How to Choose Paint Trim

How to Choose a Paint Finish

How to Choose Paint Trim
Did you know that picking the right paint for your interior painting project involves more than just color selection

You also need to choose the right paint finish. Didn’t even think about the finish, did you? That’s ok! A lot of people underestimate the role paint finish plays in the appearance of your newly-painted room.

Choosing the right finish for your interior project will affect the look, durability, and ambiance of the room. Understanding the basic differences between paint finishes will help guide your selection process.

The most common interior paint finishes are: flat, matte, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss. Let’s take a closer look at these 5 options:

Flat

Flat finish is only available in latex paint. It’s clean, opaque qualities make it a great choice for walls and ceilings. It is also the least shiny finish available. Unfortunately, it doesn’t clean well. So don’t use it for kitchens, bathrooms, or children’s bedrooms. The only way to get rid of drawings and fingerprints on a flat-finish wall is to paint over them!

Matte

Matte finishes are also low-shine. It’s perfect for busy areas such as hallways, family rooms, and kids’ rooms. It’s easy to apply, washable, and hides existing wall colors well.

Eggshell

Eggshell finishes are used for decorative finishes because it provides a low shine. It cleans up better than a flat finish would, but probably not as well as you would want in a kitchen or bathroom.

How to Choose a Paint FinishSatin

The most popular paint finish is the satin finish. It has more sheen than eggshell, and cleans better too! This finish is a good choice for woodwork, walls, doors, and hallways. It’s also great for bedrooms and dining rooms. While this finish is washable, it’s not “scrubbable,” so this is another one to skip if you’re painting a playroom.

Semi-Gloss

A semi-gloss finish will give your room a subtle shine. It’s scrubbable without being too shiny. This makes it perfect for moldings, doors, windows – and little Picasso’s bedroom, too. However, because Semi-gloss finishes reflect light, imperfections in your walls are more noticeable. We recommend that you prep your walls and make them super smooth before applying paint.

Not sure which finish best matches your project? Check out this product comparison guide from Benjamin Moore.

Choosing the right paint finish is as important as picking a color. Not only does it impact the appearance of your room, it has a big effect on how well you will be able to clean and maintain your walls!

Now that you know which finishes to use, you are ready to pick out paint for your next project. Still not sure or need more help? Ask a GNH expert in our Greenville or Windham locations. They can help you make the best choice for your home improvement project.

How to Create an Accent Wall with Stripes

How to Create an Accent Wall with Stripes

How to Create an Accent Wall with Stripes

Want to give your living room or hallway a fresh and modern look? Maybe you want your kid’s bedroom to look as fun, vibrant and full of personality as they are. It’s easy to create a dramatic effect by painting a bold accent wall! And the best part about this DIY project is that it’s fun and inexpensive!

Painting the interior rooms of your home can have tremendous impact, and it’s a great autumn project with a modest price tag.

Strive for a balance of linear elements and colors, and don’t be afraid to ask the experts at GNH Lumber for guidance and tips along the way. Get your painting project started!

Here’s how to create a bold accent wall with stripes!

What You’ll Need to Pick Up at GNH:

  • FrogTape® Painter’s Tape
  • Benjamin Moore Interior Paint
  • Wall Primer
  • 2-in. Paint Brush
  • 9-in. Roller
  • Drop Cloth
  • Two Paint Trays
  • 220-Grit Sandpaper
  • Damp Sponge

 

Step 1:

Protect floors with a drop cloth, fill any nail holes and sand the wall. Wipe away dust with a clean, damp sponge.

Step 2:

Apply FrogTape® Painter’s Tape just beyond the corner of the adjacent wall to ensure a crisp, clean line.

Step 3

Prime wall if changing from a dark to a light paint color.

Step 4

Paint wall using a ‘W’ shape with a roller until the whole wall is covered evenly.

Step 5

Remove the painter’s tape when the paint is still wet.

Step 6

When the accent wall is dry, start decorating.

 

How to Paint Stripes on a Wall

Want to make a bold, unique statement? Stripes that go up-and-down make a room with low-ceilings look taller, where horizontal stripes give a smaller room a more spacious feel. And remember, the thinner the strips, the busier the pattern, too.
How to paint Stripes on an accent wall
Here are a few tips to paint level, even stripes on your walls.

Step 1

Paint your base color across the entire wall using the lighter and flatter shade of the two colors you picked. Let it dry for at least 24 hours.

Step 2

Figure out your stripe spacing. Choose a stripe width that can be evenly divided into the wall’s width or height. Generally, 4-12 in. is a good width. For vertical stripes, measure the width of the wall and for horizontal stripes, measure the height of the wall.

Quick Tip: Paint an odd number of stripes on your wall. This makes sure you’ll get a solid strip at the edges of the wall or ceiling.

Step 3

Create your outline. If using a level and pencil, mark your stripe widths across the wall. With your level, draw a light line continuously across, making sure the level is straight.

How to Create an Accent Wall with Stripes

Step 4

Mark an “X” where you want your solid stripes to be.

Quick Tip: Create a guide the exact width of your stripes and use it to make your marks

Step 5

Apply the right FrogTape® product for your surface

Quick Tip: Place your tape on the outside of your pencil line so the paint will cover up any markings.

Step 6

Burnish or seal the edges of the tape. Run a plastic toll along the tape’s edge so paint can’t bleed through.

Step 7

Pull the tape off when the paint is still wet at a slow, 45-degree angle backward toward the wall. Don’t forget to control the end of the free tape so it doesn’t drag along the freshly painted stripes.

Painting stripes takes time and patience. Just follow these steps to prepare the space and you’ll be sure to make your stripes look crisp and straight.

 

Sources: https://www.frogtape.com/inspiration/tutorials/projects/update-your-room-with-an-accent-wall; https://www.frogtape.com/inspiration/tutorials/projects/how-to-paint-stripes-on-a-wall