Choose the right paint and colour for your home

Painting your house can be a daunting task. It is, therefore, advisable to hire a professional painter as often times painting requires skills such as surface preparation to allow the paint to stick.

Types
Patrick Yiga, an operations manager at Live Painters, says the type of paint you choose is as important as its colour. He says you can either use water-based paint or oil-based paint which is used mainly, for glossy woodwork, doors, and furniture, as well as demanding surfaces such as floors.
Yiga argues that when switching to a water-based paint on a surface that has previously been coated with an oil-based product, the new paint may not look good or stick evenly. “In such a situation, I recommend cleaning the surface with a medium to smooth grit sandpaper in order to prevent peeling of the new coat.

Then apply a universal undercoat,” Yiga adds.
“…water-based paints are majorly used because they have low levels of toxic emissions, are easy to clean using water, dry quickly and have an elastic, flexible finish that is resistant to cracking and remain with their original look over time,” he says.

Alternative
Yiga explains that for cases where oil-based paint would be preferable, but you desire a water-based product, a number of companies have introduced “waterborne enamels”.
These paints look and behave much like oil-based options because they have good levelling qualities for a smooth finish.

Finishing
For paint finishes, options vary with every manufacturer, but share some common characteristics. “As durability improves across all sheen levels with newer paints, many people are finding creative ways to mix and match them. We have noticed that customers are becoming more experimental in their use of paint finish, to create real impact and texture within a scheme,” Yiga says.

He recommends water-based paint; and on the market these come in variety of sheen which include; silk, Italian stucco, Duotone, Matt finish, gloss [enamel] and varnish, among others. Yiga says when you choosing interior sheen, consider how much traffic the area gets.

Choosing interior sheen
Gloss [enamel]. This is a low-sheen paint with a non-reflective finish that touches up well and hides minor surface imperfections. It is ideal for low traffic areas, interior walls and ceilings.
Matt. It has a low lustre reflective finish that is durable, easy to clean, touches up well, and hides minor surface imperfections. It is great for low to moderate traffic areas, such as bedrooms.

Eggshell enamel. This has a soft, velvety appearance and is a good choice for moderate traffic areas such as the living room.
Satin enamel. It is used if you desire a pearl-like appearance, and are painting moderate to high traffic areas or areas that have some exposure to moisture, such as the kitchen.

Semi-Gloss enamel. You can use this if desire a sleek, radiant sheen that is great from cabinets and trim, high-traffic areas and high-moisture areas.
Hi-Gloss enamel. It creates a brilliant, shiny appearance with a glass-like finish. This is great for surfaces that are used constantly such as kitchen work tops.

Choosing colour
Yiga tips on knowing which colour you need for each space. Colour is a major player in creating atmosphere and transforming spaces. You may look through the standard colour charts arranged by the chosen paints company, or take a look at finished products for ideas.

“Warm colours, such as red, orange and yellow will create spaces that are welcoming, comforting and energising. Cool colours, from the blue, green and purple families, make spaces that feel open, breezy and relaxing. If you are unsure about colour pairings, consult your painter,” he explains.
He says for the exterior of your home use paint made specifically for that purpose and these include weather guard, paste (grafiaco), stone paste (stone finish), abatone and sadolac (enamel).

Weather guard
Is a water based product for the exterior. It is similar to silk but is resistant to many weather conditions. It comes in many colours depending on the company.

Sadolac (enamel)
It is an oil-base exterior finish and provides the same finish like weather guard.

Paste (grafiaco)
This is a finish that provides a rough textured pattern made by a chosen gauge of stones in the mold. The most common patterns are dropping straight lines.

Abatone
This is also like paste only that it contains no stones and provides a less rough texture.

Stone paste
These are fine stones applied on a base that sticks them on the wall.

PRICES
Prices vary according to your preferred company. For reference you can get a price list at any hardware shop near you.
Sadolin paints prices
•Undercoat 20 Litres- Shs62,000
•4 Litres- Shs37,000
• Silk 20 Litres- Shs255,000
•4Litres- Shs53,000
• Weather guard 20 Litres- Shs265,000
•4 Litres- Shs56,000
• Paste 30Kg Shs210,000

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