Adding an accent wall to your favorite room is a great way to give your home’s design a lift without spending too much on new décor. But before buying new paint, it’s best to understand the best accent wall colors and what walls will work best as an accent wall.

Tips for Choosing the Right Accent Wall

Not every wall in a room is the best choice for an accent wall — a good accent wall rule of thumb is choosing a wall that your eye is naturally drawn to. Walls with architectural elements or where a prominent piece of furniture is displayed are ideal as accent walls so you can highlight those design features.

Accent walls are ideally solid and not broken up with windows or doors. While it may seem like a great idea to highlight beautiful doors or a great view, the accent wall will actually distract from those elements. And by placing an accent color on a wall with a window, you’ll actually find the light darkens the color and room during the day. If you’ve got a long, awkwardly shaped room, accent walls are a great solution to make the room seem less oblong — try painting the short wall at the end of the room to make the space seem smaller and more connected.

Understanding Color Basics

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect accent wall to paint, which color is best for the space? If you’re unsure if you want a different color than the existing walls, a subtle accent wall solution is choosing a paint color two shades darker than what you currently have. If you’re looking for a bolder pop of color, then understanding color basics will ensure you maintain harmony in your space. There are three color schemes to consider when painting — monochromatic, analogous and complementary.

Monochromatic: This scheme uses shades of the same color, which will create a lively and simply elegant design. Monochromatic colors create a visually interesting and coherent style.

Analogous: These colors are next to each other on the color wheel, like green and blue or orange and red. Like monochromatic schemes, analogous choices are a simple but add a bit more dynamism in the room by creating a focal pop.

Complementary: The most bold of the schemes, complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel — purple and yellow, red and green and blue and orange. These color combinations are energetic, and the most successful method to incorporate these contrasting colors is to pair warm and cool tones.

By keeping these color combinations in mind, you can successfully choose a color for your accent wall that compliments your existing furnishings and décor.

Best Accent Wall Colors

Consider your room’s purpose before selecting a color — do you want to feel relaxed or have a lively space that stimulates thought or conversation? Browns, greens and neutrals are great for a relaxing and natural-feeling space, while bold colors like reds and yellows will insert a burst of energy in the room.

Another detail to consider before painting is how this wall will easily incorporate and create harmony throughout the other spaces in your home. There are seven colors in the paint spectrum, and most colors are composed using the other colors. An easy way to connect rooms is by carrying elements from one room to the next — choose a color blended with several colors you’ve already incorporated as an easy solution to achieve flow.

Why Trust a Professional Painter?

Why should you hire a professional painter when you can buy paint at your local hardware store? By hiring a professional, you’ll experience the following perks:

• Expertise
• Professional tools and equipment
• Presentation — no streaks or drips
• Time-saving

Spruce up Your Home With Ottawa Painting Contractors

If you’re in the Ottawa area and looking to update your space, trust the experts at Painters Ottawa for accent wall painting. We offer free project estimates, Complete our online form to schedule a consultation or give us a call today at (613) 699-5668 .

Is it time to enhance your space with a fresh coat of paint? If it’s been a while since you painted your home, this is the perfect way to brighten, enliven and update your rooms.

Homeowners typically dive into a painting project for one of several reasons.

They are building a new addition.
They are updating a current room.
They are changing how they use a space.
They are tired of the old decor.
They are putting the house on the market.
They are moving into a new home where the previous owner had different tastes.

Other times, rooms need a fresh coat of paint due to wear and tear. Experts recommend repainting every few years to keep things looking sharp. Of course, some areas of the home suffer worse wear than others. Cleaning professionals suggest the following repainting timeline for each area of the home:

Hallways: Every two to three years

Bedrooms: Every two to three years for kids’ bedrooms, less frequently for adult bedrooms

Living and dining rooms: Every five to seven years

Kitchens and bathrooms: Every three to four years

It’s important to keep in mind that the financial cost is not your only investment. A painting project costs both time and money. You’ll be spending time selecting colors, prepping the space and, of course, painting the room. Once the walls, ceiling and trim are complete, you will spend additional time on cleanup. For professional painters, this process may be fairly quick. However, even the most experienced painters must follow these same steps, and, for many DIYers, the project is much more difficult and time-consuming.

With this investment in mind, it’s easy to see how important it is to select the proper paint for the project. Choosing quality paint will make all the difference in the world to your painting experience and the final results. We’ll cover the specifics of this below. However, before you can fully understand this, you must know a few things about paint in general and what differentiates high-quality paint from low-quality paint.

What Is Paint?

To get a good grasp on what makes quality paint, you must first know what makes paint, period. What ingredients make paint? The answer to this question has changed quite a bit over the years.

Decorating with paint is not a new idea. Cave dwellers used a combination of dirt, soot and animal fat to spruce up their rock walls. Ancient Egyptians mixed dirt, oil, fat, animal blood, stones and glass to create paint. Fast-forward to the 1200s, and we find painters’ guilds forming and professionals starting to standardize the craft. By the 1600s, house paint had become a common product, typically made with an oil or water base.

Two hundred years later, a couple of paint manufacturers revolutionized the industry. Sherwin-Williams opened in 1866 and soon after released the first ready-to-use paint and introduced the resealable tin can. Benjamin Moore established its line not long after. A shortage of oil during WWII transformed paint once again. Alkyds, or artificial resins, replaced oil as the most common paint base. Today, house paint is mostly acrylic, or water-based.

After extensive research during the first two-thirds of the 20th century, Benjamin Moore introduced its computerized color-matching system in 1982.

After all these changes, painters today can enjoy a standard recipe for paint that is safe and simple to use. Modern paint is made of:

Solvents are the liquid used to suspend the other ingredients in the paint. The solvent allows painters to spread the product evenly, then evaporates after application.

Pigments are what give the paint its color.

Resins bind pigments together to establish the final product.

Low-quality paint is diluted with a higher concentration of solvents and includes large pigment particles. In contrast, high-quality paint offers a greater concentration of fine pigments and high-grade resins. This combination gives the product a more durable finish and creates a more even color application. As you shop for paint products, keep these ratios in mind. Look for manufacturers that offer quality pigmentation and resins.

If the paint is mostly solvent, it offers very little to the painter other than frustration and disappointment. If a paint costs a bit more, this usually indicates it is made up of quality materials that will result in a better experience and more attractive finish.

What Goes Into a Painting Project?

To produce a quality paint job, you must select quality paint. However, a lot more than paint goes into a painting project. As you prepare to paint, you must gather a full range of supplies you will need to complete the project.

Primer: Many surfaces require a primer before quality paint can be applied. The primer prepares the surface by creating a smooth, even wall. It smooths cracks, covers blemishes and prevents the paint from getting absorbed into the surface. It also helps cover dark colors currently on the wall to reduce the number of coats of paint needed to finish the project. Various primers are available, depending on what you need to cover or what type of surface you are painting.

Paintbrushes: A plethora of brushes are available in all sizes, shapes and qualities. As with paint, selecting a quality brush can make a significant difference in the ease of your project and the final results. You’ll need at least one quality brush for edging. This task is necessary to blend the corners and edges of the space with the rest of the painted area. A quality brush will allow you to quickly reach these spaces and achieve a nicely blended finish.

Rollers: For larger areas, rollers are the best tool to use. Again, quality is important. Cheap rollers may take paint back off the wall as you roll, and they also may shed onto the paint. Choose a high-quality roller that is designed for the surface and type of paint you will be using.

Tape: Painters’ tape is useful for blocking off any surfaces you don’t want to paint. Use this for wall edges, trim, window and door frames or any other areas where you might accidentally spread paint if they are not protected. The tape is designed to be removed easily without leaving residue behind on the surface.

