Posts Tagged "paint"

Things to Consider before Painting Your Rented Home

Posted by on Dec 5, 2017 in Painting | Comments Off on Things to Consider before Painting Your Rented Home

Before actually painting a rented house, take a moment to consider these:

Ask the property owner and review the lease. It is to acquire the necessary permission from the owners before painting a room and the stipulations regarding the painting project especially the limits to which repainting is allowed. It must consider repainting the original color when moving out and this could be expensive or even cost one their deposits.

  • Get a written agreement.

Painting Your Rented HomeAny agreements are best covered when put into writing.  The agreement with the proprietor needs documentation and samples stated. Keep a copy as its use might arise some time later.

  • If neutral is the rule.

The choice of paint might be limited to the neutral shades only and as such should a particular color to which the walls should be returned.  So, before painting, matching the color is appropriate. Accurate information from the property owner is necessary or getting a sample and if possible look for the paint can.

  • Color: Life’s spice.

The introduction of colorful accessories to the house is another way of introducing color into the home when the repainting exercise in not yet considered. You can add a splash of color to the existing furniture and a garage find spruced up. Spray painting old furniture too can add the glamor color brings with it to the house.

Necessary to avoid an unwanted mess. It is prudent to cover any spaces or items with a drop cloth, so paint does not drip on them. Note the location of each item during the job to avoid knocking things up and down to create messes. A painter’s tape is necessary also; to help cover and a plastic drop cloth is the best drop cloth.

Before considering a paint, there is a need to check the quality and consider the environmental aspects. Find a low VOC paint or with low odor to get an eco-friendly paint

Choosing paint.

  • For elegant rooms, like the guest or master bedroom, the flat matte finishes are the best option. To reduce reflection of light from the room a matte finish once again is the way to go.
  • For areas experiencing high, traffic, the eggshell and satin finish is the necessary paint type, providing an easy to clean option requiring only a damp cloth. For scrub ability, the Valspar signature color paint is the recommended paint.
  • For a very detailed woodwork, the semi-gloss paint provides the best finish as well as the wainscoting. A pleasant contrast is created by the gleam against the satin or matte finish on the walls.

Having the environment in mind after the paint job and preparing to clean is a considerate move. Dumping can with liquid paint is not eco-friendly, and one should be careful to avoid pouring paint into the toilet, sink or yard. Dispose of all paint in a proper manner

  • Paint disposal.

The soil and ground water are safeguarded.  Most town landfills are charging for paint to be disposed in the right manner and at the right place.  Do your research.

Some paint disposal tips include:

  • Properly dried latex can be disposed at the local house trash can, however,
  • Leave leftover paints in cans to dry first before you are disposing of it, and ensure there is good ventilation in the rooms to which it can dry. Varying proportions of paint take different amounts of time to dry, and hence each treated appropriately.
  • Punching holes on the top of the can and exposing it out to dry is also another great way to solidify latex paint.
  • After drying and it is time to dispose of, the can should be removed to confirm to the waste management officials that the paint is dry.

Moving out.

If the lease agreement dictates returning of the original color, you will need time to restore this and thus the need for ample time.  The primary objective is to avoid legal problems and act as per the lease requirements.

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How to Repaint on a Budget

Posted by on Oct 7, 2017 in Painting | Comments Off on How to Repaint on a Budget

Repainting any space is one quick way of freshening up your home, but $30 a gallon for premium quality paint is no joke because a medium-sized bedroom requires 2 to 3 gallons of paint. If you are prepared for a new look but only have a few dollars to splurge, these seven ideas will assist you to find and access the paint you need to change the look of your walls without spending a fortune.

Repaint on a BudgetCheck your local recycling center

Recycling centers often take paint from local businesses that need to dispose of old, unused paint. Since paint has a long shelf life, most of the paint thrown away in these centers are still good and usable. The best bit is that you can collect such paints free!

Stop by the hardware store frequently

Paint specialty stores, hardware stores and Wal-Marts often have sections for mis-tints where they display and sell discolored paint products for a fraction of its initial cost. For instance, you can sometimes buy a $35 gallon of premium quality paint for under $15 at Lowes.

Invest in better paint

For paints, the quality you get depends on the amount you are willing to pay. Even though you may not think of going for the most expensive paint products, higher-end paints cover better, prompting the need to use less paint. They are also less messy and tend to be more durable, giving you a long-lasting impression.

Use primer

At times, you do not have to use primer, but if you are painting raw drywall, wood, rough surfaces, or stained surfaces, you need to use a primer. Moreover, if you are dramatically changing the color of your surfaces, the primer will help you to paint the cover better, thus the need for less paint. One layer of primer and one layer of paint is cheaper than two or three layers of paint.

Learn to paint like a pro

Amateur painters tend to squeeze out all paint from the roller every time. This rather makes sense, as you would use all the paint on the roller. However, rolling on thicker coats with a lighter touch uses less paint and appears more professional.

Buy in bulk

Purchasing paint in the five-gallon can is much cheaper than purchasing it in one-gallon containers. A five-gallon paint bucket costs about the same as four one-gallon buckets, thus securing a whole gallon of paint free. If you are painting a bigger area, pick one color to use for a greater fraction of the surface and you can save money.

Cover your rollers and brushes.

At times, it takes some days to complete a massive painting project. If you feel the need to pause before you finish a paint color, do not rinse the brushes and rollers.  This is only a waste of paint and time! Instead, tightly wrap them in plastic bags and tie with a rubber band. When you are ready to continue the next day, just unwrap, and you are ready to go.

However, the easiest way of saving on paint is by buying smaller quantities. If you are on a tight budget, consider redecorating your room with an accent wall, rather than painting the entire surface. The other excellent way of upgrading the appearance of a room if you still like the current color scheme is by painting the ceiling with a lighter version of the wall color.

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