between Cheap and Name-Brand Paint?
When it comes to paint, you get what you pay for. Cheap paints can look great initially, but they usually take more coats to adhere and may produce lower coverage results. They can also be more prone to chipping and fading over time.
Leading paint brands make products with higher-quality formulas that help them stand the test of time. These paints are usually thicker, smoother, and easier to clean. They may also produce less odour and be safer for indoor use.
What Kind of Paint is Recommended for Wet Areas?
When painting wet areas, it’s usually best to choose a high-quality water-based acrylic or latex semi-gloss paint. Your chosen products should include mould and mildew resistance and be formulated for quick drying and excellent durability. This is important to ensure that your paint can withstand wet conditions without chipping, peeling, or moulding.
What are the Common Paint Additives?
Additives can be used to improve the performance of a paint product. It’s important to check that an additive is compatible with the house paint you’ve chosen.
- Anti-mildew additives: used in paints that will be applied in wet areas or humid climates.
- Texture additives: can be used to disguise surface flaws, or as a grainy or sandy decorative effect.
- Paint Conditioner: used to thin paint for a smoother flow, which can reduce the appearance of brush marks and speed up drying times.
Why is Paint a Dangerous Chemical?
Paints can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are chemical pollutants that can have a harmful effect on human health. It’s important to air out painted spaces fully and allow any odour to dissipate before spending extended time in a freshly painted room. Wherever possible, choose low-VOC paint options.
Why Should I Use Low VOC Paints?
VOCs are the vapours emitted by the solvent and petrochemical additives that evaporate from paint during manufacturing and application. By upgrading and improving the manufacturing process and materials used, Dulux Low VOC paints reduce the emissions in your home. It’s better for your personal air quality, more future-proof for your family’s safety, and it’s better for the environment overall.
Interior Painting Advice
DIY house painting is not impossible – but if you want to achieve a truly flawless finish, it pays to plan your project carefully. If you’ve never painted before, we recommend researching as much as you can about good DIY painting before you even think about cracking open a paint tin!
How Do I Prepare for Interior House Painting?
There’s so much that goes into preparing for interior house painting – a quick answer just doesn’t cut it! Take a look at our Handy Guide To Preparing For Interior House Painting for useful advice to help you get the best results.
How Do I Paint Over a Dark Wall?
Dark, heavily pigmented colours such as deep red and royal blue can be painful to paint over, especially with a lighter colour. But if you’re keen to give it a go, follow these 5 steps.
Step 1: Fill and sand imperfections and holes. The preparation takes the longest with any paint job but will give you the best finish. Dark paint can hide imperfections, so you may need a torch to shine along the surface to locate, fill and sand any blemishes.
Step 2: Use a quality white primer and undercoat like Dulux Wash&Wear® +PLUS Super Hide Low Sheen. An undercoat formulated for this purpose will ensure that your lighter colour comes out true.
Step 3: Use a high-quality roller specifically designed for the surface you are painting. Apply with W and M shapes. To remember this, think “W” for Why did I start this? and “M” for My arms are killing me. Don’t overload the roller. As tempting as this may be, too much paint on the rollers can leave roller lines.
Step 4: Repeat the undercoat two or three times to ensure complete coverage.
Step 5: Start to apply your new lighter colour. You may need to apply two coats for complete coverage.
Can I Paint Tiles?
It is possible to paint tiles, but doing so requires specialised products and thorough surface preparation to ensure good paint adhesion – especially on gloss tiles. Tiles need to be in good condition, as cracks are difficult to disguise and cannot be easily repaired after painting.
Always use products specifically formulated for tile painting, such as those in the Dulux Renovation Range. Keep in mind that painted tiles provide a less durable finish and can require annual touch ups. Painted floor tiles will need to withstand foot traffic, and tiles in wet areas must be properly sealed to prevent moisture from causing the paint to peel or stain.
