Then, around 1940, everything changed. Following it’s invention by Canadian Norman Breakey, the paint roller revolutionized how we paint our homes by making the process faster while also spreading the paint more evenly and avoiding brush marks.

Today, few people would choose a brush over a roller to paint an entire wall in a house.

But they have another option too. They might choose to spray paint the wall instead of rollering it.

There is an ongoing debate over whether spray painting or roller painting is best for interior or exterior painting.

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Here’s a quick comparison to get us started.

Preparation Time

Without having to set up the spray equipment, put paint in the reservoir, connect hoses and cords, etc., rollering has a much shorter preparation time. And if you include all the masking that spraying can require, it doesn’t even come close.

Application Time

All the time you saved in preparation will be lost in how much longer it takes to roll on paint. Regardless of the preparation time, you can paint a wall many times faster with a paint sprayer than with a roller.

Painting Accuracy

When spray painting interior walls you’ll need to make mask off everything you don’t want to get sprayed, like the ceiling, windows, door and floor. So rollers are more accurate, but you’ll usually need a small brush to do corners.

Spreads Paint Evenly

It’s tough to pick a winner here. Both spraying and rolling spreads paint fairly evenly, but both can run the risk of overlapping unevenly too.

Clean-Up

While it can take some doing to clean your roller brushes and equipment, it’s not nearly as bad as having to clean the spray gun, reservoir bottle, and everything else connected to the gun.

Many professional painters combine spray painting, roller painting and brush painting depending on the exact surface being painted. Starting with the brush, each method is faster than the previous one, but each method is less accurate than the previous one. That means spray painting is the fastest way to paint large areas where you don’t need so much accuracy, like an exterior wall; roller painting is good for interior walls where you need to avoid getting paint on other surfaces; and brushes help you do the detail work.

If you want to learn more about how spray painting can help your next project go faster and look better, visit the the full-service Spray Centre at our Dixie Rd. and Eglinton Ave. location. You’ll find complete lines of paint sprayers and equipment, from the leading manufacturers, including Titan, Graco and Lemmer, that you can buy or rent. Seminars are regularly scheduled to show you how to spray paint like a pro. And, best of all, our specialized spray paint technicians are available to answer all your questions and help you find the right equipment for your needs. Call or visit the Spray Centre today.

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But who wants to rip out all that paneling, and replace it with drywall?

You’re in luck. There are a number of ways to make wood paneling look cool again, and none of them involve anywhere near the work of replacing the panels.

4 Wood Paneling Painting Tips

Just Paint Them

With the trend towards bolder and brighter paint colours, like Benjamin Moore’s Rocky Mountain Sky, you can use them to to give your panelling a mod makeover.

Lightly sand the finish of the paneling and cover it well with primer before applying the topcoat. But, after that, those old panel grooves will be groovy again with a fresh new colour.

If you want to get even groovier, paint the grooves in a contrasting colour for a pinstripe effect.

Whitewash the Panels

Distressed wood is all the rage in paneling and flooring. You can get the same look by whitewashing your panels. Again, a light sanding will help the paint adhere.
Dilute white latex paint with water, and oil-based paint with turpentine. Use a 2 to 1 ratio of paint to water for thicker coverage, and reverse the ratio for a thinner application.
Brush on your paint and immediately wipe it down until you get the desired colour and look.

Get Rid of the Grooves

Use drywall compound to fill in the groove pattern on the panelling. When you’re done, sand everything and paint the wall. It’ll look like you actually did replace the paneling with drywall.

Wallpaper the Panels

You can apply paintable wallpaper to the panels. Choose flat, untextured paper, or go for one of a variety of patterns for even more new looks.

You can make almost any surface in your home look like new again with a good paint job. Please call or visit us at The Paint People to learn more.

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Here are a few insights from Steve Trescher, director of merchandising building materials at The Home Depot Canada, to help you get started.

Pressure-treated Decking

This wood is among the most popular and cost-effective options for decking materials. A versatile wood, it allows for bending and cutting to accommodate various designs. It also resists rot, decay and termite infestation, and has a limited lifetime warranty.

