Statically speaking I think its safe to say that the majority of the population has most likely undertaken the task of interior painting at some point within their life.

The term interior painting can refer to several tasks that can be done within your property such as painting the walls, ceiling, floorboards, woodwork, cabinets and fixtures as well as certain aspects of furniture such as tables. Any or all of these tasks can completely refresh the look and feel of a room.

Interior painting can be done for numerous reasons such as updating the look of a room or restoring work that was already present there. It can help you create moods through different colours and effects as well as being a way of renovating your property.

In most cases involving interior painting the work is carried out by the individual themselves but without the correct practise and knowledge of how to effectively prepare the wall for painting this commonly seen as simple task can result in looking like a disaster. This is why there is the option of having your interior painting carried out by a professional. By enlisting the help of a professional to carry out your interior painting task you are left with the reassurance that your property will look its best and what ever aspect of your property was painted, i.e. your walls, they will have a high quality finish thanks to the correct preparation and the professional manner that they were treated with.

If you are planning on carrying out any interior painting it is highly recommended that you enlist the help of a professional if you want the job done properly. If your interior painting involves aspects such as painting the walls or ceiling of a property then if you don’t carefully prepare the surface first you could be left with visible dents and cracks, leaving your surface uneven and without that smooth finish. So what does this preparation involve? A professional contractor will wash and sand your walls down before filling in any dents or cracks so that your walls are completely smooth and level before putting any paint on. When your walls are smooth and you have chosen your paint colour a professional contractor will use the correct brushes or rollers required so that when your paint is applied it will be done so that you can’t see any strokes where the paint was applied, allowing it to dry with an even high quality finish.

Interior painting that is carried out by a professional contractor will be done in a quick timely manner, bringing results that are second to none. Not only will your interior painting results be more impressive but by hiring a painting contractor you will also be able to spend more of your time doing other projects; whether these are other aspects of property maintenance or something completely different.

Hiring a professional could be the difference between your interior painting looking the best or it looking worse than when you started.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/interior-painting-restoring-and-refreshing-337760.html

About the Author:

Helen is the web master of ARCH Building Solutions, specialists in Interior Painting

Please feel free to republish this article providing this resource box remains intact with a working hyperlink to our site.

French style painted furniture makes your shopping an enjoyable and easy experience. Such type of furniture brought together a variety of ranges that offer style, quality and value for money. There are a lot of choices of French style painted furniture in UK. You can select different types of French style painted furniture which is made up of different types of colors and materials. Today people are quite fond of French Bedroom furniture and French dining room furniture. Those who are exited about latest French style painted furniture can choose classical and stylish French bedroom and dining room furniture from our store. Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Thamesfurniture is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of quality furniture and furnishings. We offer wide range of home and garden furniture at discount prices. We sell French style painted furniture like French bedroom furniture and French dining room furniture.

French Style Bedroom Furniture

People think twice before purchasing any bedroom furniture. Stunning French bedroom furniture ensures that whichever side of the bed you get out of is the right choice. French bedroom furniture is made from solid hardwood with beautiful carved features and painted with light, dark furnished colors. We provide range of French bedroom furniture for you at one place. The range includes Amaryllis Bedroom Range, Antoinette Bedroom Range, and Josephine Range by Charlotte.

Amaryllis Bedroom Range- Amaryllis bedroom furniture is made mainly from carefully selected solid hardwoods. This stunning range of furniture undergoes such finishing process that gives a natural painted look. The furniture includes dressing stool, wall mirror, dressing mirror, floor standing mirror, kneehole dressing table and drawer bedside cabinet.

Antoinette Bedroom Range- A collection of Antoinette furniture adds luxury touch to your bedroom. You will be delighted with this elegant range of furniture. The furniture includes chair, dressing table, king size bed, wardrobe, bedside cabinet.

Josephine Range by Charlotte- Josephine furniture by Charlotte is an impressive and well painted range of French bedroom furniture. The furniture includes dressing chair, dressing mirror, dressing table, bedside cabinet, mirrored wardrobe, chest of drawers.

French Style Dining Room Furniture

Fabulous dining collection enhances your home décor whether an informal or formal dining room. French dining room furniture offers a beautiful range of hand crafted and painted items. French Dining room furniture adds a fresh touch to your kitchen nook. We stock a huge range of contemporary French dining room furniture. We provide those French dining room furniture ranges which are manufactured to the highest standards. The range includes Chantilly Dining Range and Deauville Dining Range.

Chantilly Dining Range- A superb dining range of French painted furniture is designed to create a unique antique with marvelous appearance. Chantilly furniture includes side table, upholstered chair, hall mirror, oval dining table, coffee table, display cabinet.