Dropcloths: Even the neatest painters need dropcloths. Use these to cover floors, furniture, counters or other surfaces below the area being painted. They also provide a safe surface to put paint cans, wet brushes or other dirty items you will use during your painting project.

Trays: Paint trays hold the paint in a way that allows you to easily apply it to your rollers or brushes. This method also protects the rest of the paint still in the can from being contaminated with a dirty brush or roller.

After you purchase all these necessary supplies, you want to spend as little as possible on paint, right? This might be tempting, but it’s not worth the savings. The right paint is the final and most important ingredient to a successful painting project. Because of this, it’s important to set your budget based on the cost of the paint. If you need to skimp somewhere, buy disposable dropcloths or medium-grade brushes and rollers, instead of top-grade. As you establish your project costs, consider what you can expect to spend on quality paint and make adjustments from there.

Is Quality Paint Worth the Price?

Quality paint is more expensive than other paint. It’s important to keep in mind the old saying: You get what you pay for. Cheaper paints won’t deliver the same quality as more expensive paints. You won’t achieve the same even coverage with cheaper paints, and you will have to apply more coats of the product. The cheaper the paint, the more coats you’ll need. The final result is little to no savings at all. Why? You have to buy twice as many cans of paint and spend twice as long applying them. Remember, your time is worth something, too.

What Makes Quality Paint Worth the Price?

Why is some paint so expensive? If you aren’t familiar with the paint industry, you may suffer sticker shock as you first begin pricing the products. However, you must remember the many advantages quality paint offers. With these in mind, the prices seem more reasonable. The benefits make the extra cost well worth the initial investment. Here are some of the advantages of using higher-quality paint:

Even coverage — Cheaper paints skimp on essential materials. As a result, you can’t get the same even coverage from these products. Quality paint is designed to provide even coverage in as few coats as possible. This thick, even coverage is just not possible with cheap paint.

Fewer coats — Most painting projects require one or two coats of quality paint to provide a nice, even finish. If you use cheaper paint, the number of coats required can soar into the double digits. This is especially likely if you are attempting to cover a dark color with your new paint. To avoid multiple coats of paint, use a quality product that can cover the surface with one or two coats.

Time savings— Using low-quality, cheap paint takes more time. As mentioned, you will probably have to apply additional coats of paint. Not only will this require more time for painting, you also have to wait for the paint to dry between coats. A simple paint job you could finish in a day with quality paint might take more than a week to complete with cheap paint, due to drying times.

Cost savings — With a higher price point, financial savings may not seem like a benefit of quality paint. Once you factor in the other benefits, this savings becomes clearer. Consider how many cans of paint you must purchase for the project. If a cheap paint requires several additional coats, you have to buy twice as much paint. Even if the initial cost of a can is half that of a quality can of paint, you end up spending just as much, if not more, on the cheap paint.

Durability — Quality paints offer staying power. Unless you enjoy painting, you probably want to paint as infrequently as possible. Cheaper paint is less durable and fades faster, which makes it more likely you’ll need to repaint again sooner. Quality paint, on the other hand, resists stains, scratches and fading. It offers a durable finish that better withstands daily wear and tear.

Simplicity — If you’ve worked with both quality paint and cheap paint, you know there is a difference. Quality paint is easier to apply. By using more expensive paint, you’ll enjoy a simpler process with fewer frustrations and headaches. Cheap paint often drips, coagulates, spreads unevenly and offers poor coverage. It can be as frustrating as trying to use a flat screwdriver in a Phillips fastener. It’s amazing how much more smoothly a project can go with the right tool for the job!

What Is the Best Method to Apply Quality Paint?

Once you understand the benefits of quality paint, you still have to make a decision when faced with a painting project. The question remains: Will you use it, and, if so, how? Homeowners typically have three choices. The first is to ignore the need for a paint job and live with dingy walls. However, the appearance will only worsen with time. Your property, living conditions and home value will suffer. It will also be more difficult to repaint if you wait longer, since there will likely be more damage to cover.

The second option is to repaint the space yourself. This option is excellent for those who have the time, skill, tools and willingness to complete the project. As mentioned, you will need quality paint, quality application tools and quality protection tools. In addition, you may need ladders, extension poles, scaffolding, safety gear or other project-specific tools. You will need to gather these supplies, then set aside the necessary time to prep, prime, paint, apply additional coats, then clean up. Not every homeowner finds these steps feasible. Due to schedule constraints or skill limitations, they decide painting is not the project for them.

This leads to the third option, which many homeowners find to be the best solution. You can contact a professional painter to complete the project. They will provide the required tools, skill and time to quickly and efficiently paint your space. With the minimal effort of a simple phone call, you can enjoy fresh surroundings.

If you decide your property could use a new coat, contact the professional Painters Ottawa. We use top-quality products to ensure smooth projects and create impeccable surroundings. We proudly serve Ottawa. If you have a property in this area that needs freshening, contact our team today.

We look at the benefits of hiring office painters in Ottawa. Discover the reasons to spruce up your workspace regularly and why hiring office decorators is a top investment If you run a business that operates out of an office, you’ll be aware that keeping it in prime condition is vital for the continued success of your company. Making sure your office space is clean, fresh and professional has a multitude of benefits – not just for the staff that works there, but for any visitors or guests you may have during working hours.

Tips From Expert Office Painters in Ottawa To Get The Job Done Right

A vital part of office upkeep is making sure the walls are painted regularly. Here are some reasons why you should consider painting your office walls more regularly – and some tips from our expert painters in Ottawa for choosing paint colours and getting the job done.

THE BENEFITS OF A CLEAN, FRESH OFFICE

First, we’re going to take a look at the benefits of having a clean and fresh office. Did you know that having an organised, streamlined workspace can actually boost productivity? Studies show that working in a space which is tidy, neat and fresh can boost motivation and reduce stress among staff. A study by Staples also found that 94% of employees report feeling more productive in a clean workspace, while more than three-quarters said that the work they produced was of a higher quality when they were in a clean environment.

If you have an office with paint peeling off the walls, or dingy discoloured paint surrounding your employees, the place is going to feel messy, unorganised and unclean. Simply giving your office a lick of fresh paint can brighten up the place and make it feel cleaner, which could end up boosting your employees’ productivity.

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

If you regularly conduct meetings with clients in your office space, you’ll know exactly how important it is to keep up appearances and make a great first impression on your visitors. For example – if you run a small accountancy firm and you’re welcoming clients into your working environment, they might be put off if they see that you’re operating from a premises which is not well kept.

If your visitors and potential clients walk into an office and see peeling paint or uneven patches on the walls, it’s not going to generate a positive and professional first impression. They might even take their custom elsewhere if they believe you’re running an unprofessional operation.

Repainting your walls at least one per year can help to keep up appearances and make sure that your guests aren’t put off when they arrive at your offices.

YOUR OFFICE IS PART OF YOUR BRAND

Branding is a crucial part of any business’ success in this day and age – and your office forms a key part of your brand. You need to ensure that your office, its colour scheme and its furnishings actually represent the identity of your business.

For example, if you run a small law firm, which needs to convey a formal and professional image at all times, it might be inappropriate to paint your office walls in bright, funky colours. On the other hand, if you run a trendy tech startup, your office needs to reflect that innovation, and going for plain old white might not fit the bill.

This is why you should consider regularly repainting your office – to ensure that the colours in your workspace are consistent with the brand you’re trying to build.

CHOOSING A PAINT COLOUR FOR YOUR OFFICE

So we’ve established that painting your office is important. Now we need to decide what colour you’re going to use the next time you have your workspace repainted.

Colour has been known to affect behaviour in a number of ways. In babies, it’s widely known that you shouldn’t paint a nursery yellow, because it can overstimulate them. Colour psychology is also used in branding to invoke certain feelings – blue is associated with trust, green is associated with peace and the environment, yellow is associated with youth and energy, and so on. These are things to consider when choosing your office paint colour.

