Painless Paint Picking…

 

 

Choosing the right paint manufacturer can be confusing – learn how to make the choose with ease.

 

 

As if choosing colors weren’t confusing enough, you also have to decide which brand is your best choice.

 

 

The best paint can improve your home’s appearance, protect it from the weather, and even protect walls in high traffic areas.

 

 

While a fresh coat of paint on the siding and trim will give your house curb appeal, exterior paint isn’t just for show. It provides an important layer of protection against moisture, mildew, and the effects of the sun.

 

 

Painting your walls, ceiling, or furniture can be one of the least expensive ways to bring a fresh change to your indoor space.

 

 

Interior and exterior paints come in a variety of sheens. The dullest is flat, followed by low-lusted (often called eggshell or satin) semi-gloss, and gloss. The flatter finishes are best for siding and for walls, with the lowest sheen variety the best choice if you need to mask imperfections. Glossy paint is most often used for trim because it highlights the details of the woodwork and the paint is easy to clean.

 

 

What’s Available

Major brands include Benjamin Moore, Behr (sold at The Home Depot), Valspar (sold at Lowe’s), Dunn- Edwards, Pratt & Lambert, Dutch Boy, Glidden, and Sherwin-Williams.  You’ll also see many other brands of paint sold regionally.

 

1.      Benjamin Moore Paint

 

 Since 1883, this company has produced interior and exterior paint finishes. Through ongoing, rigorous, scientific testing, the company has developed products that meet or exceed environmental standards and provide a superb quality for both amateur and professional painters alike. In a House & Garden poll of top interior designers, Benjamin Moore was the number-one choice of paints for use either by their clients or in their own homes.

 

2.      Behr Premium Plus Paint

With superb qualities, reasonable pricing, and immediate accessibility, Behr paint is a         top choice for interior paint. The Behr Premium Plus line of interior paints is available at The Home Depot and tests top-of-the-line on clean ability, hiding minor flaws, and mildew protection, and it carries a lifetime warranty.

 

3.      Valspar American Tradition Paint

Since 1806, Valspar has developed a full line of interior and exterior paints, stains, primers, faux finishes, and cleaners. Most finishes are washable and stain resistant and feature easy application, low odor, and soap-and-water cleanup of paintbrushes and tools. The products are sold at hardware stores, and its American Traditions line, which has excellent hiding, mildew resistance, and stain coverage, is available at Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers. 

 

4.      Dunn-Edwards Paint

This company manufactures, test, and retails interior and exterior paint products for use in the southwestern United States, a dry and hot region. The company uses top quality ingredients formulated to meet environmental standards especially for this special area. The paints have been chosen by interior decorators, designers, and professional painters as the top choice for paint for jobs and in their own homes.

 

5.      Pratt & Lambert Paint

This company has offered top-quality paint in luxurious sheens and colors since its founding in 1849. The new lightweight container with a built-in handle makes it ideal for homeowner use. The products are sold in hardware and paint stores throughout the US.

 

6.      Dutch Boy

Dutch Boy paints have been used to paint historic buildings since 1907. They’re very reasonably priced, have been rated “very good” by consumers, and are readily available at K-Mart, Walmart, Sears, and Orchard Supply Hardware stores throughout the US.

 

7.      Glidden

One of the newest products on the market for interior painting is Glidden’s new ceiling paint. It goes on pink, but dries a bright white. Never miss a spot again! This and other Glidden products are sold at The Home Depot stores, company stores, hardware stores, and paint centers throughout the US.

 

8.      Sherwin-Williams Paint

Since 1866, this company has manufactured interior and exterior surface coating products for homes and industry. It maintains its own storefronts as well as selling its products in home improvement centers. The Martha Stewart Signature Collection offers colors selected by the home expert.

 

 

 To determine the best paint for your home, consider the following tips:

 

Buy the best. Good or economy grades don’t weather as well as top-of-the-line products. Using a cheaper grade of paint means you’ll spend more money in the long run because you’ll need to repaint more often.

 

 

Consider where you live. Paints of any color accumulate dirt over time. The top-rated paints tend to resist it better than the others; darker colors hide it better.

 

 

Don’t overlook the preparation work. For exterior surfaces,be sure you scrape, sand, and clean the siding thoroughly before applying paint. Good preparation makes any paint last longer. Interior prep work: wash and clean the surface and make any necessary repairs.

 

 

If you don’t want to bother with doing your own work and you want to seek a painter, here are some tips in choosing a good painter: Once you find a potential painter, ask how long she or he has been in business. Check with the State of Connecticut to make sure that he or she has an active license and adequate insurance. Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and call them. Ask questions such as the following: Does he or she return calls? Did he or she arrive on time? Does she or he get the work done in a timely manner? Is she or he neat?