Deauville Dining Range- Every Deauville dining furniture range is fully assembled and due to the finishing process each unit is unique. Deauville furniture includes dining chair, nesting table, coffee table, upholstered dining chair, hall mirror, round pillar dining table

All these beautiful French style painted furniture items come in a variety of styles and colors with a distinct French influence. At our store, we are constantly adding more ranges of French style painted furniture. Choose from a range of French style painted furniture collections that cover both classic and modern styles. If you are looking for any type of French bedroom and dining room furniture, simply visit our site at thamesfurntiure.co.uk for a great choice.

IT ADDS color to rooms in our homes, schools, offices and factories. Automobiles and toys are made attractive by it. It protects buildings, farm machinery and tools from the wind, rain, and heat from the sun. Truly, that colorful coating, paint, is enjoying wider popularity than at any time in history.

Thousands of millions of dollars annually are spent for it; Canadians alone lay out almost 200 million dollars a year for paint. In Canada more than 150 paint plants produce this colorful coating. And in the United States over 635,000,000 gallons of paint are sold by manufacturers each year. That is enough paint to cover some 11,400 square miles, or an area almost the size of the Netherlands!

Thousands of Years of Use

The use of paint is not of recent origin. Ancient peoples, particularly the Egyptians, realized that certain pigments found in the soil could be mixed with a liquid and applied to their buildings. For example, colorful reds and yellows were obtained by mixing ochers with water.

Also, pigments were imported from other countries to supplement those found in the Egyptian soil. From the madder roots, which were imported from India, various shades of red, violet and brown were prepared. And from the indigo plant a deep blue color was produced.

Other civilizations were quick to copy the techniques of paint making developed by the Egyptians. Roman artists made use of the same colors and, with few exceptions, the same methods of producing them. However, after the fall of the Roman Empire of the West in 476 C.E. the art of making paints virtually disappeared.

It was near the end of the Middle Ages that the use of paint for decorative and protective purposes began its reemergence in England. At first paints were used chiefly on churches. Then they were used on public buildings and the houses of the wealthy. Since paint was expensive to produce, it was a mark of social distinction to have one’s dwelling painted.

It was not until the 1700’s that paint was made commercially by a few persons who went into the business in the United States and Europe. These early manufacturers produced only the materials for paint; the painter was required to do his own mixing and formulating. It was not until 1867 that prepared paints were first marketed. The development in the late 1800’s of new machines for grinding and mixing enabled paint manufacturers to turn out large volumes of paint, and soon paint making entered an era of rapid development.

The Ingredients

It is estimated now that most paint manufacturers carry an inventory of almost 1,000 different items. Perhaps as many as 500 of these are in daily use. Great strides have been made in the development of new paints. Indeed, not long ago a popular magazine observed: “Eighty-five percent of the paints on sale today didn’t even exist five years ago.” Yet, paint raw materials might be classified into four main groups:Pigments,vehicles,solvents or thinners and additives.

Pigments are the substances that give color and opacity to paint coatings. The ancients frequently used vegetable and animal matter to color their paints, but these are of little importance in paint making today. Still used, however, are earth pigments, called natural or mineral pigments. These are obtained from certain earths that are mined, finely ground and refined. But the most commonly used pigments today are chemical ones.

The vehicle is that part of the paint that carries the pigment. It may consist of oils or varnishes. Drying oils that are used in paint vehicles have the property of converting from a liquid to a solid state when exposed to the oxygen of the air. The paint vehicle thus dries and hardens when it contacts the air. The resulting hard film holds the pigment on the painted surface.

Perhaps the most common thinners for paint are either water or turpentine. These are added to thin the paint to the proper viscosity or thickness for easy spreading on a surface. Although thinners, too, might be considered part of the vehicle, they function somewhat differently in a paint. They begin to evaporate after application of the paint on a surface, leaving the film-forming material exposed for permanent drying.

Paint additives often include compounds of lead, manganese or cobalt. These accelerate the drying of the paint.

How Paint Is Made

Paint is basically a dispersion of colored pigments in a vehicle or liquid medium. The paint maker prepares a rather heavy paste by mixing together dry pigments and a portion of the vehicle. This process might be compared with what a housewife does when she mixes ingredients with her mechanical mixer, perhaps in preparing cake batter. In paint making the mixing cycle is continued until a fluid but somewhat lumpy paste is formed.

The next step requires what is known as grinding. A roller mill of steel cylinders that rotate against each other is frequently used for this. The purpose of the grinding is to pull the pigment particles apart so that each particle will be coated by the resinous vehicle. Another type of mill consists of a revolving drum partly filled with steel balls. By constantly revolving for many hours, the steel balls are able to disperse the pigment particles throughout the vehicle.

After the grinding process, the balance of the vehicle as well as the solvent thinners are added. Also, driers often are added at this time. But when the enclosed steel-ball mill is used, all ingredients generally are included from the beginning. Of course, with the development of water-base paints new types of equipment are used for dispersing pigments and liquids. Tinting of the batch comes next, adding just the proper amount of color to give the batch the exact shade desired. Finally, the paint is moved to automatic machines that fill, cover and code the containers.