Many office have crisp, clean, white walls – it’s simple and it’s effective. But a study from the University of Texas has suggested that white walls could be counterproductive for office workers. In a productivity study, workers were split into three groups and had to complete tasks in their different rooms: a red room, a white room, and an aqua room. While some people were able to ‘block out’ the effects of colour, all groups made more errors when they worked in the white room.

In other studies on worker preference, many have suggested they like to work in a blue, or blue-green environment. These colours are calming without being boring, and they communicate trust and innovation.

Some people choose grey as a neutral colour – but one colour psychology consultant from Edmonton said that grey lacks energy and could even foster a lack of confidence. If you’re going to use grey, you should offset it with a more energetic colour, like yellow or orange.

So what are the best colours to choose when repainting your office? Here are our recommendations:

Blue – you can’t go wrong with blue. It’s a conservative colour, associated with honesty and trust, which is why it’s used by many banks and financial institutions in their branding.

Green – green is associated with serenity, growth, and security. Darker shades of green are also used to indicate prestige, which is useful if you’re trying to attract high-end clients.

Burgundy – not as distracting as red, burgundy is a formal colour, perfect for more corporate businesses trying to project an image of control and responsibility.

If you’re not confident enough to paint your entire office one of these colours, choose a ‘feature wall’ in your space and balance it out with tonal beiges, nudes or greys, for a look that is professional without being overwhelming.

For more information about our office painting from our commercial painters in Ottawa, get in touch with the team today.

Paint technology has come a long way in a short time. Many homeowners and residential painters are moving towards high gloss paints in areas where they’d never before considered using them. Now, more than ever, you can appreciate the benefits of high gloss paint in many more places than your kitchen and bath. Think of painting your ceilings, or even a feature wall, in a stunning high gloss sheen with deep, light-reflecting hue. Or consider giving your doors, millwork and cabinets an outstanding high gloss look.

Current advancements in high gloss paint chemistry allow seamless application and a flawless finish. At one time, that was nearly impossible with high gloss finishes. However, meticulous preparation is still vitally important. So is using the right application tools, and that’s often best left to professional house painters.

High Gloss Paint Evolution

People have painted things since the dawn of humanity. Cave-dwellers used earth-based colorings to sketch animals on their walls. Ancient Egyptians were master painters, perfecting high gloss looks with paints as well as with glass and stone. Medieval Europeans formed painters’ guilds, and they restricted access to entering the painting trade unless a craftsman served a lengthy apprenticeship. That particularly mattered in applying high gloss products.

When Europeans began settling America in the 1600s, they brought painting skills and materials with them. High gloss paints weren’t a novelty by then. In fact, high gloss sheens were the most traditional paint finishes available. In historic Canada, many folks demanded high gloss finishes. One of the main advantages of high gloss paint was to brighten candle-lit rooms. The challenge for colonial Americans was to bring the sheen down. Early paint technologists didn’t have the ingredients or knowledge to dampen the glow and still have their paints perform properly.

Paints evolved over the past few centuries, but they still serve the same general purpose — to protect surfaces, enhance their appearance and effectively reflect light. Today, we know there isn’t a right and wrong place to use high gloss paint. But, there certainly are right and wrong ways to apply it. That’s why hiring a professional painter is often the best choice.

What’s in High Gloss Paint?

To appreciate the benefits and advantages of using high gloss paint, you might find it helpful to know what’s in it. Paint gloss or sheen is the measure of the finished surface’s ability to reflect or diffuse light. Gloss paints shine because their finish is mirror-like. Gloss surfaces are exceptionally smooth with few microscopic irregularities to diffuse or spread light on an angular pattern.

Flat surfaces, on the other hand, are rough and bumpy when you examine them closely. Instead of reflecting or radiating light back on a direct angle, matte surfaces break light waves into diffuse patterns. Your eye doesn’t catch the reflected rays from flat or low-sheen surfaces the way it does with high gloss paints.

Paint manufacturers offer a range of sheen options in which they measure gloss by percentages. This rating system has been around a long time, and it’s well-described in a 1930s publication by the Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards. They describe “gloss” as the surface light reflecting properties and “glossiness” as the appearance resulting from the surface’s power to reflect light. In percentages, here’s how the general sheen categories rate:

• Flat paints contain one to nine percent gloss ability
• Low sheen paints have 10 to 25 percent gloss
• Eggshell paints have 26 to 40 percent gloss
• Semi-gloss paints have 41 to 69 percent gloss
• High-gloss paints have 70 percent and above gloss ratings

In chemical terms, high gloss paints have a much higher proportion of resins than pigments. High resin quantities allow paint to flow more smoothly and evenly than low resin paints. This proportion keeps the paint’s pigment particles low and embedded within the resin coating, resulting in a highly-reflective gloss surface that reflects light and gives the painted surface a strong glossiness.

While we’re on the subject of paint chemistry, let’s take a quick refresher on what goes into a can of paint. Not all paint mixtures are created evenly. That’s especially true when you range from the flat end of the scale to the high gloss side. Here are the four components you’ll find in every paint mix:

Solvents: This is the liquid base you’ll find the other ingredients suspended in. Today’s paints have two solvent types. One is oil or what’s now called alkyds. The other is water. At one time, oil-based paints were the only way to get high gloss reflection. That’s no longer the case, as water-based paints now give excellent high gloss returns.

Pigments: Paint mixtures get their color from pigments. Pigments range from white which is the absence of color to black which is the presence of all colors. Pigments follow a gray scale from light to dark. They also range in granule size which affects their ability to lay low in resins and give that smooth, high gloss sheen.

Resins: Resins bind pigments together within solvents. Paint manufacturers use a wide variety of resin products, and this depends on how they want the finished paint product to stand up. Generally, stronger resins provide a tougher surface. They also contribute the final gloss condition on the finished surface.

Additives: This is where paint chemistry gets complicated. While you only have two options for solvents and a predictable variety in pigment colors, there are all sorts of additives you can put in paint. Some additives add to durability. Some affect drying time, temperature tolerance and moisture resistance. Other additives contribute to how shiny or dull a finished surface becomes.

Types of High Gloss Paints

Not every high gloss surface is actually paint. If you look at a gleaming baby grand piano, for instance, that’s not paint you’re seeing — it’s lacquer. That’s a different chemical and application process than paint. There was a time when lacquer finishes were popular in homes, but that was before paint technology could match the durability and light reflectiveness of lacquers.

The problem with lacquer finishes is applying them. Your sub-surface must be flawlessly smooth and free of any dust, grit or imperfection. Otherwise, impurities will show through, and the final product will be blemished. Lacquer finishes are usually sprayed on which requires extensive prep time. There is also an overpowering smell with lacquer products.

If you’re looking for a modern high gloss finish, the only practical way to go is with quality paint. Of course, getting the perfect sheen with paint requires the proper preparation and application as well. Paint technology has made it easier for DIY-ers to achieve a smooth, shiny finish, but only a professional knows all the little things necessary to create a truly flawless surface.

Let’s look closer at the two paint bases:

Water-based paint: You’ll often hear water-based paints called latex. That’s usually wrong because latex is a rubber product and it’s rarely used as a paint additive these days. When latex additives were popular, latex reacted badly with most oil-based solvents. It cooperated well with water, though, and that’s where the term latex paint came from. Nowadays, water-borne solvents are highly sophisticated and can create high gloss sheens.

Oil-based paint: Again, we have conflicting terms. Originally, most paints were oil-based with either a petroleum or vegetable solvent. Linseed oil was exceptionally popular as it took pigments, resins and additives well and flowed to an even surface. Linseed oil, like petroleum oil bases, dried hard and shiny. However, oil-based paints had a long curing time and were difficult to apply in low temperatures. Synthetic oils called alkyds slowly replaced true oils. Now, you’ll usually find alkyds behind a paint labeled oil-based.

