I have put together this quick guide to help make sense of a confussing topic.
This is the most durable and easiest to clean of all. It’s super-shiny and reflects light really well. As it’s so tough, it’s the perfect choice for wooden architectural trims such as skirting boards, stair stringers, window frames, cabinets and doors. Don’t be tempted to use it for interior walls and always prepare your surface well, as gloss will show up every imperfection. Although it was very popular until the end of the 90's we very rarely are asked to apply a gloss finish nowdays, with our customers prefering Satinwood.
Gloss paint is a great paint finish for rooms with moisture such as kitchens and cloak rooms as well as architectural trims, this highly durable paint combats grease and humidity.
For a paint finish with luster that isn’t too shiny, Satinwood paint is more of a velvety paint that’s easy to clean and ideal for high traffic areas such as living spaces, entryways, children’s bedrooms and playrooms. it’s a great all-rounder, we reccomend using Benjamin Moore's Scuff X. Although it is slightly more expensive than other satinwood's the finish is great and amazing when it's sprayed.
Eggshell is named after a chicken’s egg as it has a similar look. This is a flat paint with very little sheen and it can be used to hide blemishes on walls or woodwork. It’s not as hardwearing as gloss or satinwood but works well in living areas and dining spaces as well as bedrooms.
When it comes to choosing between satinwood vs eggshell, the main thing to bear in mind is that eggshell has a lower sheen than satinwood, which means it is duller and closer to a flat or matte emulsion.
Thank you for spending the time to read our Blog, if you are considering a decorating / paint spraying project and you’d like some help or advice please feel free to get in touch. Call Trevor on 07532 778861 or email trevor@tjdecor.co.uk - TJ Painting and Decorating, Alton / Petersfield Hampshire
The good news is YES!! you can paint Matt emulsion over the following surfaces
Silk
Eggshell
Mid Sheen
Satin
Soft Sheen
Gloss Paint
However as with all good decorating projects the secret is in the Prep!!! If the walls are not prepared properly this can lead to the appearance of fine hairline cracks all over the walls
To begin with you need to provide a key for the new paint to stick too.
You do this by sanding the areas you want to paint with 80 or 120 grade sandpaper.
Ideally you need to remove any sheen or shine from the wall surface. The best way to do this is with the use of an electric sander. Bear in mind this can be a dusty process so it would be advisable to wear protective clothing and a dust mask. You may also want to tape up any doors and open windows to help the dust escape.
Another option would be to seek out local a local Painter and Decorator who uses a Dustless Sanding System. When you call just ask the Decorator if they use a Mirka sander for their prep work.
This would reduce the dust in your home dramatically. Once all the sanding has been completed, it is good practice to wipe down the walls with a damp cloth to remove any dust or contaminates that could effect the paint sticking to the wall.
Now you have completed the dusty business of sanding, you now need to prime the wall area. We have found the best product for this is Zinsser Gardz avaiable from most good Decorators Merchants.
A 5 litre tin costs about £40.00 and covers around 50m2 of wall.
To calculate how much Gardz you need use this Paint Calculator
Allow the Zinseer Gardz to fully dry and now you can apply the matt emulsion without any problems.
A question we get asked every year from about Easter until October is - I’m not sure if the oustide of my house needs painting, I was hoping you could help me?
Hopfully this short guide will help answer a few of those questions and concerns?
Masonry Blistering / Bubbling
If the previously applied masonry paint on the exterior of your home is starting to blister and bubble, then this is a sure sign that moisture is getting behind the paint and pushing away from the wall area.
There are reasons for the moisture getting behind the paint.
It could be moisture coming from within the property,
it could be coming in via cracks in the masonry,
Rising damp due to an ineffective damp proof course.
Even rainwater penetrating through the aging paintwork.
Dealing with these blisters / bubbles early is important because when they begin to burst and peel off, it will leave the surface exposed and will eventually make the problem worse.
Chalking
Chalking is very easy to identify, if you rub your hand over the surface of any previously painted wall area, and there is a chalky powder on your hand you have Chalking.
Chalking means that the resin in the paint have started breaking down. This is typically caused by UV light from the sun.
Essentially resin is the glue that holds all the other paint ingredients together.
Once the resin breaks down, the powders and pigments are no longer bonded together. So, they simply turn back to a fine powder.
Some paints are more resistant to UV breakdown than others but over time this will happen to all paints.
When a paint starts chalking it is at the end of its life cycle and needs to be re-painted. If left untreated the paint will start to come off and leaves the surface underneath exposed to the elemnts.
It is common to see this sort of thing on garage doors that have been neglected, as well as masonry surfaces.
Cracked or Blown Render
Cracked and blown render are typically caused by rainwater penetrating a wall, then expanding through freezing and thawing.
This is why it is essential that you keep your guttering and downpipes in good condition and free from leaks
You can easliy identify blown render by running a ring spanner across your masonry is a quick and easy way to identify blown areas.
Any areas that sound hollow have ‘blown’. Which essentially means the render has come away from the surface underneath.
Repairing cracks and blown render is essential to maintaining your property and should be done before any painting takes place. Most good Plasterers should be able to repair any damaged render for you.