The Colors to Use

Since all of us enjoy pleasant surroundings, it will be of interest to consider how you might add pleasantness to your home by employing that colorful coating—paint. Home decorators usually choose colors that will complement other articles in a room, such as those in furniture, rugs or draperies.

Light colors in a small room will create an impression of size, a point to remember when decorating apartments. A continuous flow of neutral tints through several rooms adds an air of spaciousness, inviting one to accent these tints with colorful rugs, cushions or pictures. Keep in mind, though, that an excessive number of colors in any one room can give a cluttered look.

Here are additional helpful hints: Tints of yellow, peach and rose are warm colors. They create a comfortable and mellow charm in rooms facing north and east. Greens and blues in their pastel tones are pages from the marvelous creation around us. One can just feel the cool, relaxing atmosphere imparted by these colors in rooms facing south and west. Rich, bright colors, such as reds and oranges, are exciting colors. But a word of caution. One might tire of them easily. They have a stimulating effect, often reflecting youthful personality or that of one who likes change. Therefore, they often can be suited to the bedrooms of children.

When choosing colors, remember that when a paint is spread over a large area it will appear darker than it does on a small color sample. Therefore, select a lighter shade and it will probably be the color you desire when it is applied to a wall. Also, since colors change under artificial light, it is wise to observe color samples both in daylight and in night light.

Selecting the Proper Coating

Paint is made in a number of finishes, ranging from a high gloss to a flat finish. Generally a low gloss or flat finish will give the most pleasing appearance on a large surface. Flat paints have a greater proportion of pigment to binder, hence they have a rougher finish that scatters the light in all directions. Thus, fewer surface irregularities will show when using a flat paint. However, flat finishes have the shortcoming of being more subject to soiling, and are more difficult to clean.

Thus, if frequent cleaning is necessary, as in a kitchen, bathroom, hallway, or in cupboards and on wood trim, it would be practical to apply a semigloss or highgloss paint. Semigloss would seem to be a compromise that will afford ease of cleaning and will not reflect too many surface imperfections.

In living rooms and bedrooms, a pleasing appearance often overshadows serviceability. Hence a home decorator might choose a flat finish. In the closets, though, where there might be a tendency to mark up the walls, a semigloss paint will make for easier cleaning and a brighter appearance. But since a flat paint has more hiding power and thus often requires but one coat, this is something to consider if time and cost are factors.

About the Author:

Visit my blog Business Marketing,And would you like to get Sexy Hollywood Artist Wallpaper?

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - That Colorful Coating Paint

Despite the current economic crisis that plunges the construction business ever downward, the “green building” trend is taking off. Even when new construction projects are in a decline, there is increasing interest in green building methods and materials. Building owners want to save on construction and post-construction costs and are becoming increasingly aware that once the building is operational, tremendous cost-savings will come in the form of lesser utility bills and maintenance costs. As a result of this mindset, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) estimates an average return on investment of 20% on green buildings.

For building owners and occupants, cost is not the only advantage of a green building. Increased health and safety is also a major benefit. The reduction of natural resources consumption needed to operate the building, as well as the lesser amount of pollution that the building is giving off, are also important aspects in sustainability.

For commercial painting contractors, the demand for greener buildings cascades down to the demand for greener paints and coatings, raising the need for paint and coating products that are not only providing beauty and protection, but also help create an environmentally- safe environment.

In response to the growing demand for environmentally-safe building products, paint manufacturers have been redesigning their existing paint formulations and developing new paints that are eco-friendly and compliant to environment standards and regulations. Even raw material providers have been teaming up with paint makers to further advance the “green” paint technology.

A Forest of Green Paints

One product of the “green” trend is a latex paint reformulation that removes toxic solvents in the manufacturing process, releasing zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxins to the environment. Another advancement in paint is a water-repellent exterior coating that prevents dirt particles from adhering to the painted surface, making cleaning and re-coating projects easier and more economical.

Raw material paint suppliers have also joined the green initiative by enhancing the properties of emulsion polymers to allow the production of low-VOC, low-odor, APE-free, UV-resistant paints without the need for harmful coalescent agents. Another breakthrough in coating enhancement speeds up paint application time and reduces wastage, thereby lessening serious health risks to commercial painting contractors. Yet another is the development of IR reflective pigments that reduce heat transfer in surfaces, resulting to heating and cooling cost reductions.

Green Construction Certifications

Dictated largely by the growing awareness of consumers over eco-friendly buildings and materials, the momentum is encouraging commercial painting contractors towards qualification tests and certifications that ensure their compliance to environment-safety standards.

Currently, the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings systems is the most popular basis for defining the standards of a “green building”. LEED looks at various factors such as energy and water usage of a building, the source and quality of building materials used in construction, as well as the overall quality of the building environment.

