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Is There a Best Paint for House Painting in Pleasanton?


Is There a Best Paint for House Painting in Pleasanton?

House painting in Pleasanton is a quick and easy way of giving your room or the entire house a new look with a fraction of the price of a complete renovation.

But painting your home doesn’t only make your house look pretty – it has some other incredible benefits, too:

  • It increases the protection of your home.
  • It helps repair the damage to it.
  • It improves indoor air quality.
  • It brings aesthetic appeal to your home.
  • It allows you to add personal touches to your living space.
  • It extends the life of your home.
  • It increases your home’s value.

Choosing the best paints for your home

Whether you’re about to do interior or exterior house painting in Pleasanton, your home deserves nothing but the right paints. So, choosing paints should not be a matter of guesswork. It is helpful if you do a bit of research.

Paint comes in two basic categories:

1) Water-based paints – As the name implies, water-based paints use water as their liquefying base instead of chemical solvents.

  • Latex – Latex paints are still the most popular option for home interior and exterior paint jobs. They are also the most environmentally viable option, emitting fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them safe and comfortable to work with, especially in indoor painting. Latex paints are also easier to clean with soap and water. But compared to the other paints, latex paints are less durable and thus ideal only for areas that don’t see a lot of wear and tear.
  • Acrylic – In the world of house paints, both “latex” and “acrylic” are used interchangeably and have become generic terms for water-based paints. While latex and acrylic paints are similar in composition and use, acrylic paints contain more acrylic polymers than latex, making them more durable than the latter (and also more expensive). Acrylic paints can make a better option for surfaces with much more wear and tear, such as cabinets or closet doors.

2) Oil-based (or alkyd) paints – These paints use natural oil (particularly linseed oil) or synthetic (alkyd) oil as a liquefying base. The terms “oil-based” and “alkyd” are used interchangeably, as the most common oil-based paints in the market have alkyd oil as a popular liquefying agent. While oil-based paints are less common than latex paints, they have some advantages. They are more durable than water-based paints and can provide a solid and smooth finish by not showing brush or lap marks. Oil-based paints are recommended for surfaces that are constantly abused, such as doors, floors, cabinets, and furniture. However, oil-based paints take significantly longer to dry and are prone to yellowing. Plus, oil-based paints have a strong, invasive chemical odor.

Paints are also classified by their finishes:

  • Flat or matte – Flat or matte paint has the least amount of sheen. It requires only a few coats to provide excellent coverage. It is the best finish for hiding stains, nail holes, and other surface flaws. However, flat or matte paint is the least durable paint finish; thus, it will easily come off when cleaned or scrubbed. Flat or matte paint is ideal for surfaces that won’t be touched much, such as ceilings, and areas with very low traffic, such as bedrooms.
  • Eggshell – This paint’s finish resembles the sheen of a chicken egg, thus the name. Compared to flat paint, eggshell paint finish is more durable but not as durable as glossier paint. It can hold up to some wear and tear. But eggshells’ hiding ability is poor compared to that of flat paints. Eggshell paints are popular for places with low or medium traffic, such as living rooms, guest bathrooms, and hallways.
  • Satin – Satin gives off a sheen that, despite the name, is often described as velvety. It is shinier and more durable than flat and eggshell, making them a popular choice for medium- to high-traffic areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms, laundry rooms, and children’s playrooms. But satin tends to reveal brush strokes or lap marks, making touch-ups a bit tricky.
  • Semi-gloss – Semi-gloss paint is shinier than eggshell and satin, giving off a more reflective appearance. Its highly durable finish makes it resistant to general wear and tear. It is also easy to clean. But because of its sheen, semi-gloss paint tends to show brush and roller marks. It is excellent for trim, railings, as well as cabinetry.
  • High-gloss or glossy – High-gloss paint is the shiniest, emitting the most reflective sheen that appears almost mirror-like. When applied on the surface, high-gloss paint looks like plastic or enamel. It’s also the most durable and washable it can withstand daily washing and scrubbing. High-gloss paint is excellent for trim, railings, and cabinets. While not generally used for walls, high-gloss paint can be applied for accent walls and even ceilings that can brighten the darkest spaces. However, proper prep work is required when using this finish – it can show flaws when misapplied.

The function of the area to be painted

Consider the function of the room you plan to paint as the basis for choosing the right paints.

  • High-traffic areas – Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and children’s playrooms are among the areas with the highest foot traffic. Paints with gloss or sheen are recommended for such spaces. The glossier the paints, the better they are at repelling dirt and the easier to clean.
  • Low-traffic areas – Bedrooms, study rooms, and formal living rooms are examples of low-traffic areas in a home. Certain surfaces, such as ceilings, don’t get abused as much as other surfaces. It would be best to use flat or eggshell paints in those areas.

The size of the rooms to be painted

Another rule of thumb in choosing paints is: lighter-colored paints will make small rooms seem bigger, while darker colors will make large rooms appear smaller. The size of your room can also be a deciding factor when choosing paint colors.

However, it is not always the case. Some designers recommend, against conventional thinking, that painting a small room with dark colors can make it look bigger. According to them, dark colors visually enlarge the space and add depth.

There is no single “best” paint for house painting in Pleasanton. The choice of paints depends on the size, function, and amount of foot traffic in a space. Just make sure to purchase only quality paints your budget can afford – they may cost more, but they will save money in the long run. Also, don’t skip this crucial step – surface preparation before painting. No matter how premium the paint is, it won’t stick to a dirty surface and can cause potential surface flaws like peeling and bubbling.

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