Cedar Decking

If you seek the natural look of a wood deck, then cedar should be high on your list of considerations. This premium decking material is known for its grain texture and rustic appeal. It’s also naturally resistant to decay and insect damage, making it a reliable choice for the outdoors. Like other wood decking choices, cedar does need cleaning and resealing every few years to maintain its original colour.

Composite Decking

This exceptionally durable material resembles wood, but does not require painting or staining. It’s the perfect deck to walk barefoot on in the summer — it will not crack, splinter or rot. Composite decking also offers the realistic colour variation of exotic hardwoods, and many boards come with grooves on the edges for easy installation.

Heat-treated Decking

Durable heat- and steam-treated wood is less likely to warp, expand, contract, or attract mildew and mould. This lightweight material — also referred to as thermally modified wood — has a smooth, splinter and chemical-free finish in a deep, even tone that, if left untreated, will age naturally into a silver-grey shade. A reliable option is Thermory heat-treated decking, available at The Home Depot Canada.

Your overall goals. When you’re looking at the pros and cons of each material, make sure to consider your budget, preferred design and future deck maintenance. This will help you get the most out of your newly updated living space as the weather heats up.

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Just in case you’re looking for something to do outside this summer, it’s a great time to paint your home’s exterior.

What?! Who paints the outside of their house anymore?

While it may not be as common as it used to be, painting even your durable vinyl or metal siding can be one of the fastest ways to increase the curb appeal of your home.

The Four Different Surfaces You Might Need to Paint Outside Your House

While it’s a great way to update the look of your house, painting your home can mean having to paint at least four different surfaces. And that means four different painting processes.

Here are the different surfaces you might need to paint on your house and some of what you’ll need to keep in mind.

1. Wood

The older your home, the more wood it is likely to have. Wood is the most ‘high-maintenance’ surface you’ll need to paint outside your home. First, it must be painted at least every 10 years or so to help preserve it. Second, you will need to strip and sand any peeling or bubbling paint before applying any new coats. And there’ll be more peeling and bubbling than you think.

2. Aluminum

Still a popular siding material, there’s one very important thing to remember when painting aluminum: use an oil-based primer. Latex paint has a slight reaction with aluminum, which can result in bubbling and premature cracking and peeling.

3. Vinyl

Perhaps the most popular material for siding due to its relatively low cost and high durability, vinyl is also one of the easiest to paint. If you clean it as best you can, you’re off to a great start. And you don’t need a primer coat. The main ‘characteristic’ of vinyl that can be frustrating to paint is it’s patterns and textures, like those on a garage door. They can make painting with a brush or roller more difficult than usual, so consider spray painting textured vinyl surfaces.

4. Brick

It’s surprising how many older homes you see with painted brick exteriors. But its uneven surfaces make it a tougher paint job and residential brick was never made to be painted. So not only is it not an easy task, but the paint’s lifespan is relatively short. It usually needs to be repainted more often than wood.

We’re not trying to scare anyone away from painting the outside of the house, but it can be a big project. Preparation is key, and knowing the characteristics of every different surface you’ll need to paint is key to preparation.

The post Get Ready for These 4 Surfaces When Painting Your Home’s Exterior appeared first on The Paint People.

Embrace Your Inner Style.

The front door is a key focal point of your home, so let your personality shine. “It’s less about the architectural style of the house and more about making a personal statement about your style,” explains Grech. “Like a tie for a man’s suit, your front door can be daring, modern, traditional or classic. Really just have fun with it and make it a reflection of how you want to project your home’s personality.”

Choose a Fabulous Colour.

AF-225 Firenze

“Since it’s a relatively small area compared to the rest of the house, you can afford to take risks and try new colours,” recommends Grech. “An interesting trend I’m spotting on front doors is using a pastel colour, like pink, coral or pale blue. This works especially well with a home clad in white or a pale neutral. Coral Spice 2170-40 and Venetian Sky are two of my favourites.” Just remember that dark coloured brick or stone can overwhelm a pale door. For darker coloured homes, choose bold shades. Grech recommends Benjamin Moore Aura Grand Entrance, which is easy to apply and specifically formulated to retain colour integrity and gloss on exterior doors. Let there be light. When selecting a front door colour, it is important to consider natural light. North-facing homes tend to attract cool light, and Grech recommends counter balancing this with warmer colours like Firenze AF-225.

