Finding a Quality Paint

Why Is Quality Important?

Paint adds more than color and life to our home. Quality paints possess the ability to resists elements and withstand forces of nature and this depends on the quality of paint used. Preference of a cheaper and low-quality paint leads to disaster and force you to repaint at the shortest amount of time. Quality paint applied to a suitable surface last longer, therefore, minimizes the need for repainting and repairing.

We are often swayed and act on impulse (without a thought or so) and buy things on sale, discounted products and cheap priced materials. Paint is included in this especially we can’t resist an instant savings. We often forget to consider if it does include quality. Advertisements often drives us to be contented on a certain brand without knowing if its applicable to the surface that we’ll be painting. It’s really hard to ignore promos/discounts especially if you’re cross budgeting. Always remember that it really pays to be quality-oriented.

Home painting is more than the color and adding beauty to our home. It contributes protection and longer lasting of its structural attributes. Therefore, choosing quality paint is important.

Latest innovation and improved quality paint product that is tougher and excels in durability is now widely available in the market. You should only have the knowledge on which product that is best in quality and has the necessary attributes that will best be applied to a certain surface. Understanding which ingredient added to paint would contribute to its durability and greater outcome.

Quality is vital, practical and convenient not momentarily but for the longest time. Proper preparations and right application is needed to obtain great result.

Benefits of High Quality Paints

Having high quality paints with proper preparation would definitely guarantee great results. Great result would give the best value of your money, time and effort.

Great results include “good coverage” that is attained from high quality paints which has the right amount of binder, pigment and additives that gives proper paint consistency. Low quality paints has paint extenders that leads to chalking, chipping, peeling and other disastrous result.

Quality paints give better adhesion of paint on the surface it applies. Pigment does not move apart from its binder that gives longer lasting color and paint life. Quality paints also excel in resisting abrasions, damages and other forces of elements and human activities that would benefit you in the long run due to its flexibility and durability that minimizes the need for repainting and repairs. It also provides protection to our home. It protects the roof from rusting, foliage in the inner part of the ceiling, and reduces power consumption for it disallows heat from travelling inside the house. It protects walls from destructive elements such as pest infestation and more.

High quality paints definitely adds beauty, value and durability to our home.

Ingredients of Paint

Commonly known ingredients of paint are pigment, binder, and additives. Pigment is a fine substance that is responsible for the paint’s color. Binder holds the pigment together, keeping the pigment attached to the paint mixture and to the substrate (surface).

Latex, vinyl and acrylic uses water as binder that’s why they are classified as water-based paints. Alkyds, semi-glossed and glossed paints are oil-based paints that use mineral spirits as solvent such as thinner to gain proper paint consistency. The additives are extra ingredients that provide special uses necessary to a certain surface. Additive enhances different properties of painting. Enhancement includes splatter resistance, paint film hardness and flexibility, and other special functions.

After application of paint, solvent evaporates while the pigment, binder and additive are lift on the surface which becomes the paint film. Paints containing proper or higher amount of these ingredients will form an excellent paint film, providing more protection and gives quality result.

Choosing the Right Product Type

Paints are vastly available in the market today, that’s why selecting the right product type often confuses us, not to mention paint’s price distinctions from cheaper to expensive ones.

Basically, knowledge of the different ingredients of paint would let you understand the quality, advantages and disadvantages of it. There are two popular kinds of paint; oil-based or alkyd paints and water-based or acrylic paints.

Water-based paints, widely known as latex or acrylic paints are commonly used in interior painting because it produces less odor and are non-toxic. High quality water-based paints are excellent in adhesion, elasticity, and are easier to clean. It’s appropriate for bustle areas such as your kitchen and other functional areas that are prone to wear and tear problems. It dries quickly from 1 to 6 hours, thus, giving you time to check for coverage. 100% acrylic paint is the best water-based paint for it includes splattering resistance, proper paint consistency and superior resistance from chalking, fading and chipping. It also has great color and sheen retention.

Oil-based paints, widely known as alkyd, need solvent for proper paint consistency. They are durable and have stain resistance and repel moisture from destroying paint film. Also best applied among moisture-prone areas for it contains “mildewcide” that reduces the growth of mildews, molds and algae.

Other types of paints with special function:

Elastomeric. Is a unique exterior paint with a rubber quality which is developed for cracked masonry such as stucco. It’s a very thick paint that can bridge over small cracks and stretches with the surface.

Epoxy. A two-component paint that’s very tough and resistant to chemicals. It’s suitable for damage areas in your interiors.

DTM (Direct to Metal). Is primarily developed for industrial finish but are also used in residential. It is suitable on steel siding and other metal materials and s best for exteriors.

Urethane Floor Enamels. Is a very shiny paint with all the positive characteristic of an oil-based enamel. It’s very hard and scratch-resistant. It is perfect choice for wooden and porch floor.

Different area demands different characteristic of paints. High quality interior paint should provide:
• Good coverage,
• Excellent in adhesion,
• High sheen quality for easier removal of smudges and dirt, and
• Elasticity and durability.

Since the exterior area is prone to weather changes and elements, paint should be:
• Durable through weather changes,
• Resistant from chipping, flaking, cracking and peeling-off,
• Resistant to dust, mildews, algae and other elements,
• Lasting color, and
• Good coverage.

Right choices of paint should be accompanied with proper surface preparation to guarantee good result.

Information Sources

We can obtain knowledge on high quality and type of paint through the following:

Label. The most convenient source of knowledge of what is the composition of paint. Included is the brand name which you could check for good products, quality and standard trademarks, and proof of the paint’s quality.

Catalogues and Product Leaflets. Often contains paint cost, available colors, and suitable and applicable surfaces. You may access this through accredited hardware and paint outlets. But best to gain this among accredited establishments for they possess the right knowledge on paint usage and best product suited for a given surface.

Television. Provides an instant guide in home improvement. It is the easiest and accessible medium of information on paints that often drives our interest in venturing into mini home projects and home painting. Colors, designs, and the latest in home painting are advertised through television.

Magazines. House related magazines give more interesting ideas on the latest trend and fashion in home painting. What materials, furnitures and garments best suit a certain room and color combination are suggested.

Color Chart. Used by architects, designers and painters. It allows you to choose a certain color and its complementary colors, letting the other colors be defined among other complementing color. Best to rely on it to avoid using contrasting color combinations and the need of repainting.