Benefits and Advantages of High Gloss Paint

If you’re considering using a high gloss paint in your next project, you’re probably looking for its reflective effect rather than its performance. Appearance is definitely important, however, you should also consider what you’re expecting your painted surface to endure. Historically, painters applied high gloss products to high traffic areas. They wanted these exposed surfaces to stand up to heavy wear and tear.

Durability is still a main factor in choosing your paint sheen. Without a doubt, high gloss and semi-gloss paints are tougher and stand up to abuse better than flat, eggshell and low-sheen surfaces. You should match your desired appearance with your expected performance. Much of your decision depends on what surface you’ll be painting. Here are typical applications where you’d benefit by using high gloss paint:

1. High Humidity Areas

Kitchens and bathrooms have always been prime targets for walls and trim painted in high gloss sheens. Brand-name paint producers offered specific paint blends labeled “Kitchen & Bath” which were actually generic paint blends with a high gloss shine. There were two reasons for using high gloss and semi-gloss paint in “wetrooms.” One was to seal wood and drywall to resist moisture penetration. The other was to make cleaning easier as smooth, high gloss surfaces are easier to wipe down and retain their original luster. This holds true today, but you can extend your reach of high gloss paints well beyond your bath, kitchen or laundry room.

2. High Traffic Areas

Entryways, halls, stairs and floors are always serious candidates for high gloss paint. That’s due to the hard shell that high gloss products exhibit when cured. Just as high gloss surfaces resist water, dirt and contaminants, these tough finishes stand up to high traffic. High gloss paints also resist bumps, nicks and scrapes from moving items like furniture and even pets. You can’t get the strength and durability of high gloss products with any other paint type.

3. Accent Features

If you want to attract attention, the most effective device is a coat of high gloss paint. Have you noticed how many front doors glow from reflected light? That’s not by accident or a simple protective device. Smart designers know that a front door is a statement, and nothing speaks louder than a bold coat of high gloss paint. The same goes for interior features. Balustrades, crown molding and fireplace mantles wouldn’t be the same without their characteristic, high gloss shines. You can take this effect further with high gloss finishes on accent features like ceilings, walls and cabinetry.

4. Bold and Drastic Colors

It’s one thing to make a decorating statement with color. It’s entirely another thing to let bold and drastic colors shout out by using a high gloss sheen. Bright, reflective surfaces have a dramatic effect, both with natural daylight and artificial illumination after dark. White is always the classic mainstay for millwork and casings. And, white hues naturally glow with high gloss finishes. But you can achieve astounding results by using deep blues, vivid greens and feisty reds in features like walls, ceilings and screened dividers. All it takes is some imagination and the courage to pull it off.

5. Fun and Inventive Ways

Watch any kid respond to color. You’ll notice they go for the bright, shiny stuff every time. Perhaps children know something adults have forgotten — that high gloss surfaces are fun, especially when used in inventive ways. Your kids’ rooms are the place to start, particularly with furniture. They’ll love seeing a mirror-like reflection off dressers and bunk beds. Consider a high gloss wall in the playroom. Not only does high gloss brighten the area, it also makes it far more durable against bouncing balls and falling block towers.

Probably the only thing holding you back from going wild with high gloss paint is yourself. If you’re a cautious sort with traditional tastes, try sticking with conservative, muted colors but add the drama of a glossy shine. If you’re thinking of venturing in a bolder direction, a bold color can stand out even more with a reflective sheen. No matter your style, high gloss paint is the product for you.

Work With a Professional House Painting Contractor

Painters Ottawa Ottawa is your go-to professional house painting contractor in Ottawa. For 10 years, we have painted homes for thrilled clients by using the right mix of talented artisans, top tools, and five-star eco-friendly products. That includes gallons upon gallons of high gloss paint.

We have an integrated and structured management team. We approach each project with pride and integrity. Our workmanship is first-class, and we stand behind our work with a solid guarantee. Backing up our guarantee is our insurance, bonding, and contractor’s license.

For more information on a top-quality paint high gloss paint service call Painters Ottawa today at (613) 699-5668 . You can also reach us through our online contact form.

A beautiful deck is a great Canadian tradition. Decks add life and personality to the exterior of your home. They can be anything from inviting, classic meeting spaces to an elegant spot to spend time alone or entertain guests. Your deck is an extension of the rest of your home — it can add curb appeal, value and living space. The size and popularity of outdoor decks in the upscale market are increasing, even in areas with colder climates.

Decks are rising in popularity because of what’s happening indoors in many Canadian homes. As walls come down to make room for open floor plans, homeowners are doing away with formal living spaces. The deck has become a revered outdoor space of the modern Canadian home.

Every homeowner should realize that exterior decks require maintenance. Unprotected wood quickly becomes unsightly, as it absorbs moisture. It will crack, warp and twist without the proper protection. The sun’s ultraviolet rays will discolor the deck, whether it’s unprotected, painted or stained. The sun will also break down the wood’s lignin — the natural glue that holds its fibers together.

An older painted deck will eventually need a new paint job, or you might consider stripping and staining it. Stain on a deck will only last a few years. As a homeowner, you’ll have to decide how to keep your deck looking its best. Proper maintenance is an unavoidable cost that comes with enjoying a gorgeous deck.

Is It Better to Paint or Stain a Deck?

A common question facing many homeowners is whether they should paint or stain their deck when it’s in need of attention — and unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a simple answer. Neither option will last forever, but a professional painting service that’s fully bonded, licensed and insured will bring you the best results and can guide you in the right direction.

Let’s examine the pros and cons that come with painting and staining a deck, so you can make the best decision.

Painting Your Deck

There are plenty of reasons to paint your deck, but you should know that it masks the detailed elements of the wood that make it unique. It lasts longer and comes with many color options, but it ensconces what makes your deck special. Paint provides a uniform look, which appeals to many homeowners. Over time, the uniform paint will peel and crack, which looks rather unsightly, but it might be a good option if your deck is particularly old and weathered. Let’s take a closer look at all the details.

The pros of painting your deck includes:

It’s fairly easy to maintain. When you opt to paint your deck, you won’t have to refinish it anytime soon. A quality paint job, finished by a trusted professional, can last for ten years before needing repainting. Conversely, stains need to be reapplied every few years because they don’t offer the same protection against outdoor elements.

You enjoy more color options. If you choose to paint your deck, you won’t be limited in your color options. You can easily match the deck to rest of your home’s exterior, or use your deck to complement the color of your house. Many homeowners choose to paint the exterior of their home while painting the deck, which provides an excellent opportunity to unify your exterior space. Combining the two projects gives you the opportunity to make a striking impression that will last for years.

Paint hides flaws. If your deck is old and weathered, you may not want to display its every detail. The painting will mask the flaws in your wooden deck, making it a great option if your deck is near the end of its life. Painting can restore an old deck to like-new condition.

The cons of painting your deck includes:

Painting traps moisture in the wood. Decks are horizontal, so the paint simply lies on it, which leads to water pooling in certain areas. Over time, this traps moisture in the wood. As the deck naturally expands and contracts with the outdoor elements, the paint will eventually begin to chip and peel.

Painting conceals the beauty of the wood. When you paint your wooden deck, you cover the beautiful elements that make it unique. If you love the look and feel of your wooden deck, you may regret covering up its natural beauty.

Paint is generally permanent. Once you decide to paint your deck, it’s almost a given that you’ll always paint it. You can easily go from a stain to paint, but going from paint to stain is difficult, time-consuming and expensive — it would require going to extreme measures.

