Paint brush vs. rollers

When should you use a roller or a paint brush? You want to use a brush when you need to paint narrow strips or to cut in , painting sharp edges.  Because of the soft edges of a roller, it simply cannot lay a sharp line. Although a roller lays down paint about three times faster than a brush. A good roller with beveled edges leaves no roller or overlap marks.  A roller is the tool of choice for large, flat areas such as a ceiling or wall. Most paint jobs will require both a roller and brush for the entire painting application. The key is to understand when to use each applicator and to know how to use each properly, including pouring out only as much paint as you are going to need for the job.

A good brush feels like a natural extension of your hand. There are many types of paint applicators available, but quality is the key. Bristle brushes are generally more expensive but will last longer and outperform their more inexpensive counterparts. A good quality, properly cared for paint brush will last for years. Thus making it well worth it’s cost with it’s overall performance and durability over time.

Here are some basic painting tools. Good quality tools are one of the most important investments you’ll make as you become more involved in home improvement projects around your home and do it yourself projects. The tools listed will help you achieve the best results for your painting jobs. Some you may already have, some you’ll need to purchase. When you’re preparing for a project, fill out your tool list with the best products you can afford. Quality tools can save you time and money down the road. They also can save you time and effort. Products you should have on hand or consider are as follows.
One quart bucket
Brushes – various sizes
Paint can opener
Rags – various porous
Rollers – various sizes
Spray bottle
Five gallon bucket
Caulking gun
Paint can pouring spout
Roller cages – various sizes
Round corner sponges
Stainless wire brush – various sizes
Five in one tool
Drop cloth
Paint mixer
 Roller grid for five gallon bucket Rubber gloves
Step ladder
Brush and roller spinner
Extension pole
Painters tape
 Roller pan safety goggles
Tape measure
Brush extender
Masks
Putty knives
Roller pans
Sanding blocks
Utility knives

This is a brief list of necessary painting supplies. Remember that do it yourself projects are far more cost effective when you have the right tools. Tools of less quality can also cost you more in the long run because of lost time on the job or replacement cost plus the cost of the original item you had to replace.

Color Wheel

Any color scheme begins with a single color. You want a blue dining room. A red house. A yellow nursery. The question is, what next? Look at the blue dining room. The simplest scheme would be a monochromatic approach. Do the entire room in shades of blue. You probably don’t want dark blue walls, so go with a lighter tint, like powder blue. The trim could be a darker shade of the same color, or in what designers call an analogous scheme, the trim color could come from one of blue’s adjacent slices of the color wheel. If blue on blue proves to be overpowering, you can look for a complementary color – one that falls opposite your first choice on the color wheel.  Technically, in the blue dining room, this would be orange; however you might prefer to fudge just a little with a brass chandelier or a burnt umber finish on the furniture. For variety, you might choose triadic colors, those that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel. Tints and shades of blue, red, and yellow are shown on the color wheel. Pictures in decorating and house magazines are also a good source for color combinations that work well tobether.

Here’s your chance to view personal color matches for your own painting application.

For your home or business, Benjamin Moore offers an online tool to view and try thousands of paint colors. This online tool allows you to view and sample photos showing interior and exterior views of available paints. What an opportunity to preview color combinations on your home or business, before spending a lot of money on paint? With this tool you can use the online digital painting tools and save time and money.

This tool is more effective that bringing home individual painting samples on cards that don’t actually give you the total feel of the color once it’s applied to the entire wall. With this tool you just point and click to see rooms, furnishings, and house exteriors in many different colors.

One of the other unique benefits to this tool is that you are able to match your colors right in your own home, and actually have your home appliances and living fixtures right there to reference for proper coloration. Most of the tool are free, or you can buy a $10 cd that actually allows you to add photos of your own home, and adding the Benjamin Moore colors right to your own home needs.

Click on the link below
Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer

Removing wallpaper can be a long process. There are a few different steps that you will need to take in order to remove all of the wallpaper. You will not be able to paint until all of the wallpaper has been removed. There are a couple of different methods that can be used to remove wall paper. You can use a steamer or a chemical solution. Tools that you will need for removing the paper are a scoring tool, a couple of broad knives, a small pump sprayer, a steamer, and /or a chemical solution.

Depending on what kind of wallpaper that was put on your walls will help you decide which method you will want to use to remove the wallpaper. If a primer was not put on the walls before the wallpaper was installed, then the wall underneath could be damaged it you do not use the right method. If you just try to rip the wallpaper off using the steaming method, then you are more likely to damage the wall if there was no primer. A solution method should be used in this particular case. If you are going to use a solution method, then you are going to want to make sure that you cover all of your floors before you begin the process.