To achieve a flawless and long-lasting finish, you may prefer to consult professional painters for your tile painting project.
Paint Colours 101
For many homeowners, the prospect of choosing a paint colour can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right knowledge on your side, it’s easy to choose a colour that looks great and complements your space.
How Do I Choose the Right Paint Colour?
The right paint colours for your home will depend on a range of factors. You should consider:
- how you want a space to feel
- how much natural light a room gets
- the hues in your existing furniture and furnishings – if you’re not replacing them, then your walls need to be painted in complementary colours.
General paint colour advice:
- For a calming space: opt for gentle blues, greys, greens, and pastels.
- For a lively space: choose bolder colours like a rich red, yellow, or purple.
- Dark colours: can help to smooth shadows in dark spaces.
- Light colours: can open up small spaces and also look great in larger, sunny environments with plenty of reflectivity.
What are the Most Common Undertones for House Paint?
Neutral paint colours are a forever trend in house painting, but white, beige and grey paints all come in a variety of undertones. Every undertone changes the “feel” of a room, so choosing the right one can make a big difference to your finished result.
- Pink/red undertones: Creates a feeling of warmth and cosiness, especially in brightly lit spaces.
- Yellow/ochre undertones: Soft and warm, this delicate shade is ideal for boho and mid-century aesthetics.
- Blue/grey undertones: Cool and elegant, a blue undertone is popular in Hamptons and coastal style homes.
- Mauve/purple undertones: striking the balance between warm and cool, these undertones suit New York loft, industrial style homes.
- Green undertones: Subtle green undertones evoke a calming, nature-inspired atmosphere. Depending on the hue, the result can be cool and airy or earthy and warm.
What Are the Most Common Paint Colour Mistakes?
Painting your home only to realise you hate the colours you chose is an expensive and disappointing outcome to what probably started as an exciting reno project. The good news is that these colour mistakes are usually avoidable.
Here are some common paint colour mistakes we see.
- Not testing paint colours on your own walls first: paint can look very different in different environments, so it’s important to try before you buy.
- Reducing paint strength: Diluting a colour by 25% or 50% to make it ‘less intense’ can actually give you a completely different colour result. For instance, when diluting a grey paint, it can accentuate a blue base colour.
- Painting a ceiling in flat white: The result can look grey and make the roof appear lower.
- Going too bright: Bold, on-trend paint colours are fabulous – until they’re no longer on trend. And then you’re left with a seriously overpowering colour that immediately dates your home.
- Different colour schemes from room to room: a hugely popular trend in the 70s, today this kind of interior painting looks dated, and can make your overall aesthetic appear disjointed. And if you’re planning to sell eventually, this eclectic style can seriously diminish buyer interest.
Does Paint Dry Lighter or Darker?
Whether paint dries lighter or darker will vary depending on:
- Type of Paint: The composition of paint, specifically the ratio of pigment, binder, and additives, can greatly impact the drying process.
- Pigment Concentration: Highly pigmented paints typically result in a richer, deeper colour that may appear darker when dry.
- Underlying Surface: The surface’s texture, colour, and porosity can all impact how the paint dries.
- Lighting: Natural light, artificial light, and even the direction of the light source can change the perception of the paint’s colour.
- Application: Thicker coats of paint often dry darker. Brushes or rollers can also impact the paint’s texture and appearance once dried.
- Interior vs. Exterior Paint: Interior paint tends to dry darker than its wet appearance, while exterior paint may dry lighter. This is because interior paint has more pigment, which results in a deeper, richer colour once dry. Exterior paint contains more binder and protective additives to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, giving it a slightly lighter appearance once dried.
To avoid a finished result you hate, use sample pots to test a paint colour before committing. Paint small sections of the wall with your chosen colour and observe how it appears under various lighting conditions and times of day. This will give you a better understanding of how the paint dries and whether adjustments need to be made to achieve the desired result.
What are the Best Wall Colours for Small Rooms?