What to Expect When You Hire a Professional to Paint Your Deck

If you decide to paint your exterior deck, it’s wise to hire a professional if you want optimal results that will last for years. An experienced professional will listen to your vision, provide you with feasible options and give you a quote.

If you decide to move forward with painting your deck, a professional will:

Properly prep the deck for painting. The professional should spray the surface with a mold deterrent and then cleaned, rinsed and dried. Rotten boards should be replaced, nails and screws should be set below the surface and holes filled with an exterior grade wood filler, which will repel moisture. If necessary, they’ll strip the wood of existing finishes.

Preserve the wood. After cleaning, they’ll apply a paintable, water-repellent preservative, before moving on to priming.

Prime all surfaces. A good primer will improve adhesion, increase protection from moisture, and add up to two years of extra life to your paint job.

Explain your paint options. You can use oil or latex paint for exterior decks. Oil-based paints typically last longer and provide better protection against moisture, but they’re very shiny and don’t withstand high heat over time. Latex paints aren’t as tough, but they hold up better in regions with high temperatures. They also come in a variety of sheens, so you don’t have to use a glossy finish.

Paint all surfaces. A professional exterior painting service will address every surface, including those not directly exposed to the sunlight and other outdoor elements, such as the end grain. It’s important to use at least two coats of high-quality exterior paint.
If painting doesn’t fit the new vision for home’s deck space, consider staining.

Staining Your Deck

Staining your deck protects it from the outdoor elements while maintaining — often enhancing — its original, natural beauty. If your deck is made from a gorgeous wood, you can highlight its unique characteristics and beautiful grain. You’ll likely decide on a semi-transparent stain or a clear sealer for your deck, but stains also offer quite a few choices:

Solid stains. Solid stains create a darker, uniform look and cover most of the wood’s natural elements like paint.

Semitransparent stains. Offering a touch of color but allowing the wood’s unique characteristics and patterns to shine through, semi-transparent stains provide weatherproofing and UV protection.

Clear wood preserves. This type of stain is best for gorgeous wood decks, such as rich cedar and redwood, where you want to preserve the natural color of the wood and showcase its beauty. Some clear wood preserves contain UV protection, to keep the wood from graying over time. Most also contain a fungicide, to protect the wood from mold and mildew. They also contain less wax than a clear water repellent or sealer.

Unfortunately, staining doesn’t last as long as a quality paint job. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of staining your deck, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

The pros of staining your deck includes:

You choose how much of the wood’s color, grain and texture are visible. When you paint your deck, you’ll cover the entire wood surface with multiple thick, opaque coatings. When you stain, however, you can choose how much or how of little the natural wood shows through. You choose the level of opacity — from clear to solid-colored.

Quality stains penetrate the wood grain. A quality stain will seal the wood grain, so it prevents moisture from penetrating your deck and causing it to rot. A good stain generally provides better moisture retention than paint.

Staining allows you to highlight the beauty of your wooden deck. If your deck is made of beautiful wood, right stain and finish will enhance it. Unlike paint, which completely masks the wood’s beauty, a stain allows you to highlight its natural qualities. If your deck is made of cypress, redwood or cedar, and it’s in good shape, you may choose to stain it to showcase its color.

Stain is generally less slippery than paint. Some stains are slick, but for the most part they’re flatter and create a less slippery surface than a thick, quality paint job. If safety and slippage is a concern for your deck, stain is generally a better option.

The cons of staining your deck includes:

It won’t last for more than a few years. On average, decks need to be stained again every other year. A quality, professional paint job will last longer than a quality, professional deck staining. However, an oil-based semitransparent stain can last for three to five years.

Staining doesn’t fill cracks. You can use paint to cover flaws and fill in small holes and grooves in a wooden deck. You can’t rely on stain as a repair method, as it’s thinner than paint and won’t do much to fill in cracks and splinters.

Certain top-quality woods don’t hold a stain very well. Tropical hardwoods make for stunningly gorgeous decks, but they’re very dense and don’t hold stains very well. If you’re determined to apply a stain — understandable considering the natural beauty of tropical hardwoods — opt for an oil-based penetrating stain. If you decide not to apply a stain, apply a clear wood preservative every three to four years, to block damaging UV rays.

Staining won’t hide every flaw in the wood. If your deck is old and particularly weathered, a stain won’t work miracles. Paint may be a better choice if you’re looking for an option to hide flaws in the material.

What to Expect When You Hire a Professional to Stain Your Deck

Staining your deck comes with many different choices, and a trusted professional will explain your options and help you decide on the best option to make your vision a reality. Stain is available in many colors, so it’s important to test an area of your deck with the stain you want to use. The resulting color largely depends on the color of the wood itself.

If you decide to stain your deck, you can expect that a professional will:

Explain all of your choices. There are many considerations to make when staining a deck and a professional will discuss your options with you and give you expert, specialized advice.

Prepare the deck for staining. A professional will properly clean your deck for staining, whether it’s an older, weathered deck or brand-new. Older decks may need stripping, and they most definitely need thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt and other residue. New decks need cleaned to remove any mill scale, which is a crushing of the grain that takes place during the milling process. A professional also knows the importance of adding a wood brightener to restore the appearance of weathered wood.

Properly rinse. Professionals also understand the importance of properly rinsing the deck after cleaning, stripping, brightening and otherwise preparing the deck for staining. If any chemicals remain on the wood, they can break down the stain over time.

Use a prime, premium quality stain. A trusted professional will use a high-quality premium stain. Better stains are more expensive, and optimal results require a quality product.

Both paint and stain can increase the life of your wooden exterior deck. If left completely untreated, your deck won’t enjoy a long lifespan. Paint and stain each come with benefits that increase the longevity and quality of your deck space, but one option is likely best for your situation. A professional exterior painting service can help you decide which option is right for you if you’re unsure.

Address Your Home’s Exterior

After refinishing your deck is the perfect time to repaint your home’s exterior to match. When you upgrade the look of your deck, consider complementing it with another fresh upgrade. Your home’s exterior is a focal point for curb appeal, and you don’t have to go bold to make a dramatic change.

Keep your color palate simple, as consistency and simplicity will highlight your home’s charm and elegance.

Contact Painters Ottawa to Begin an Exterior Paint Job on Your Property

When it’s time to upgrade your exterior, consider Painters Ottawa. We’ve been exceeding expectations for nearly 10 years, and we can do the same for you. We are passionate about transforming your house to a world-class home.

We offer much more than paint or stain jobs. We believe in listening to your vision and presenting you with options until you discover what best suits your desires. We have the industry’s top talent — our team members possess the skills needed to satisfy your request for a magnificent home exterior.

If you need professional stain and clear system or anything in between, we will exceed your expectations. Visit our testimonials page to hear from our many satisfied clients, request a quote online or contact us today at (613) 699-5668 . Choose to work with professionals who stand for quality, expertise, and integrity.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could all kit out our offices as lavishly as we liked? With so many high-end office furniture stores in Ottawa, you might assume every business has a limitless fund for fitting-out and decorating their offices, but the good news is, your office decor doesn’t need to be pretentious or bankrupt you. In fact, there are plenty of office decor ideas for smaller budgets. Here are a few of our favorites…

1. A splash of personality

The best offices spaces aren’t just clean and functional; they also capture something of the spirit of the company. To create a feel that’s personal to you and your business, once you have the bare bones of your office design in place, keep a small part of your budget aside for a couple of unique touches. They don’t have to be expensive, but simply having a feature wall, a few antiques or a couple of vintage touches is enough to make your office your own. When it comes to all office decor ideas, in fact, we believe that the more personable they are, the better.

2. Keep it neat

A clean, tidy office will always look better than a dirty, disorganized one, but sadly, it takes no time at all to look like a storm has swept through it. Thankfully, an easy office decor idea is that you can help to keep your office neat and tidy without breaking the bank. You can keep nests of cables, cords, and wires out of sight with plastic ties and Velcro strips or by running cords along the backside of your desks using eye hooks or clips. Here are a few other tips and tricks to tidy up your rat nest of cables.