Once you decide which method you are going to use, you may begin to score the wallpaper. No matter which of the two methods you use, you will need to score the wallpaper. It will help you remove it more efficiently. Once you have score and remove the paper that will come off easily, then you will use either the steamer or spray the remaining paper with the chemical solution. Continue this process until you have removed all the wallpaper from the walls. Once all the paper is removed, you will want to wipe down the walls to remove all leftover residues.

Every two to five years it is recommended that you paint the outside of your home. The paint on the outside of your home is easily faded by the suns heat. It can really change the color of the paint over time. This will cause your home to look like it is not very well taken care of. You do not want people to see the outside of your home and think that you have let it go because you don’t care about the way it looks. This can also be a problem if you are planning on selling your home.

Before you paint your home, there are steps that you need to take. You cannot add new paint directly on top of the old paint, especially if it is peeling off. You will need to scrape off the old paint first before you do anything else. If you have a large area to paint or places that you cannot reach even with a ladder, then you can use a power washer. There are some materials that you do not want to use a power washer on as this could possibly cause damage to your home.

A power washer is going to be a quick way to remove most of the unwanted paint. You may still have to scrape of those hard to reach places by hand. Paint can be very stubborn and may not be easy to remove. After you are finished removing all the paint, you are going to want to tape all of the door and window frames. This will keep you from getting paint on them. You will also want to cover any areas that you do not want to get paint such as your porch, deck, or patio.

Welcome to one of the hottest painting techniques for interior decorating. Faux paint finishing can create an incredible amount of elegance to any room. Not only does this technique add a unique beauty, it’s extremely affordable. When properly applied, a faux finish will increase the warmth of the room you are decorating. 

The painting industry has seen a higher demand in the faux finishing industry, and have introduced a plethora of new tools to help with your painting needs. A quality faux finish starts with a quality drywall finish. A porous drywall finish allows for various techniques and really opens the door for some incredible finishes.

Faux finishes include leather and brick. Color washing, paint stripes and the use of sponges allow a lot of freedom and variation to your faux finish. Do it yourselfers should consider these options. Glaze paint, which is used on walls and ceilings; furniture and various items. Glazing paint comes in a variety of effects such as metallic, sand, lime washed and wood. Crackle paste or aging glaze can be used for rustic, antique finishes with the look of cracked oil varnishes. Crackle paste can be applied to an assortment of surfaces including furniture, woodworking and trim. For a marbled effect you can use Venetian plaster. This can create a natural stone or polished marble type look. Sculpturing paste is used when you are trying to achieve a raised design. This is a great look on cabinets, furniture and walls. Color tinting is one other thing that you can consider when faux finishing. Tints can be used for changing glaze colors, which will help you incorporate a greater spectrum of designs.

There so many different home improvement stores around. They all want you to come in and purchase things for a major remodel. Often time’s people do not realize that there are small simple things that can be done, that will really help modernize their home. Replacing fixtures, door knobs, painting, and simply organizing can really have a major impact on your home. You do not have to rip down walls or add a new room to help create a newer feel to your home.

If you are looking for something different all over your home, you should try painting and replacing door knobs. I know that this does not sound like much, but you would be surprised at how a simple change can have such an impact. A new door knob can change the entire appearance of the door. It can go from looking old fashioned to a more modern look. If you have a room that seems small and uninviting, you can try a new paint color that will make the room seem larger. Light, bright colors can make a room more inviting as well.

Replacing fixture in the bathroom can really change the look of this room as well .There is many different options available that you will not be limited to a certain time period. That can be a problem among homes that were built 20 to 30 years ago. Everyone has the same thing. This is a simple fix that can make your home stand apart from all the others. It does not take major remodel to really update a home. The simple little changes can have a major impact as well.

Painting can make a huge difference in a home. Old popular colors or dirty walls can make a home look very dated. A fresh coat of paint will take your home and make it look updated. However, it needs to be done properly. If you do not prepare for the painting process, lines will not be straight, and it will cause huge eye sores throughout the house.

Tape Edges

Trim throughout the home should be covered properly. Ensure that you buy good tape so that the paint will not bleed through it. Go along every edge that you will painting to make nice straight lines throughout.

Caulking on Windows and Door Frames

If this is a new construction, you may want to go around and caulk the gap between the wall and the trim. This is because even though you can get the wood close to the drywall, due to texture there will almost always be a small gap. Caulking around the edges will give the appearance of a solid piece that is perfectly flush with the wall.