AF-505 Blue Echo

Conversely, for south-facing homes, the light will likely be warm and intense around noon and a mid-tone, such as Blue Echo AF-505, will look great throughout the day. Always view colour selections outside, to see the true effect of exterior lighting. This will help ensure your paint looks fresh throughout the day and rich in the evening.

Whether you decide to be bold with dark colours or prefer lighter hues, Grech suggests earthy tones tend to work well since they are so compatible with the natural elements of the great outdoors.

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The last thing you want is to make your house look tacky, which can be far easier to let happen when they have a whole aisle at the dollar-store of Thanksgiving & Halloween products. In this case quality is better than quantity. Instead of decking your house out in disposable themed objects, focus on a few essential areas. The best ways to make your home feel more welcoming for fall is by addressing the most used areas, primarily by your guests. The front door, powder room, living room and dining room of course, are typically the most occupied spaces during the holidays.

The front door is the first thing your guests see, and it’s the first impression they have. A well decorated entry establishes an inviting and welcoming home. Benjamin Moore’s new Aura Grand Entrance paint, is an excellent product to use this time of year, with what is sure to be another brutal winter impending. Not only do you get a super durable and resilient finish for such a high traffic area, the Aura Grand Entrance has beautiful colours, handpicked specifically for front doors. My favourite fall colours for a front door this season are 2127-30 Gravel Gray

Front Door Display 2127-30 Gravel Gray in Aura Grand Entrance High Gloss

– a spooky gray for October, but a neutral charcoal for the remainder of the year. Tavern Door and Impressionist Ruby are a close second. They both exhibit luxurious jewel tones to create definition, without overwhelming the area with an intense colour. Use your home’s natural colours and materials that already exist and expand off of it to create a complimenting colour scheme. Explore how a fresh colour on the door can have an impact on the entire house. A new door can make your entry pop, and layering it with festive décor will make your house look up to date, inviting and complete.

On the inside of your home, concentrate on areas most frequented, like powder rooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. The fall season offers some of the most beautiful colour combinations to get inspired. Orange, reds and yellows are evident fall colours, but combinations like washed blues can be paired down with orange and sandy browns. Earthy greens offset perfectly against white and rich browns. Bring the outside in, and utilize the season’s natural and organic elements to create décor displays. Items like corn stalks, pine cones, leaves and logs can be used as indoor décor to create a natural and rustic style. Blend textures for a layered look, especially with a primarily neutral colour palate. For instance, combining rustic textures with reflective or metallic surfaces can provide an unexpected but pleasant effect. By adding festive fall styles, your guests and family will feel the nostalgic effects of the comfy, cozy season.

Pumpkins are the go-to festive décor item. You can play with sizes and height, by including small bales of hay for instance, and combine them with different coloured and textured seasonal vegetation. White pumpkins are a fresh spin on the standard orange pumpkins and you can also try spray painting them in a metallic finish, for a little touch of unexpected bling. Get the kiddies involved in the design process too, by painting pumpkins with chalkboard paint, where they can creatively contribute a drawing to display. This holiday may be one of the last chances to implement the 2015 colour trends that we didn’t use during the year, such as AF-650 Caponata

& CC-620 High Park.

These rich and royal colours are the perfect tones to establish a warm, comfortable setting. Incorporate trendy finishing touches, like ribbons of burlap, glass dome covers, lanterns and mason jars, all of which carry an old world charm, much like the tradition of the holiday.

Whether you’re hosting for your own family or multiple families, with a few of these festive décor ideas and splashes of fall colours, they’ll surely feel right at home this season! So when you’re out for a brisk fall stroll to walk off all that turkey, be sure to give thanks for the abundant inspiration and creative solutions – from burlap wreaths to sparkling pumpkins – that can be found in our own backyard!

Sahra McFarlane
Interior Decorator
Creative Haus Designs

Check out Creative Haus Designs at The Paint People for more ideas on how to choose festive fall colours for your home!

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