3. Bring the outdoors in

One of the cheapest but most effective office decor ideas is to bring the outdoors in. Not only do plants look great and add life to your office space but they also clean the air by filtering out pollutants and neutralising the chemicals found in furniture and decorating materials. They also oxygenate your office to reduce stuffiness, improve concentration levels and boost wellness at work. Here are some of the best plants to clean your office air.

4. Put up a couple of BIG pieces of art

When we say art, we’re not talking about splashing out on a couple of Old Masters. There are plenty of options out there that won’t break the bank and are delightful office decor ideas. Corporate art doesn’t have to be boring. Shun the trite inspirational phrases and go for something big, bold and colourful.

Simply downloading a digital photo online, printing it out, matting it and framing it is a great way to create some unique art for less. And don’t skimp on size. A couple of genuinely big pieces will bring the whole office together.

5. Bright lighting ideas

If there’s one consistently horrible thing about offices in terms of office decor ideas, it’s the fluorescent lighting that runs along most of the ceilings. If your office gets a lot of natural light then try to keep the artificial lighting minimal. Task-lighting that illuminates a particular space or other decorative lights that fit your decor is a far more attractive solution.

Looking for some more office decor ideas?
At Painters Ottawa, we perform office refurbishments & office fit-outs and office painting and decorating services to transform your office for less. If you’d like some more information or a quote, please get in touch.

Although decorating your office may seem expensive, unnecessary and a negative business decision, decorating your office can, in fact, have positive impacts on employees as well as the overall success of your business.

1. Employee Work Output

To create a work environment where employees are comfortable, able to work in attractive spaces and have great access to what is needed for them to thrive in their everyday work. Thus, in order to achieve a high work output from all employees creating this stylish and controlled work environment can be at time paramount to the output of work from your employees. Alongside this, trends highlight that the overall feeling of satisfaction of employees can decrease workplace health and ultimately their overall work output- whilst more subdued and withdrawn employees are, the less work they are likely to be able to produce throughout the working day.

2. Business Attraction

Attracting customers is hard. The first thing customers do before choosing to do business with you is probably looking at how your company is presented. Therefore, decorating your offices (both internal and external decorating) can help to boost the attractiveness of your workplace alongside boosting customer attractiveness with your company. Decorating your company, as a result, can be a long-term investment which can push the number of clients your business attracts.

3. Colour

While often discussed in terms of the overall design you create with your office, the colour of offices have been scientifically proven to affect work productivity. According to a professor at the Lighting Research Centre, NY, results have shown that colour can directly impact work productivity (measuring neurological activity in relation to different colour variants highlighted that some colours can cause us to become more alert and focused). Overall, it’s drawn that different colours can produce different outcomes in employees- and the colour scheme you choose should be determined by the industry you are in. While the colour red is great for building energy and excitement, bright colours are useful for sparking ideas and soothing colours such as green are great for relaxing- depending on the type of outcome you want from your employees, you should consider the colour scheme you choose for decorating your offices.

4. An Economical Revelation

Although in many offices the design and decor is often overlooked and taken for granted, you may now consider that decorating your offices can engineer your employee productivity to the outcomes you need to grow and expand your business. Many other features of the design of your offices can further help you in achieving the results you need- so rather than thinking of your office redecoration as a poor financial decision, instead consider it a great financial investment. Much conducted research shows that the overall design of your offices can impact employee productivity, creativity and how content employees are at the workplace. Research highlights that larger windows encourage an increase in creativity, whilst redesigning your office through situating teams, departments and individuals logically in order to create more efficient workflows.

5. How You Present Your Business

Through this article we have comprehensively covered how decorating your offices are great for employee output and how in the long-run can, in fact, have a great economic turnaround, however a large part of decorating your offices is how you aim to present your business and whether or not the workplace created by you, truly reflects you and your company. If a business owner is to be completely committed to his/her business then they must feel as though they are the complete founders of their company, then all aspects of your business should be choreographed by you, including the design and decorating of your office.

If you are looking for best interior and exterior painting service in Ottawa for your home/residential space or office/commercial space, call Painters Ottawa at (613) 699-5668 .

At Painters Ottawa, we have great painters in Ottawa, and all along the surrounding areas ready to tackle your project!

If you’re not sure you’re ready to get an estimate, there are some easy ways to find out if your house needs painting.

There are 3 common paint problems in homes. Simply take 5-10 minutes to walk around your house to identify any of these problems.

Problem #1: Fading Paint

You’ll notice the paint on your house fading on the areas that get the most Sun.. typically the south and west sides of the house. If you wipe a dry, dark-colored rag or towel on the house, you’ll notice some chalking paint come off the house. If you are noticing this happening, your wood is not very well protected any longer. Moisture can get into those boards and cause warping. The solution is to get a new coat of paint on there to protect it! At Painters Ottawa, we always recommend a full power wash before painting in order to remove that chalking from the house before applying that new fresh coat.

Problem #2: Peeling paint

This problem occurs in all parts of the home. The first places to peel are the areas that get the most moisture. Examples of this are window sills, the bottom of the garage trim, bottom of the door trim, or other places that snow sits. Once paint peels off, the wood is no longer protected. Moisture gets into the wood and can rot the boards. The solution to peeling paint is to scrape the loose paint off, sand the area down to create a good texture, apply a full coat of primer to protect the wood and a finish coat.

Problem #3: Cracking paint and failing caulking

Cracking is a very common problem you’ll notice in the joints of the house where boards meet. Check around door frames, window frames, and anywhere the siding meets the trim. If you notice cracks, this is where water can get behind the boards and got them from the inside out. The solution to this is simple: re-caulk those cracks with fresh caulking.

Now that you’ve found problems and identified, do you need to paint? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no.

The purpose of paint is to protect the house and beautify your home. If the house LOOKS bad, and it’s embarrassing, you should paint.

If you’ve noticed the problems listed above, it doesn’t mean you have to paint. If you choose to wait, you can expect those problems to get worse, you can expect more damage to be done to the wood, you can expect your paint price to go up the next year, and you do risk having to repair boards.

Repairing one board on a house could cost up to an extra $50-$100 per board. If this is the first time you are noticing the peeling paint, fading paint, or cracking paint… it’s probably not that urgent.

Our recommendation: If you’ve noticed problems at your house, now is a good time to paint. It’s only going to get more expensive. The longer you wait, the lower quality the job will be (because the surface is in poorer condition).

Contact us for a free estimate. When you get an estimate from Painters Ottawa for the interior, exterior or fence and deck painting, we’ll show you around the house, identify these problem areas, and show you exactly what we would recommend doing when painting your house.

Kitchen renovations are one of the most expensive items in home remodeling. Cabinetry costs more than replacing the kitchen furniture in many cases. If you can afford the expense, there are a wide variety of designs and styles available to update your cabinets. You can add extras like a kitchen island, lazy susan, or built-in appliance centers.

If replacing the cabinetry is too expensive for your budget, painting the kitchen is a less expensive alternative. Refacing involves replacing only the cabinet doors and exposed wood areas of the cabinets. The insides are left as they are to save money on the job. Painting is the least expensive option and can give the room new life. The job can be easily done over a long weekend with the right preparation.

You will need to decide if you will paint the entire cabinet, inside and out, or just the outside and the doors. To save time, consider leaving the inside of the cabinet alone, you won’t be able to tell the difference.

Preparing the Cabinets for Painting

Start by removing all hardware from the cabinets and remove the doors. Mark the doors, so you will remember which door goes on which cabinet. This will save you time and prevent aggravation later. Protect the counter tops and floor with drop cloths, old bed sheets or plastic sheeting. These can be taped in place, especially on the floors. If you will be replacing the flooring, paint the cabinets first.