Cover Floor Properly

If you have existing flooring, you want to ensure to cover the floor with plastic. The plastic can be bought at any home improvement store. Simply put this down throughout all the rooms that are going to be painted to protect the floor from paint that is guaranteed to get on the floor without it.

Bathrooms are some of the top remodeled rooms across the country. A bathroom can easily become outdated simply due to the amount of space. People are looking for a more spacious look when it comes to bathrooms. No one wants a cramped space that was common so many years ago. People want bathrooms to be more efficient and spacious.

The size of the bathroom is one of the most common reasons for many people to begin a remodel. People want more room to move around and begin their day without feeling trapped in a small humid bathroom. Many homeowners want a master bathroom with both a separate bathtub and shower and a double vanity. This requires more room than the traditional old style bathroom. Garden tubs are replacing the traditional combination of a tub and shower. Smaller bathrooms can be easily remodeled just by replacing the old fixtures with new smaller fixtures.

The colors that are in a bathroom can really change the feel of the room. A small one can seem bigger if a light color is placed on the wall. This a great option if you do not have room to expand. Light neutral colors are great for just about any bathroom. This color combination will go with any style that is within the home already.

Replacing old fixtures with new ones can really add a whole new look to a bathroom without a major expense. If you are just trying to add a more modern look, this is a great place to start. Replacing the old sink and toilet is also a great way to get a more modern look with out having to completely remodel the whole bathroom. If you are trying to get more space, you might consider a pedestal sink instead of a full vanity.

A bathroom remodel does not need to be costly. There are small changes that can completely transform a room with out the expense of a full remodel.

During an economic crunch every one is trying to add more value to the property that they own. Whether you are trying to sell your home or refinance your home, there are some things that you can do to add more value to it. The kitchen and the bathrooms are the top two rooms that buyers or appraiser look at to help determine the value or worth of your home.

If you have a kitchen that is freshly remodeled the home is going to bring in more money. Most of the time the turn around on a kitchen remodel is close to 120%. This means you can greatly increase the value by simply updating appliances, adding new flooring, and new countertops. These things can be done without having to spend a fortune. You do not want to price yourself out of the market. This means that you need to buy materials that are going to fit in the price range of the demographic buying group of the area.

A bathroom remodel is a definite seller as well. Many people want to move into a home that is move-in ready. They do not want to have to spend the extra money for a remodel. People want a bathroom that has plenty of space and modern fixtures. Many home buyers are looking for a home with at least two bathrooms. Bathrooms can be easily transformed by changing a few things such as fixtures, flooring, and a fresh coat of paint. Accomplishing these few things will help add value to your home.

A fresh coat of paint in other rooms will also help with the value of your home. When you are choosing new colors, you want to think about what a potential buyer would like. You do not want to put your own preferences before the buyers. This could cause you to make choices that are hard to sell. You want to stick with neutral colors or tones. This way it makes it easier for people to picture themselves already living there.

These are just a few tips on how to add great value to your home. Whether you are trying to sell, refinance, or just simply remodel, these tips are sure to help.

While kitchens aren’t exactly the centerpiece for most homes, that doesn’t mean it deserves a cold shoulder either.  A few makeovers here and a couple of small touches there should more than help give your kitchen unit a reasonable upgrade, without entailing too much in costs.

Kitchen cabinets are prime areas for getting a touch-up.  A new paint job on that small area can give the whole room a much-needed makeover.  If your kitchen cabinet is a laminate or melamine surface, however, you can’t paint over them.  If you do, there’s a good chance you’ll ruin it bad.

Make sure to remove mechanical parts like knobs, screws and hinges before starting so you don’t paint them over.  Clean all surfaces thoroughly and allow to dry.  Also, there’s no better time to putty-in any holes or sand uneven areas so you might as well do it before the actual paint job begins.

If you’re looking for a paint type to use, satin enamel works great for kitchen cabinets, ably covering up the needed areas while being completely washable, so it’s easy to clean.  When painting, it’s always best to use a 4 or 6 inch roller, so you can paint large areas with one stroke.

When painting the cabinets, it’s best to start with the face frames followed by any inside surfaces you want to paint over.  Continue with the drawers and end with the outer areas of the doors.  That should keep the whole job fairly clean and mess free.

Let the paint dry overnight and check the next morning whether you need additional coatings.  If all looks fine, put all the parts back together and marvel at the sight of your new kitchen, courtesy of a simple kitchen cabinet paint job.