Things To Consider When Choosing Paint

Are you planning an ambitious interior paint project? You’re probably already wondering what colors you should use. A subtle blue would complement the gleaming off-white tiles of the bathroom, and an earthy cinnamon shade would make the dining room feel so comfortable.

Alright, you have the colors nailed down. But do you know what kind of paint you’re going to use? Are you going to use traditional paint, or would you prefer something more eco-friendly? Do you want a high gloss paint or a low gloss one? These are questions that many homeowners forget to ask until they find themselves standing in the paint aisle of their local hardware store. To make the paint selection process easier, here are some important things to consider when choosing paint for your upcoming renovation project.

Traditional vs. No/Low VOC

Traditional paints are notorious for containing harmful substances called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can have adverse effects on anyone that breathes them in. They are carbon-based chemicals that can cause symptoms such as headaches and nausea. They can even cause long-term damage to the livers, kidneys, and other essential organs.

Luckily, there’s an alternative to traditional paint that dramatically reduces the amount of harmful VOCs released into the air. No/Low VOC paints, as the names suggest, are paints that contain infinitesimally low levels of volatile organic compounds.

Gloss and Sheen

The next thing to consider when choosing paint is how much light you want your paint to reflect. More reflection means a brighter, larger-looking room, and less reflection means a darker, smaller-looking one. You might prefer a bright and large living room, but bedrooms are usually better dark.

Gloss and sheen both refer to the amount of light that a painted surface reflects. But that doesn’t mean these two terms are mutually exclusive. Gloss is shinier, and sheen is more subtle. Some paints will have gloss, some will have a sheen, and some will have both.

In general, low gloss and low sheen are ideal for rooms where you want to hide imperfections such as scuffs. However, high gloss and high sheen are best for rooms that get a lot of traffic because the paint is more durable and stain-resistant.

Functional Qualities

Many paints have functional qualities that make them better suited for different applications. For example, you might see a paint that’s marked as “stain and fade resistance.” This kind of paint is excellent for dining rooms where there’s an increased likelihood of bumps and spills occurring. You might also come across paints labeled with “hide.” This means they conceal scratches and other imperfections on the paint surface. Depending on the kind of surface you’re painting and the goals of your renovation project, these qualities can come in handy.

Need help with residential painting in Portland, Oregon? The professional painters at JK Paint and Contracting can help you pick out the right colors and paints and use them to transform your space into something grand. Contact us today to discuss your vision!