The LEED system allows point earnings for green and sustainable projects, be they new or existing constructions, or commercial or residential in nature. Since 1990, LEED has rated nearly 3.9 billion square feet of commercial property or 7% of the commercial construction market, and the figures are still increasing. For residential projects, LEED has certified around 1,000 properties out of 13,000 that have been registered so far, according to USGBC figures.

LEED also has a specific rating system for paints and coatings, the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.2, that focuses on reducing VOCs in architectural paints, coatings and primers. The goal of the rating system for paints is to accredit high-performance paints that have low-emission capabilities, leaving as little environment damage as possible.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ask-an-expert-articles/the-role-of-paint-and-coatings-in-a-green-building-832647.html

About the Author:

Steve A. Parker, Sr. Estimator, RaiderPainting.com - the preferred painting contractor for building owners and facility managers of commercial and industrial properties nationwide. Call 877-724.3371 for a free
Estimate.
And check out the Raider Painting
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Miniature Painting

The style of miniature painting is believed to be developed in western India during the 16th to 18th century. Most of the miniature paintings were part of manuscripts written at that time to illustrate and explain the subjects of the manuscripts. Prime examples are the Rajasthani & Mughal miniatures. Prime examples are some Jain manusripts, Rajasthani & Mughal miniatures. Though this style had been perfected by artisans under the various rules, not many remain today.

Madhubani Painting

The origins of Madhubani painting are shrouded in antiquity and interesting to know that many believe that this style of painting originated at the time of the Ramayana, when King Janak commissioned artists to do paintings at the time of marriage of his daughter, Sita, with Sri Rama who is considered to be an incarnation of the Hindu God Lord Vishnu. Madhubani painting is a style of uttradi mutt painting, mostly practiced in the Mithila region of Bihar, India.

Rajasthani Painting

Originated in Rajasthan state of India, Rajasthani Painting flourished during the 18th century in the royal courts of Rajputana, India. Each Rajput kingdom evolved a distinct style, but the basic feel remained the same. Several events of epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Krishna’s life, beautiful landscapes, and humans attracted the painters of this style as these became themes of their paintings. It is said that the preparation of desired colours was a lengthy process, sometimes taking weeks. The colours were extracted from minerals, plants, conch shells, and were even derived by processing precious stones, gold and silver.

Mughal Painting

Mughal paintings were a unique blend of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles. In order to keep visual record of major events during their rule, Mughal Emprerors used to take artists along on military or hunting expeditions, who would depict their royal deeds in form of art.

Mysore Painting

Mysore painting, an important form of classical South Indian painting, originated in the town of Mysore in Karnataka. Known for their elegance, muted colours, and attention to detail, the themes for most of these paintings are Hindu Gods and Goddesses and scenes from Hindu mythology. In modern times, these paintings are exchanged as souvenir during festive occasions in South India.

Tanjore Painting

Native to the town of Tanjore in Tamil Nadu, India, Tanjore painting is an important form of classical South Indian painting. The art form dates back to the early 9th century, a period dominated by the Chola rulers, who encouraged art and literature. The themes of these paintings are mostly Hindu gods and goddesses, and saints as well. Episodes from Hindu tradition and mythology are drawn upon as elaboration to the chief figure(s) placed in the central section of the picture. After the painting is completed, decoration of the jewellery and the apparels in the image is done with semi-precious stones, laces or threads. On top of this, the gold foils are pasted. As a final touch, dyes are used to add colors to the figures in the paintings.

The Bengal School of Art

The Bengal School of Art was an influential style of art that flourished in India during the British Raj in the early 20th century. Though associated with Indian nationalism, the style was also promoted and supported by many British art administrators. The Bengal school arose as an avant garde and nationalist movement reacting against the academic art styles previously promoted in India, both by Indian artists such as Ravi Varma and in British art schools.

Modern Indian Painting

During the colonial era, some artists in India developed a style that used Western ideas of composition, perspective and realism to illustrate Indian themes while others like Jamini Roy, consciously drew inspiration from folk art. By the time of Independence in 1947, many schools of art in India started providing access to modern techniques and ideas. Art Galleries were established to showcase the work of these artists. Modern Indian art typically shows the influence of Western styles, but is often inspired by Indian themes and images.

Source: http://www.mysticstrokes.com

About the Author:

Amardeep Yadav

writing for www.techmagnate.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Various Styles of Indian Paintings

Home Improvement 101 - Painting Tips

How To Paint Home Painting Tips

Color is used to influence how the size of the room feels

The desired Effect

Your Color Choice

Expand space? Use cool, light, or dull colors; minimal contrasts

Shrink space? Include warm, dark, or bright colors; maximum contrasts

Lower ceiling? Try warm colors and dark tones

Raise ceiling? Use cool colors and light tints

Shorten room? Best to use warm or dark colors

Lengthen room? Cool, light, or dull colors; limited contrasts

Hide an undesirable feature? Surrounding color

Tip: Prime Mistake With 5 coats of paint on the wall a person asked his paint supply store why he couldn’t cover the stains on the wall. ” Did you prime” he was asked? “Yes - I used some leftover latex from the garage”. It was explained that latex paint isn’t primer. Primer provides bonding and stain blocking. Paint provides durability and color. Both are needed for a good job. Original “Kiltz” primer dries quickly and has been found to be one of the most stain blockers. Stain Blockers absorb instead of covering up the stain - so be sure the primer is completely dry to prevent bleed through.

