Painting and Decorating Overview

Painting and Decorating Overview

Nothing impacts the appearance of your home or office more than a fresh coat of paint or a new contemporary wall covering. But there is more to paints, stains and wallpaper than just colour and appearance. Paints and wall coverings also perform a vital role in protecting walls, siding and masonry from both the external elements and the day to day wear and tear activities of the home or office.     

Like any home improvement project, the success of a painting or wallpaper project will depend largely on hiring the right person to perform the work. Professional painters, sometimes also called Painters and Decorators offer a range of painting and wallpapering services including:

• interior and exterior painting
• residential, commercial or industrial painting and decoration
  
• graffiti removal and anti graffiti coatings
  
• colour consulting
• decorative finishes, faux finishing
  
• wallpaper supply and installation
• restoration services
  
• wall patching and repairs
• painting and staining
• surface preparation
• house washing / high pressure cleaning services
  

What's in a quality paint job?

There is more to achieving a high quality paint job than simply putting paint on your interior or exterior walls. The most important step in the painting process is surface preparation. How you prepare the surface to be painted, stained or covered will determine how long the paint job will last and how good it will look. You can go down the DYI track for painting and wallpapering, however to you need to take care.  Using the wrong paint or low-quality materials or not taking the time to prepare the surface correctly can spell disaster and end up costing far more than any cost savings of doing-it-yourself.

There are five key things to consider:

1. Surface Preparation - Without proper surface preparation you are simply throwing money down the drain. All surfaces should be clean, free of holes, cracks, or peeling paint. This is very time consuming but critical for quality results.
   
2. Materials - choosing the right paints (see "Paint Types - Selecting the Right Paint or Stain"), primers and other materials is essential to achieving lasting protection and appearance of your home or work space. Only use high-quality paint and follow the paint or wallpaper manufacturer's product specification sheets.
   
3. Methods of applying paints and coatings - The method for applying paint will vary with the type of surface and the type of material being used. 
   
4. Monetary Investment - DIY (see "Doing It Yourself") or hire a contractor (see "Choosing a Painter, Paperhanger (Wallpaper Installer) or Colour Consultant"). Base your decision on the value you will receive and never choose a contractor solely on price.
5. Experience and  Qualifications.  Licensed  professional painters have the equipment, know-how, and experience to ensure your job is done professionally and with long lasting results.