In small rooms, it’s best to choose wall colours that open up the space, making it appear larger. Light-reflecting colours bounce the light around the room rather than absorbing it, which is why it’s great for making smaller rooms look bigger – but this doesn’t mean you have to stick to just white. Moody blues can provide a sense of depth, and subtle pink porcelain tones can help to reflect the light. Soft greens can also be useful for creating a fresh, open environment.
Popular Dulux paint colours for small rooms include Breezy Half, Diorite, Watershed, Porcelain, Mornington and Green Alabaster Half.
Which Paint Colours Make a Room Feel Cooler?
Paint colours with more reflective particles will ‘feel’ cooler in an emotional way, but they can also impact the physical temperature. White is the most reflective, but you can also try pale greens and blues. Lighter shades of grey and pale yellows are also a great option as they reflect around 90% of light. Glossier paints are also a better choice for increasing reflectivity and cooling down your home.
Which Paint Colours Make a Room Feel Warmer?
Warm up your chillier rooms with darker hues. Darker paint colours absorb light, helping them retain heat in a space. Any dark, rich shade is great for warming up a room, but deep red is probably the best pick as it’s the least reflective colour.
When Should I Use White Paint?
White paint is a great choice when you want to create a blank canvas for the other colours in your home décor. However, it’s important to note that all whites are unique. Every white includes a different undertone, which can completely change the look and feel of your space.
- Cool Whites: Ideal for contemporary homes where a minimalistic aesthetic is the goal. Cool white paint comes with a blue, grey or green undertone and is complemented by natural light. A popular choice in coastal homes and to make a room appear bigger.
- Warm Whites: Ideal for creating a warm and luxurious atmosphere in traditional homes, especially in rooms that lack natural light. With undertones of red, brown, yellow, cream and pink, warm white paint suits Perth’s charming Heritage homes.
What Colour Should I Paint My Ceiling?
The ceiling represents one-sixth of the space in a room. Designers call it the ‘fifth ‘wall because of the impact it can have on a room’s overall aesthetic. White paint is the traditional choice for ceilings, but there are other options to consider.
- Matching: Ceilings painted the same colour as your walls can help to create a seamless and flowing aesthetic. It’s ideal to keep the focus on the furniture and décor in the room.
- Lighter: Choosing a ceiling colour in a paler variation of the wall paint creates a coordinated finish and an open and airy atmosphere.
- Darker: A darker ceiling colour can make the room feel cosier, but be careful when painting a low ceiling, as darker colours can close the space in.
- Accent: Painting the ceiling in a completely contrasting colour to the walls can make a bold statement, but getting the colour right is important. If the room has an existing accent hue used in furnishings, this could work on the ceiling.
Understanding Paint Sheens
Paint sheens play an important role in the final appearance of your paintwork. And the sheen type you choose can affect more than just the aesthetic. Durability, cleaning ease and light reflection can all be impacted by a paint’s sheen level.
When Should I Use Low-Sheen Paint?
Low-sheen paints are very popular in Australia, and for good reason. These paints mask surface imperfections and are easy to clean. They are also resistant to scratches and marks, making them a great choice for high-traffic areas and large walls in well-lit, non-wet areas like living rooms.
For best results, get the surface as clean and smooth as possible before laying down a primer coat. Always do at least two coats. The best kind of roller for low-sheen paints is a semi-smooth polyester or lamb’s wool with a 12mm nap.
When Should I Use Semi-Gloss Paint?
Semi-gloss paints are commonly used for doorframes, skirting boards, bathrooms and kitchens. They offer good resistance to humidity and are easy to clean, which comes in handy for getting dirty fingerprints off doorframes. Semi-gloss paint also stands up well to situations that would ordinarily leave behind chips in the surface.
For best results, the surface must be meticulously prepared when painting with semi-gloss. Any small imperfections will be highlighted because of the reflective nature of the paint. Always do at least two coats. Semi-gloss paint goes on thinner than other paints, which means a single coat can leave you with a streaky finish.