Tip: Don’t like the Dust from sanding drywall Mud? Use a drywall wet-sander (Sponge with abrasive on one side) . With a damp sponge - use the coarse side for sanding and the fine side for smoothing. Wood Window painted shut? Try applying the paint to the window and the sash in separate processes. It is recommended to remove the sash when possible. Use a utility knife or sash knife to cut the paint before opening the window.

Tip: Break Time? Place Brush or roller in a plastic bag.

Break Time overnight? Double Bag and place in your refrigerator.

Tip: Painting a large area like a entire home? Sprayer Rentals are available for minimal $.

Tip: Paint Roller extension handle. It extends and is adjustable.

Brushes and Rollers

Selecting the right brushes and rollers is a crucial step in making your paint jobs look better while helping you to do your work more easily and efficiently.

Brushes : So many sizes and styles - How Do I Choose?

Like anything in life knowledge is they key. If you are like myself this might seem like too much information. However - It is the little things that make the work go smoothly. Much of what has been learned here has been learned the hard way. I will try to share with you what has been learned from my mistakes along with tips from painters and the help of Sherwin-williams.

A paint brush is an ideal choice when painting trim, corners and small areas. Also, a specialty paint brush should be used for projects like painting furniture, decks and railings.

When selecting a brush, you will want to consider the following :

Bristle Type -

Nylon and polyester bristle: These synthetic materials are designed to hold their shape with todays popular latex paints. A good quality nylon and polyester blended brush is the best choice for all latex paints and coatings. Many painters prefer a synthetic brush for oil coatings as well.

Natural China bristle:High-quality natural China bristle brushes have qualities that control oil-based coatings for better flow and leveling for the smoothest finish. A natural China bristle brush is the best choice for oil-based paints, stains and varnishes

Brush Styles:

Angle sash: Bristles are precisely trimmed at an angle that allows painters to hold the brush more comfortably while painting trim and corners. Brush ends are rounded for a smooth , gradual paint stroke.

Trim:

Trim brushes have a straight cut-line and are also used for painting trim and corners. They can also be used for larger areas. Some painters prefer a straight edge versus an angled cut. Trim brushes also have rounded ends.

Wall: A wall brush is a larger brush with a straight cut-line. It is better used for larger areas like walls or side paneling. A wall brush has square ends.

Brush Size : Personal preference is always a factor in choosing a brush width, but a good rule of thumb is For small spaces, tight trim areas, touch-ups and detail work 2 1/2 to 3 inches: For any trim and corner work 4 to 5 inches: For larger areas like walls or side paneling a roller may come in handy or use a good Brush Quality.

You made it this far! You are incredible! Thanks for reading - really hope this helps.

Better brushes bring better results.

High Production Brushes: These brushes are recommended for painters looking for superior paint pick-up and release. High Production brushes deliver great results in less time. They pick-up and release more than 25 percent more paint than any other brush on the market. High Production brushes are available in a nylon/polyester blend for latex coatings and in a white China/polyester blend for oil-based coatings.

Nylon/Polyester and 100% Nylon Brushes:

A specific blend of nylon and polyester filaments make this brush a fine finishing tool that is very durable and easy to clean. The white nylon tips are precisely flagged and tapered for a sharp cut-line. These characteristics have made this line the most popular choice for latex paints for the past 15 years. Although nylon is a soft material, it is also the strongest and most expensive material in a paint brush. 100 percent nylon brushes offer extreme durability, even when used on rough or abrasive surfaces. 100 percent nylon brushes are finished using several hand-trimming steps to create a superior cut-in paint brush.

Black and White China Bristle Brushes:

By nature, Black China bristle is stronger and thicker coarse hair, which makes it the perfect bristle to use with oil-based paints and epoxies. The highest quality Black China bristles available are used in the Contractor Series line. White China bristle, by contrast, is soft and thin. A white China bristle brush is the perfect tool for stain, varnishes, polyurethanes and clear coatings. It lays these topcoats on with a glass-smooth finish. White China bristle brushes are suitable for oil-based paints if a softer flex tool is desired.

Black China / Ox Hair Blend Brushes: Ox hair is extremely fine and soft, creating an exceptional tool for fine finish work.

Roller Covers: Rollers help you paint large, flat surfaces in much less time than a brush. They are also excellent for use on all walls, stucco, concrete or any other flat surface.

Here are some options to consider when purchasing a roller cover:

Roller Cover Materials:

Nylon/polyester:

Synthetic roller covers are ideal for applying latex paints, They resist matting and hold their shape for a smooth finish.

