Top 3 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Painting Their Homes?

Painting is not a task that should be taken lightly. Considering that it takes, time, money, and patience, it’s not a home improvement you will want to repeat yearly.

New clients continuously express concerns about their previously painted walls and wondered where they went wrong.  Like any home improvement project, it's always best to educate yourselves before getting started. 

So whether you are choosing to paint yourself or hire a professional painter, Long Island Creative Contracting's list of "Top 3 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Painting Their Homes", could help make your home improvement a successful one. 

1. Choosing the Wrong Finish

When choosing a paint, clients predominately spend their time looking for the perfect color and less time thinking about the most practical finish. In reality, the finish is just as important as the color.

So, how do you choose the right paint finish? There are five different finish/sheen options to choose from when buying interior paint: matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Depending on what you’re painting and the look you want to achieve, each sheen reflects light differently and will vary in durability.

We’ve included a cheat sheet to help explain the differences in paint finishes and, “How to Choose the Right Paint Finish”

Matte or Flat Paint 

• Finish: Provides a non-reflective, smooth appearance that hides surface blemishes like nail holes and patches.  

• Application: Matte paint requires fewer coats than higher gloss paints and is easier to touch up.  

• When and where: Perfect for new construction, drywall, ceilings, and low-traffic areas like adult bedrooms and dining rooms.  

• Durability: Cleans easily with a damp sponge but will be damaged if cleaned with cleanser.

• Style: Great for contemporary or modern interior stylings.   

Eggshell Paint 

• Finish: One of the most popular types of wall paint, eggshell finish provides a low sheen and a soft, smooth finish just like an eggshell.  

• When and where: Perfect for low- to mid-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, entryways, and family rooms. 

• Durability Eggshell paint is more washable than flat sheens, and it resists stains and scuffs

PRO TIP: Eggshell is the most forgiving finish on walls with existing imperfections. 

Satin Paint 

• Finish: Widely considered the most versatile and best paint for walls inside the home, a satin paint finish provides an elegant, almost pearl-like finish and soft sheen.  
• When and where: Ideal for indoor and outdoor use, it resists mildew and fading. Works well in busy indoor areas such as playrooms, home offices, and children’s bedrooms, as well as areas that are exposed to moisture like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
  
  (Photo: coasterfurniture.com)
• Durability: Easier to clean than lower-gloss finishes. 
• Style: Transitional paint finish that can fit any style.

Semi-Gloss Paint  

• Finish Even more reflective than satin with a smooth sheen, semi-gloss paint gives rooms a shiny, sleek appearance.  

• When and where: Because it offers high resistance to moisture, it works well in areas with higher humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

• Durability: While easier to clean than other finishes, semi-gloss will show the most blemishes on walls and ceilings.   

• Style: White and off-white paints in semi-gloss give rooms a brighter appearance than whites in other finishes.  

PRO TIP: Semi-Gloss paints are most popular for doors and all trims. to create an elegant cohesiveness throughout the home. If you choose to use a Semi -Gloss finish on walls, the under-prep work must be impeccable. A gloss finish will highlight every imperfection.

High-Gloss Paint 

• Finish: Offers the highest level of reflection. Gives a high-shine, glass-like finish.

•  When and where: Popular for doors, molding, and trims.  

• Application: High-gloss sheens require more coats than less glossy finishes. Apply to smooth and clean surfaces for the fewest layers of paint and the best results.

• Durability: High gloss paints are the easiest to clean. High gloss paint can emphasize surface imperfections. 

  PRO TIP: Typically used on doors and cabinets exposed to dirt and oil and can also be used for trim and some woodwork

   

2. Not Properly Prepping Your Walls

Have you ever wondered why some homes’ walls look fresh and vibrant years after they’ve been painted? It could be quality or the application of paint but in most cases, it’s the lack of proper wall preparation. If the walls are not prepared properly, you will not get the best out of any paint.  Review these steps with your home improvement contractor and painter to assure the greatness of your paint.

1. Drywall Finish Before painting even begins, you want to check the quality of the drywall finish.  There are different levels of quality when it comes to drywall – from Level 1 (no finish) to Level 5 (highest-quality finish).  Be sure to tell your contractor what level of finish you want for your walls when creating the bid for your project, because the quality of the finish does affect the price.

3. Wall Preps: Nails and slight imperfections in the woodwork should be corrected by the painters before they begin.  The walls should be made clean and free from dust, dirt, and grease spots.

4. Primer: Primer is a special base coat that is usually applied on a new, clean surface that hasn’t already been painted.  It is used as a sort of adhesive to give the paint something to stick to.  This makes the paint more durable and makes it last longer.

5. Pick the Right Paint/ Finish: As we now know, picking the appropriate finish for the location makes a difference. 

   PRO TIP: Benjamin Moore makes a bath and spa paint collection called "Aura". This collection was created for high-humidity environments such as bathrooms and spas. It's mildew resistant, has paint and primer in one, and is known to stand up to repeated washing with no color rub-off.  To view the collection visit, Benjamin Moore.

3. Choosing the Wrong White Paint

The #1 home painting question we receive from our Long Island clients is, "What is the Best White Paint?" The question should be, "How do I Choose the Right White Paint?"When choosing white paint recognizing undertones is key. Two basic tones can be separated as Warm or Cool. 

Warm Tones: If you are looking for a soft glow result, a warm-toned white may be your pallet.  The undertones of red, orange, and yellow, result in a soft glow and welcoming vibe—these shades also combine well with natural materials (such as wood).

Cool Tones: Cooler whites have hints of green, blue, and violet, contributing to a space that looks crisp, clean, and fresh 

PRO TIP:  If you are looking for the closest color to "Pure"  white paint. Benjamin Moore has narrowed it down to two hues: Chantilly Lace OC-65 and Super White OC-152. These whites have little to no visible undertone. 

For the full catalog of Benjamin Moore's white paints visits their link.  "White & Off-White Paint"

We hope this blog is a helpful read before you start your next home improvement project. To read more like this visit us at www.liccinc.com.  

Looking to renovate your home? Long Island Creative Contracting is a home remodeling business based in Miller Place, Remsenburg, Mount Sinai, and Port Jefferson, New York. Since 1980, Long Island Creative has addressed the needs of homeowners in the Miller Place & Suffolk county communities.

Call us at 631-849-1099 to learn about our interior and exterior renovation services.