Avoid using foam rollers to apply semi-gloss – they tend to lay down too much paint. Stick with synthetic or lamb’s wool rollers for semi-gloss paints.
General House Painting Advice
Before you start your next house painting project, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
What is Paint Curing?
Paint curing is an extremely important part of the painting process, and it’s different from the drying stage. Drying is the first stage where the outer layer of the paint appears to be dry. The curing stage comes next, and this is when the paint is fully hardened and preserved, fusing to the wall or surface. This means that enough time has passed for all lingering solvents to evaporate, and the final paint finish is as tough as possible. You should be able to press a nail into the paint with no indent left behind.
It’s very important to wait until the paint is fully cured to ensure it is hard-wearing and can tolerate bumps, swipes, and even exposure to the elements.
How Long Does Paint Curing Take?
Different paints work in different ways, so drying and curing times can vary.
- Water-based Paints: typically the quickest to dry, usually taking only a few hours.
- Oil-based Paints: dry to the touch in about eight hours, fully cured after twenty-four.
- Enamel Paints: offer a glossy appearance and can take longer to fully cure, depending on whether they’re water- or oil-based. Gloss paints are often used on door and window frames, and it’s best to avoid closing them for as long as possible past the minimum drying time to allow the paint to cure fully and avoid surfaces sticking together (aka paint blocking).
Additionally, certain paint components may impact the overall time needed to dry and cure completely. Some colour pigments may alter the paint composition in ways that extend drying periods. Binders and solvents may also contribute to changes in the time taken to dry.
Other factors may also affect the drying time for a residential paint job. In cold, damp or humid weather, drying could take longer, or paint may dry more quickly on a drier, less porous surface.
Can I Speed Up Paint Drying Time?
Yes, but caution is advised. With oil-based paints, you can use paint thinner to improve drying efficiency. A fan or heater can be used to help speed up the process.
It’s usually safe to take these minimal steps that support faster paint-drying times. However, direct heat should only ever be applied to wet paint for three to five minutes at most. Good things take time, and if paint is forced to dry and cure too quickly, it won’t go through the natural hardening process needed to avoid cracking and peeling later on.
What Are the Best Conditions for Painting?
Painting in hot weather can cause paint to thin, risking poor adhesion if it dries too quickly. Higher temperatures can also lead to colour fading and poor paint integrity. Painting in cold weather can thicken paint, affecting coverage and increasing drying times, which can lead to cracking or peeling.
Low humidity can trigger fast drying times and lower moisture retention, making paint prone to cracking, bubbling, and peeling. Very high humidity will lead to long drying times and paint that is more prone to peeling and fading.
Each project is unique, but generally, it’s best to paint your home when:
- the temperature is somewhere between 15°C and 30°C
- humidity is between 20% and 80%
- the weather is fine – avoid very wet or windy weather, especially when painting outdoors.
How Should I Paint a Coastal Home?
If your coastal home is located in suburbs like Mosman Park, Sorrento or Scarborough, your home can be exposed to harsh coastal elements, such as stronger winds and rain, and sea salt settling on your home’s exterior.
Coastal conditions are quite aggressive on painted surfaces, so ensure your exterior paint offers:
- UV protection: to avoid premature fading
- salt resistance: to protect paint against moisture, corrosion, and rapid degradation, including bubbling and peeling.
- light reflectivity: avoid darker colours which absorb heat, leading your paintwork to crack and your home to feel hotter. Lighter paint with good reflectivity is best, and it doesn’t show the salt as much.
Who Should I Call for House Painting?
When you need quality house painting, rely on the experts. A.J. Cochrane & Sons brings almost a century of Perth painting experience to every job, so you can be confident in outstanding results that you’ll admire for years to come!
Get in touch to arrange a quote for your house painting project.