Natural fiber covers: Roller covers that are made from natural fiber include mohair and lambs wool. They are ideal for oil-based coatings.

Blended covers: Roller covers made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers are excellent multipurpose covers and can be used with all paints.

Roller Length: Standard roller length is nine inches.

For smaller areas, a four-inch or seven-inch roller cover. Larger area - walls & floors, 14-inch & 18-inch rollers may increase productivity.

Pile Depth : Roller covers vary in nap length.

The nap is determined by the SuRfaCe TeXtUrE to be painted.

1/4-inch, 3/16-inch: For very smooth surfaces like metal doors and plaster. 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch: For smooth and semi-smooth surfaces like drywall. 3/4-inch: For semi-rough surfaces like wood or a textured ceiling. 1-inch, 1 1/4-inch: For rough surfaces like stucco or a heavily textured ceiling. 1 1/2-inch: For extremely rough surfaces like concrete block.

Roller Quality As with brushes, the initial extra investment in higher quality rollers and covers will pay off in the final look and ease of application. Lesser quality roller covers may leave streaks or nap fibers on the painted surface.

Polyester Knit: Specially formulated for today is latex coatings. The highly crimped fibers offer the best protection against matting. Soft Woven: Rivals polyester knit in popularity. Recommended for both latex and oil coatings, they do a fine job with gloss and semi-glass coatings. Wool/Polyester Knit: Fifty percent of the roller cover fiber is natural wool, which allows for greater paint pick up and delivery. Fifty percent is polyester, which helps the roller keep its shape during prolonged use. The blend results in an excellent balance of productivity and low matting. Merino Sheepskin: Pick up and release more paint than any other roller cover. Many painters use Merino Sheepskin exclusively for any type of coating, claiming it lasts a long time with proper care. Mohair: Features a blend of soft natural angora mohair with synthetic fibers to produce the smoothest finish possible with a roller cover. Recommended for use with gloss and high gloss coatings. Brushes & Rollers Portions of above material was edited material from Paint Supplier http://www.sherwin-williams.com/

Tip: Painting Straight Lines is one of the hardest things to master. A Painting Edger may be used. When this edger is used two problems often occur. Bumps of Ceiling Texture are hit making a crooked line or paint gets on the edge of the roller. To prevent both of these problems place a painters metal shield or a straight trowel with tape over the edge against the ceiling. Your roller now rolls freely and if paint was on the roller it will go onto your trowel instead of the ceiling! (Stiff Paper or thin cardboard may substitute the trowel)

Tip 2: Using tape instead of the above method. Place the tape down the wall one eighth of an inch. When the tape is removed it will look like a caulk line and will not be noticed! If the paint is on the ceiling however It stands out! Remember to remove the tape immediately. Painter Friendly Tape is very deceitful. Seven Day tape should really stay on Seven minutes. One day is the max for any tape.

There are periods when to dare, is the highest wisdom. William Ellery Channing

By all means, do not say, If I can; Say, I will. Abraham Lincoln

You may wear out, but never give up.

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Your patience is appreciated as this information has been updated from other locations and pictures were deleted in the process ,etc. This Note of apology is especially to writers (Well, my brother anyway will have something to say ! ) about my editing errors.

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Home Improvement 101 - Painting Tips

About the Author:

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First, it is always a good idea to plan out how you would like the end results to look when planning a paint job. You may also save yourself a lot of headaches if you plan ahead. By repainting a room, your are adding character as well as a new coat of paint so there are certain things to keep in mind when painting. If you want to repaint a smaller room you will want to use lighter colors as darker colors will make the room look smaller unless that is the look you are going for. Same with a larger size room, darker colors will make the room look as though it is smaller than what it really is.

Also remember that paints come in different finishes and the finish you choose will greatly affect how the room is going to look. Paint finishes come in flat which doesn’t have a shine, egg shell, which is slightly shinier, semi gloss which is shinier yet and then gloss which is very shinny. Using paint with a shinier finish will be much easier to keep clean. A semi gloss to a gloss finish would be best for rooms that are lived in quite a bit like the living room and kitchen or for kids rooms.

You should always sand down your walls before painting to smooth them out. If you have never done this before you may think it is just a waste of time and want to get right to painting. However, you really should continue to read this article before you go running off to paint that room. You will make certain that your paint job job will look smooth and free of rough spots by sanding down the walls before painting. Sanding the walls before you begin to paint will give them a nice smooth finish.

Your next step would be to prime the walls after they have been sanded down and dusted off of all the sanding particles. Many people decide to skip this step in order to save them time and money but it is important to do this just like it is sanding because the results will show when you are finished. Your paint job will look so much better if the walls were primed before the painting was done. Primers start out white but you can ask the person at the desk in the paint center to change the color for you based on the color you plan to use for the room.