If the blown render is not dealt with, water will still be able to get in behind the paint and cause further issues.
Peeling / Flaking Paintwork
If your paintwork is peeling and flaking this means there is an issue with the adhesion. (The paint has not stuck to the surface properly).
This can be caused by several things. Including incorrect products being used or the surface being damp, dirty or dusty before the paint was applied.
Dealing with this promptly will ensure your property does not remain exposed to further weather damage causing the timber underneath to rot.
Rotten Windows and Doors
When moisture does get into wooden doors and window frames it can cause a lot expense and damage. Including making them rotten. Regular maintenance is the best way to stop this happening and avoid having to replace windows and doors unnecessarily.
It can also mean windows and doors swell, making it impossible to close and secure them properly!
Mould / Dirt Pick Up
You can easily identify mould or dirt pick up on a painted surface, Areas or patches of green on a wall is mould and dirt pick up is usually more uniform and just looks grubby and well dirty.
Organic growth, such as mould, algae and lichen need moisture to survive and grow. If you have this on your walls then it means the surface has become porous and is holding moisture.
This is a good sign that the paint is coming towards the end of its life and needs to be re-painted soon.
Faded Colour
Another issue caused by UV light from the Sun is colour fading. Certain pigments in paint can fade over time and depending on which areas of your home get more sunlight than others you can start to see areas becoming patchy.
Investing in higher quality paints can reduce this issue.
What other benefits are there to painting the exterior of your home?
Painting the exterior of your home doesn’t just protect against these issues, it can also transform the look giving your home ‘kerb appeal’
This can be brilliant for the value of your property…plus it’ll make the neighbours jealous!
Final Thought
More often than not, prevention is way cheaper than cure.
Regular maintenance to the exterior of your home is essential.
Not only to improve the look but also save you money in the long run.
If you need further help or advice please feel free to contact Trevor TJ Painitng and Decorating 01420 88910 or trevor@tjdecor.co.uk
Does your home have flaking and cracking paintwork?
This is never a good sign; Commonly known in the “trade” as paint failure.
It is due to the reduction of the bond between a coat of paint and the surface to which it was originally applied.
This failure can occur if a coat is thin, inconsistent, a failed adhesion in the application process or the coating has just simply failed over the years through lack of a regular exterior maintenance programme.
Without proper preparation and know-how, a seemingly nice coat of paint can fail, ruining your exterior timber and forcing you to start from scratch.
CAUSES OF FLAKY AND CRACKING PAINT
While flaking occurs when paint is lifted from the underlying timber surface, cracking is caused by the splitting of a dry paint film from one or more coats of paint. According to painting experts, these two symptoms can occur for a few main reasons:
Water/Humidity: Paint that’s applied to a damp surface or paint that’s exposed to high humidity can peel easily. Plywood especially can expand and contract depending on humidity levels, making it prone to cracks and flaking in the surface coating.
Lack of Surface Preparation: When your paint surface is dirty or isn’t primed properly it’s prone to cracking and flaking even with a just a thin layer.
Expired or Low-Quality Paint: These paints can peel much more quickly than fresh, high-quality paint.
Improper Application: This is the most common cause of paint failure, especially when wood with an excessive amount of a “flat” hard grain is used.
Your best chance for avoiding paint failure when applying a coat of paint on your own is to be sure you’re using quality paint on a properly-prepared dry surface.
If you’re not sure you can tackle this yourself, reach out to a painting professional you can trust
HOW IT’S HARMFUL
To be honest a house with cracked, flaking paint isn’t inviting.
But besides being a visually unappealing, cracking, flaking paintwork on timber can leave to more expensive repairs if left unchecked.
If your building was built before 1978, there’s a chance that you could be dealing with paint that has lead in it. Lead paint is most dangerous when it’s cracking, blistering, or flaking, because it’s deteriorating and can cause lead-contaminated dust to be released into the air. This may lead to health problems in people of all ages, so it’s important to take precautions against it. Make sure your exterior timber is tested for lead before taking on any big renovations.
BENEFITS OF FIXING PAINT FAILURE EARLY
By keep your external timber in good condition, you’ll be able to save yourself hassle and money in the future.
Smaller, hairline cracks can be fixed more easily as a DIY project with the proper tools. But, if you have peeling or flaking paint, you’re at risk for water damage or damage to the substrate beneath that require professional attention. Depending on how deep the damage goes within the timbers, it will cost more and more to replace it, so it’s important to call in a professional immediately.
By routinely looking for smaller cracks, you’ll be able to avoid pricier renovations and replacements of your exterior woodwork.
BRINGING IN AN EXPERT
Since flaking or cracking paintwork can cause a property to lose its aesthetics and can also affect the value of your home, it is important that you repair the issues when they begin to appear.
Considering that improper paint application is a major factor in this, it’s imperative to choose a reputable and reliable Painter and Decorator who can repair flaking and cracking paintwork and will properly apply high-quality paint and coatings that are formulated for the specific surface and environmental conditions.
If you are noticing hairline cracks or peeling, flaky paint on your home’s external woodwork.
Please consider calling us we’d be happy to examine your property and determine the best solution possible.
Click the link below to make an appointment today