Clean the cabinets thoroughly before painting. This is important. Grease and oils from cooking will prevent the paint from adhering properly. You could end up with an uneven color. A wood cleaner with orange oil works well for breaking down grease residue. Be sure to let the surface dry thoroughly before you begin to apply the primer.

Primer is an important step in the process. It provides a smooth, even surface for the paint to adhere properly. Use a roller for larger areas and a brush for small areas. Be sure to coat all areas, including the underside of the cabinets. Consider using sawhorses for priming and painting the doors, for an easier time and a more even coverage.

Allow the primer to dry thoroughly before you begin to paint. Overnight is generally sufficient for the primer to dry. Apply the paint in thin coats. It’s better to apply a few thin coats than to use one thick coat. Allow twenty four hours between coats for the paint to dry completely. Sand with a fine grit sandpaper between coats.

When the paint has dried completely, you are ready to put the doors back on and replace the hardware. Consider updating the hardware to match your new look. Door handles and hinges are inexpensive and can make a big difference in the look of the room.

Choosing Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

Don’t skimp on the paint. Use high-quality paint that is right for the surface being covered. This will be different for wood or metal cabinets. If you’re not sure, ask for help at the paint store.

In general, you will want to use enamel paint. You have a few choices in the finish. Gloss, semi-gloss or satin finishes are most commonly used. The higher the gloss, the stronger the finish and the easier it will be to clean. If you want less shine, consider the semi-gloss finish.

Safety When Painting

Be sure to paint in a well-ventilated room. Do the job when the weather is warm enough and leave the windows open.

Wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt to protect your skin from the paint. Plastic gloves can be worn to protect the skin on your hands.

Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from paint and fumes.

Looking for kitchen cabinets painters in Ottawa? Call Painters Ottawa today for a free quote.

It may not feel like it just yet, but fall is around the corner.

This is really your last window of opportunity to make sure your exterior painting project is buttoned up tightly before winter (you can paint outdoors for a couple more months, but your painter’s schedule will likely fill up soon!). Fall provides even, cool temperatures that can be perfect for painting, especially since many modern paint formulas can adhere perfectly in chillier weather.

For our purposes today, however, let’s assume that your paint is in good condition and you simply want to be sure it stays that way all winter long. How can you set your finish up for success?

5 Practical Ways To Prepare Your Paint for Winter

Inspection

This first step involves simply taking a close look at the condition of your paint, siding, trim, fascia, eaves, etc… Weak or decaying paint should be addressed, as well as any signs of wood rot taking root. Catching these problems early on will save you from larger-scale remediation down the road.

Cleaning

Contaminants that collect and multiply on your siding will break your finish down if left unchecked. Mold, mildew, and dirt should be pressure washed away, leaving a clean, healthy surface behind.

Give Your Landscaping a Haircut

Bushes and shrubs that grow up alongside your house seem harmless enough, but direct contact with your siding can cause rot and damage over time.

Check/Replace Caulking

Dry, brittle caulk provides little protection against moisture and pest intrusion and compromises your home’s efficiency as well. Replacing this worn barrier with fresh material will instantly benefit your property.

Check Gutters and Downspouts

If your drainage system is clogged, or close to it, you’re inviting pests that nest in the debris, water damage, ice dams, and more. A quick but thorough cleaning will protect you from a host of avoidable headaches.

Partner with a Local, Professional Painting Company

Talk to your favorite painting company about performing a pre-winter check! This is an ideal way to have an expert set of eyes check your home for weak points, and provide an actionable plan for protection.

If you live in Ottawa, we invite you to contact us For painting exteriors of your Ottawa house. It would be our pleasure to serve you.

Your Ottawa painter can help to prioritize rooms for painting.

Whether you love or hate painting your home, as a homeowner, it’s a must. Painting multiple rooms in your home can be fun and exciting, but it can also cause a few headaches. In the end, it makes your space feel more like home and reflects your personal style, but the process can be frustrating and time-consuming. To make it easier, here are some tips from your Ottawa painter on how to accurately prioritize which rooms should be painted first.

Bedroom and bathroom: Painting these two rooms first will get them out of the way quickly. This will also allow you to feel at home, even if the rest of the house is in disarray during the painting process. Also, you’ll be able to shut off your room from the strong paint smells.

The kitchen: Paint and food don’t mix. It’s best to paint the kitchen as one of the first few rooms so that your food doesn’t go bad. While the paint won’t directly affect the food, you may eat out more while your home is being repainted, leading your fresh produce to go bad.

Living room: Likely, this is one of the largest rooms in your home, so it is often a monster task to paint it. However, once it’s finished, you’ll be able to move your furniture back and enjoy your freshly-painted room!

Laundry room and utility room: Paint these rooms last so that your clothes don’t smell like paint. Remember to wash your clothes before you start this painting project and don’t do laundry during the process!

To reduce the paint smells around your home, open a window (weather permitting), opt for low or no VOC paint options, and light a candle after painting. Better yet, hire a team of professionals to take care of this for you! At Precision Painting, our experts are fast and thorough, leaving your home perfectly painted in no time. We’re reliable, knowledgeable, and serve the areas of Ottawa. Visit us today to get started!

Determine which paint meets your lifestyle needs with these questions.

Congratulations! You’ve decided to paint your home. However, when it comes to painting your home, many decisions must be made. From choosing the right paint color to contracting the right painters, it can be difficult to make so many decisions. However, it can also be difficult to choose the right kind of paint. Check out these questions to help make the process a little easier so that you can choose the paint that best for your needs.

How Do You Want the Room to Feel?

Color is an important design element. When it comes to choosing the right paint, it’s important that you choose the right colors. Cooler colors like blues and greens can make a room feel more tranquil while warmer colors like reds and yellows can make a room feel bright and energized. Think about what you want your home design to emote so that you can choose the right colors.

Are You Looking to Make a Room Look Bigger?

When painting your home, you have an opportunity to change the feel of your space. One element to consider is the size of a room. Keep in mind that darker colors tend to make a space look smaller while more neutral colors make a room look bigger. Choose a color palette that suits your space so that you can enjoy your home.

How Often Do You Paint?

When it comes to painting your home, it’s important that you consider your lifestyle. If you paint your home often, you may not need to think about the type of paint that you use as much as someone that paints infrequently. When painting infrequently, ensure that you choose a durable paint that can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life.

When it comes to your home, ensure that you choose the right paint. Let the professionals step in to transform your home’s paint from dull to dashing! Contact Painters Ottawa for all of your painting services in Ottawa.

Here we go into a little more detail on how to smooth the surface by applying filler and sanding walls to help you get that genuine pro-standard finish.

The main thing that separates the average amateur DIYer from the professional decorator is the attention to detail during the essential preparation stage. When it comes to painting or wallpapering a wall, every extra hour spent ensuring that the surface is as perfect as you can make it will increase your overall sense of satisfaction upon completion.

Washing The Walls

The first step is to wash away some of the grime and paste left from previous wallpaper by sponging down with a sugar soap solution. This is a good idea even if the walls haven’t been prepared before, because any wall in a living space will attract dust and grease over time, so don’t be tempted to skip this step!

Filling In The Blemishes

If money is no object it’s always worth having the walls skimmed by a master plasterer before painting or decorating your walls, but this is an expensive solution and unnecessary if your current plaster is in reasonable condition. Fortunately, there are products on the market that make filling smaller to medium holes relatively easy for the layman.

Some Walls Need A Lot of Filling!

Easy-Filler is easy to mix and use, dries quickly and sands down with the lightest of touches, making it ideal for the kind of blemishes you’re likely to find on your walls. It doesn’t shrink and sticks to most dust-free surfaces, but it has a tendency to dry out quite quickly so work fast! Oh, and wear a dust mask during the mixing stage because it’s a very fine powder.