Once you have the walls primed, you can begin painting by cutting in the ceiling. By this I mean you will want to outline the area in which you are going to paint with a border of the paint you are using. To do this you will need a chiseled paintbrush that is about two to three inches. A chiseled brush is not the same as a regular brush because it is not cut straight instead the bristles on one side of the brush are longer than those on the other side of the brush. Make about a three inch border around the area you want to paint.

Now would be the best time to begin painting the ceiling. To begin painting you will need to use a painting tray or have a 5 gallon bucket. It will be easier to use a paint tray rather than a bucket when painting a smaller room or area. The bucket is best when you are painting a large area. If you are using the tray just add a bit of paint to the deeper side and dip your roller into it. After dipping your roller into the paint you will want to roll it against the slanted side of the tray, if you are using a bucket make sure you have a paint screen to roll the roller on to remove the excess paint from the roller. You want your roller to be completely saturated with paint but not to the point where it is dripping.

After completing the ceiling you can paint the walls. You want to start with cutting in the edges of the walls just like you did for the ceiling. Then one at a time just fill in the open areas. Once the ceiling and walls are complete you will want to take care of the doors and the woodwork. Start by applying painter tape around the area you are going to paint, this will allow you to make straight lines and keep the paint off your newly painted walls and ceiling. Then just apply the paint lightly with long brush strokes.

By following the steps that I have outlined here the job may make take you somewhat longer, but I guarantee that you will be much more satisfied with the result. Have fun and let me know how it turned out.
About the Author:

Scott Becker has been an online and off line handyman for over 15 years. He has always had a knack for home improvements and repairs. Visit his blog and learn the secrets to home improvements at http://youronlinehandyman.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Learn How to Paint Like a Master

A toxic home results from a combination of synthetic paints, toxic emissions from furniture and carpets and poor air quality. The effect of these toxic elements leads to higher incidents of sickness, allergies, headaches and lung disorders.With the current mainstream use of synthetic petrochemical paint coverings, studies have shown that indoor environments tend to be up to ten times more polluted than external environments. And yet, we spend on average 80% of our time inside buildings! To reduce the risk of fostering a toxic environment in your home, consider the benefits of natural paints and finishes.

The main ingredient in most natural paints is linseed oil. The oil is a natural derivative from linseed and is then blended together with other natural oils, resins and pigments. Linseed oil is a long lasting alternative to plastic binders used in synthetic paints. Surprisingly this is all based on an ancient recipe! Yes, linseed was used in paint making for centuries. What has changed is that there is now a highly developed, modern natural paint industry that ensures excellent painting properties from natural paints.

The main point to consider is that natural paints contain far less chemical substances than synthetic paints. They do not contribute to a toxic environment in your home as synthetic paints do. But there are other aspects of natural paint that are impressive.

Natural vs. Synthetic

Natural paints tend to be superior in terms of reduced paint flaking. One of the main causes of paint flaking is blistering caused by expanding moisture trapped beneath a paint’s skin. Microporous natural paints are waterproof, but continue to allow moisture to pass through them. They breathe with the walls much better than synthetic paints.

Natural paints unlike synthetic paints do not use plastic binders. Plastic based binders, when statically charged, attract dust to their surface. Natural paints do not attract dust in such a way and so help reduce dust levels in your home.

Although natural based paints require longer drying times than most synthetic paints there is good reason for it, and good result. Linseed oil based paints do not fully harden for years with the advantage of greater flexibility. The paint will expand and contract with atmospheric changes, reducing the risk of cracking. Also with the excellent leveling properties of linseed oil, the result will be a smooth enamel, free from brush marks. Well worth the wait!

The oils and resins used in natural paints are the same oils that trees and plants use to nourish and protect themselves. They penetrate deep within the timber fibers giving long lasting, deep protection.

Also, natural paints and finishes are biodegradable and the manufacturing process involves minimal energy, waste and pollution.

Different brands of natural paints will differ in terms of the specific ingredients and those ingredient’s particular properties and benefits. If you have particular allergy sufferers in your home be sure to cross reference with the paint’s ingredients. In most cases you will find the natural ingredients in natural paint to be a great alternative to the synthetic solvents and chemicals in other paints.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/the-benefits-of-natural-paints-and-finishes-for-your-home-296730.html

About the Author:

Written by award-winning REALTOR®, Eric Badgley, specializing in Bellingham WA real estate. If you’re looking for Bellingham downtown real estate, visit Eric at www.Bellingham-RealEstate.net.

Home painting is not everyone’s cup of tea. But all of us should give it a try because it gives immense pleasure while doing so. Here are some useful tips that would help you give your walls a proper finish.

Do the preparation

• The very first thing you need to do is to wash down all the walls, which you want to paint. You can take the help of a pressure washer. It can be taken on rent from any store. After completing the washing process, take a scraper and remove all the chipped areas and loose paintings. No need to scrap the whole wall. But the uneven areas need to scraped as they create problems while painting.
• Next thing to do is to calculate the area of the wall by square footage so that you can determine the amount of paint required. Buy paint in 5-gallon pails, rather than gallons to save more money.

Collect your tools

• You will need painting brushes and rollers during painting. What type and how many brushes you need can be best decided by consulting your local paint store. For oil based paints, you can opt for natural or synthetic bristles, while you can use synthetic bristles with latex paint. The same rule applies while selecting rollers.
• Don’t forget to purchase some painter’s tape. It is a blue tape that comes in different widths and can be easily removed without messing up your paint job.

Precautions before applying

• Don’t start painting out of the paint cans. Because during painting it will remain open and come in contact with air, that would dry it out, thus making the paint difficult to apply. Also the brush or roller will take foreign particles like dirt into the paint that will enter your paint and can change the color as you go long.
• Painting should be started from the edge of the wall and move towards the middle. Most of us do just opposite and face problems. If you start painting with a new can of paint in the middle of the wall, then there are chances of differences in the color and that will look more prominent in the middle of the wall. Therefore with each new can of paint, start painting from the edges.
• Before starting painting, dip you roller in water for latex paints and in solvent for oil based paints. Either you use a pan or a 5-gallon bucket, roll it out a little to make sure it isn’t dripping. You don’t need to go all the way from the top to the bottom as you paint.

How you should apply?

• It is good to apply the paint in a N or Y pattern. Then apply in columns up and down smoothing out all the edges or ridges. Don’t try to stretch the paint, and make sure you have enough amount of paint on the paint roller to give it a good coat. In case of applying more than one coat, the first coat should be completely dry before applying a new coat of paint.
• It is always difficult to paint the corners. If you are careless you light see paint dripping from corners later. Get close to the corners but but don’t scrape the roller against the corner. It will cause drips. Always keep a paintbrush ready for taking care of any drips or ridges you leave behind. It is better to do this rather than trying to fix it later.

About the Author:

I am a product analyst for b2b industry. My core profile is to understand industry, develop information architecture and plan the product. Developed many B2b verticals. My core interest is research and analyse industry trends, latest updates in market, industry product information. Based on my experience i have studied harwdare product industry and my interest is to share that information and develop network for harwdare industry so that business manufaturers, suppliers, traders can benefit from this resource.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Home Painting Ideas for DIY Enthusiasts

Making our dwellings gorgeous is nothing new. Humans have been decorating their homes for millennia. From the Australian Aborigines painting ochre onto cave walls over 40,000 years ago to the almost modern Egyptian pyramids of only 4,500 years ago we all have an innate desire to express ourselves and make our surroundings part of that expression.

But we have always paid a price for this activity. Paints have always contained poisons and toxins that not only pollute the environment but the air within a home. Early paints famously contained lead, which had a sweet flavor tempting for kids to ingest. We all know the horrible affects of these paints that caused problems with developing nervous systems in children and kidney damage, mood changes, memory and high blood pressure in adults.

The ingredients used to make paint can be broken down into four areas — pigments, solvents, binders and other additives. Color comes from the pigment while the solvent and binder provide the pigment with a base and helps the paint stick to a surface. The remaining additives are used to help the paint dry and prevent mildew from forming.

The solvents and pigments contain toxins, which not only pollute the environment but also, if improperly disposed of in a landfill, can contaminate the surrounding earth for decades. The solvents and pigments also contain volatile organic compounds that we know create smog and pollution in the environment, but can also have very harmful affects on the internal air quality of a home.

Recent government rulings have not only put in to practice some controls on the toxins and VOCs in paints, but has also drawn attention to this scary situation. The response has been for many paint companies to produce eco friendly paints that either contain low or zero VOCs. It should be considered though that the majority of paint companies that create these non toxic paints also manufacture and market toxic and high voc paints — so when you are looking to paint green you may think about who you are supporting with your dollars.

There are a handful of companies that do not have these legacy issues, and only create eco friendly paint. These non toxic paints range from completely organic ‘milk paints’ which are totally safe but lack in durability, to high-performance latex based paints that simply lack VOCs and all toxins.

The newest and most modern eco friendly paints can come in any color and, although a little more expensive, have very low odor and zero VOCs. These paints are created in a completely new way, which means that they have all the durability of toxic paints, but without any of the toxins and VOCs. When looking to buy these paints you need to read their labels very carefully. The first thing to notice is if they carry a government warning label. If they do, then they are not completely safe and may contain some VOCs or toxins. Those paints with no warning label and state that they are zero voc paints as opposed to low voc are the best. These can often be found at independent hardware stores nationwide and can be researched online. Beware though, that although some paints may carry ’seals’ these don’t always mean that they are completely free of VOCs and/or toxins so it is best to always rely on your own investigation and read the label.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-paint-green-with-ecofriendly-non-toxic-paints-640669.html

About the Author:

Delilah Jones is a mother with a passion for zero VOC paint and its impact to consumer safety. She is also interested in how a 100 percent non toxic paint and people safe paint can correlate for baby and pregnant women.