Apply it with a plastering trowel for larger areas or a smaller decorator’s knives/wallpaper scraper for smaller holes. It’s dry to the touch within the hour on smaller areas, but large holes will need to be left overnight.

There are plenty of fillers on the market though, so do have a look in your DIY store to see what’s on offer!

Sanding Walls Down

This is a satisfying job that will transform a tired old wall if you follow our advice and this is an essential step if you’ve had to fill holes in the plaster:

• It’s important to wear a quality dust mask for this job – please don’t forget this!
• The grade of sandpaper you require will depend on the state of your walls, but a general starting point of 70-grade will quickly remove the worst of the debris from your walls
• Use a sanding block to ensure a flat sand, and work in a circular motion as you move across the surface
• After your first fill and sand, check the walls again and fill any spots you missed
• Repeat the sanding process but with 120-grade paper
• Go over the entire wall, as a quicksand will help create a key for paint of paste
• Once you’re happy that the walls are smooth you can wash them down again

If your wall’s very big, it might be worth using a quality brushless random orbital sander to make this job easier. Make sure that it has the option to plug into a vacuum cleaner unless you want to make a lot of mess!

Follow this simple guide to filling and sanding walls and yours will soon be in perfect condition for your wallpaper or paint – but if you’re unsure or uncomfortable with the process and live in the Ottawa area, you can always call Painters Ottawa and ask for a quote to do it for you.

When it comes to embellishing your home, nothing can make a real impression on the overall finish when compared to the colors in the rooms. Choosing the colors may vary depending on the model or ambiance of your home. But, by selecting the right color schemes, with little imagination, and hiring the best painters, you can give life to your walls.

With years, paints would lose their vividness, and you will have to repaint them to keep the beautiful lustre of your home. When choosing colours for your home, it is important to go for something unique and different rather than merely repainting the same old shades. Choosing colours can be easier if you break it down into individual rooms. Let us now help you with more options for decorating your entire home with a colourful palette.

Living Room:

The living room is an excellent place in every home to hang out, spend the evening, watching a movie and talk to guests. So, choosing a range of colors that go well together is important for a brighter living room.

The colour you choose depends much on the furniture and the style of decor you are planning to add to the room. You can also mix three tones rich, neutral and lighter ones and play with shadows and lights in the room. You can also go for classic white, black, red or Brown if you have minimal designs. You can also take advantage of the architecture and arches of your living room highlighting them with different colours.

Bedroom:

We spend plenty of time in the bedroom. It is a place to relax and sleep. The best house painters often suggest neutral or vibrant colors for bedrooms. You can also create an ultimate lazy zone with light shades or dark tones. Grey, brown and blue are great neutral schemes that will help you relax after a long stressful day. They also wake you up to a bright morning and help you start your day.

Kitchen:

The kitchen is the place where women spend most of their time in a day. It is the room which you will first face once you wake up in the morning. It is a must to create a sense of freshness and also need to be clean and tidy along with sophistication when cooking or serving meals to the family. Choose a bright palette of colors with light shades for kitchens and make your kitchen a dreamy place for your women.

Quality paints will last longer and suffer from less peeling and chipping. The best house painting company will always choose the best once when deciding the colours and quality paints for your home. So by considering the best painters in wide range of colours available and with your limitless imagination, you can bring your dream come true inside your home. When a professional is by your side, why are you still waiting? Go ahead and create the magic.

Do you want your home be magnificently painted house? Wanna make it look perfect every nook and corner? Call Painters Ottawa to get a budget-friendly estimate on our perfect painting service. Call (613) 699-5668 .

Have you ever considered hiring a house painter? You should know how helpful a professional painting crew is. Paying someone to paint your home for you is entirely worth it.

When lacking free time but desperately want to paint your home, do not hesitate in calling an expert painter who has the time, crew, and equipment to get the job done timely and neatly. Painting contractors are up to date with the most current painting techniques, know the best paints to use, have top quality paint equipment, and possess years of hands-on painting experience. You are better off to leave painting your home to a professional.

Painting your ceilings? You may have vaulted ceilings which is typical in Ottawa homes. Good luck painting these ceilings on your own! First off, ceilings should not be rolled out our hand painted (usually depending on the surface). A licensed painter will have a special sprayer wand that attaches to his paint sprayer machine. This wand allows the painter to get close to the ceilings and spray on the coats of paint without using a ladder. This saves hours in time moving a ladder or going up and down the ladder.

In most cases, having a painter do the job can also save you the costs of materials. It is common that painting contractors who utilize paint supply stores such as Sherwin Williams to receive extremely big discounts on paint and supplies. Hiring a contractor will most likely save you money on the paint (allowing you to get a better quality perhaps for the same price as the generic paint) and painting supplies such as tape, rollers, brushes, and drop cloths.

So stop wasting time trying to plan out how you will be able to paint your own home, or how will you afford the supplies. A painting contractor will provide you with a service to get the job done fast and professionally. A true painting professional will walk you through all the steps he will perform, explain to you the paint he recommends, and ways to save on the project.

If you want to save time and money on painting your home, you can call our professional painting contractor in Ottawa at (613) 699-5668 .

It’s a frequently asked question. Painting a room, not to mention an entire house, takes a lot of time, effort, and energy. If you are debating between a DIY project and hiring a professional, consider first the value of your own time.

Professional house painters in Ottawa will get the project done is much less time and save you the hassle and headaches that typically come with doing it yourself. Not only that, but they will do a noticeably better job. When it comes to increasing the value of your home, a professional painter will focus on details like straight lines and smooth walls using the best products available.

Here are some of the essential details that a professional painter can help you with:

1. Planning

   A professional painting company will work with you to decide how many rooms you need to be painted. how many color choices you will need to make and, most importantly, how long it will take to finish. There is nothing worse than starting a project only to find that you underestimated how long it would take.

    

2. Select a color palette

   A professional painting company has access to the best possible products as well as connections with other reputable home improvement specialists such as interior designers who can help you decide on the perfect color palette for you and your home.

    

3. Decide on a paint finish

   As with selecting a high-quality paint product, a professional painter will help you choose a finish to best suit each room. You may not know that different finishes can affect the overall look and performance of the paint. For example, flat or matte finishes are perfect for bedrooms or guest rooms, while pearl or satin finishes work best in a bathroom or kitchen.

    

4. Prepare the room

   A full-service painting company will ensure that your household items are protected before they begin painting. It is usually best if the homeowner packs up small or delicate items themselves as well as moving any light furniture. Then, the painters will move any heavy or large items to the center of the room and cover with drop cloths.

    

5. Protect floors and woodwork

   Good service means bringing high-quality drop cloths and painters’ tape along to ensure that your flooring, carpets, and trim remain pain-free throughout the job.

    

6. Repair and prepare walls

   A professional painting company will assess your walls before beginning any project. They look for nail holes, cracks, chipping, peeling and any other wall damage that will need to be repaired before any paint is applied. Once the walls are fixed up, they need to be properly cleaned to ensure that the paint sticks and you get the perfect paint job.

    

7. Painting

   Professionals take special care to evenly apply paint so that you are completely satisfied with the results. Hiring a reputable professional means having it done right the first time.

    

8. Final cleanup

   It is important to hire a full-service painting company so that you know the final cleanup is taken care of. No one wants to come home to a huge mess. You should come home to beautiful walls – that’s it.

Sounds like a lot of work, right? Rather than spending your precious free time doing it yourself, let a professional painter take care of the work for you. Now you can simply sit back and enjoy the results.

Have more questions about hiring a professional painter in Ottawa? We’d love to hear from you! You can reach us by emailing [email protected] or by calling (613) 699-5668.