interior house paint

  • Exterior Painting, Interior Painting

    Interior and Exterior House Painting Trends for 2024

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    As we step into 2024, house painting trends are evolving with vibrant trends that blend traditional aesthetics with modern innovation. Both interior and exterior painting are seeing shifts in color preferences, paint technologies, and consumer demands for durability and eco-friendliness. This article explores the key house painting trends shaping the house painting industry in 2024, offering insights for homeowners and industry professionals alike.

    House Painting Trends Neutral Colors
    House Painting Trends Neutral Colors

    The Color Revolution in Interiors

    Bold and Moody Tones. This year, interiors are getting a dramatic makeover with bold and moody tones leading the charge. Deep greens, rich blues, and vibrant peaches are making their way onto walls, transforming spaces into cozy sanctuaries that encourage relaxation and reflection. Brands like Glidden and Dutch Boy have introduced shades such as **Limitless** and **Ironside**, respectively, which not only add depth but also bring nature’s calming essence indoors.

    Neutrals Reimagined. Neutrals are anything but boring in 2024. Moving away from the traditional beiges, paint companies are innovating with neutrals that have a twist. The aim is to create backdrops that stand out with an element of interest, making spaces feel sophisticated yet welcoming. **Peach Fuzz by Pantone** stands out as a testament to this trend, offering a warm and cozy peach shade that infuses spaces with a playful yet refined vibe.

    Wellness and Restoration. Colors that evoke a sense of well-being and restoration are in high demand. Shades like **Renew Blue by Valspar** and **Persimmon by HGTV Home, Sherwin-Williams** promote tranquility and rejuvenation, reflecting a growing desire for homes to serve as restorative retreats from the fast pace of modern life.

    Exterior House Painting Trends: Durability Meets Aesthetics

    Timeless Whites and Grays. For exteriors, timeless whites and grays remain popular, but with a twist towards warmer undertones and more complex shades. **Pure White SW 7005** by Sherwin-Williams exemplifies this trend, offering versatility and a balanced backdrop for any architectural style.

    Nature-Inspired Hues. Exterior colors in 2024 are deeply inspired by nature. Shades like **Pewter Green SW 6208** and **Lucerne AF-530** bring the outdoors in, with colors that echo the earth’s beauty and complexity. These colors not only enhance the home’s aesthetics but also blend harmoniously with natural surroundings.

    Vibrant Accents. Vibrant accents are making bold statements on doors and trim. Colors such as **Wasabi AF-430** and **Fireweed SW 6328** offer a sophisticated yet eye-catching pop of color, perfect for adding personality and flair to any exterior.

    Innovations in Paint Technology

    The industry is witnessing significant advancements in paint technology, focusing on durability, eco-friendliness, and ease of application. Ceramic coatings, like those offered by Rhino Shield, are gaining popularity for their long-lasting and weather-resistant properties. Additionally, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and non-toxic paints are becoming a staple in homes, reflecting an increased awareness of health and environmental impact.

    Comprehensive Services on the Rise

    House painting businesses are expanding their offerings to include a range of services beyond traditional painting. Power washing, moldings installation, and even holiday light installations are becoming part of the package. This holistic approach caters to the growing consumer demand for comprehensive home improvement solutions, making it easier for homeowners to achieve their desired aesthetics and functionality in one go. If you would like to see our list of services, you can find them on our Services page.

    Final Thoughts on House Painting Trends for 2024

    As we navigate the house painting trends of 2024, it’s clear that color and quality are at the forefront of the house painting industry. Whether through the embrace of bold interior shades, the application of durable and eco-friendly exterior paints, or the expansion of services offered by painting companies, the goal remains the same: to create beautiful, lasting, and meaningful spaces. For homeowners and professionals alike, these trends offer a roadmap to making informed decisions that reflect current styles and future-forward-thinking in-home design and maintenance.

    In embracing these house painting trends, the industry is not just changing the way homes look; it’s changing the way we feel about and within our spaces. As we look forward to the rest of 2024 and beyond, the house painting industry is poised to continue its role in transforming houses into homes, one coat of paint at a time.

  • Interior Painting

    Choosing the Right Paint Type: Three Things You Need to Know

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    How do you choose the right paint type to paint the interior of your house? This question is really three questions in one. Question #1 is how to determine what are suitable paint finish options for your painting project? Question #2 is what determines paint quality? Question #3 is what paint finish and paint grade would work best for each of the rooms and features you will be painting.?

    Paint type: How to choose.
    How to Choose the Correct Paint Type

    Paint Focus

    Let’s first focus on paint finish because that topic comes up right away in every conversation about interior painting and there is often confusion about what exactly is meant by the term paint finish. Before you can begin to seriously consider the right interior paint type for your painting needs you will need to become familiar with the various types of paint finishes and how they differ from one another. You also need to know where those different paint finishes are recommended for use in your interior residence.

    Let’s keep in mind as we proceed that our discussion here will only cover Low-VOC or Zero VOC latex water-based paints that are eco-friendly, non-toxic, easy to use, and clean up with water.

    Paint Type – Finish

    Paint finish is the more formal name for paint sheen. Paint sheen is simply this: the amount of light the paint reflects from the painted surface. Paint sheens have graduated levels that start with no sheen and move all the way up to brilliant sheen.

    Here’s a list of paint sheens by name. Use this list as a general rule-of-thumb method to compare and contrast these different paint sheens.

    FLAT features no sheen.  

    MATTE features 15% increased sheen above flat.

    EGGSHELL features 35% increased sheen above flat.

    SATIN 45% increased sheen above flat.

    SEMI-GLOSS 85% increased sheen above flat.

    GLOSS 95% increased sheen above flat.

    Paint Type – Sheen

    Now that you have a working vision of paint sheen values you can more easily understand why certain paint sheens are universally recommended for certain areas and features of your interior residence. Let’s take a quick look at those recommendations.

    WALLS and CEILINGS: Flat, matte, eggshell, and satin.

    BATHROOMS, CLOSETS, KITCHENS, LAUNDRY ROOMS, MUD ROOMS: Eggshell, satin, semi-gloss.

    DOORS, DOOR CASINGS/DOOR JAMBS, BASEBOARDS, SHELVES, CABINETS: Satin, semi-gloss, gloss. Now we move on to the next consideration and that is: what paint quality is best for my paint job? Paint quality will directly affect both paint sheen value and how well the paint lasts over time and how well the paint can be cleaned over time.

    Paint Type – Quality

    Paint companies have general categories for the quality grades of their paints. They are generally categorized as Contractor grade, premium grade, super premium grade, and specialty paints. Let’s take a quick look at what paint is made of so we can understand how one paint can be classified as Contractor grade and another paint classified as super premium grade.

    Here is what basically constitutes paint.

    SOLVENTS: This is the liquid in the paint that evaporates into the air after the paint is applied and begins to dry. What remains on the wall after the evaporation process is a “coherent paint film” of pigment and the binder. Reminder: Since the paint under discussion is latex water-based paint, the liquid that evaporates into the air after the paint is applied and begins to dry is water.

    PIGMENTS: Simply defined, this is what gives paint color.

    BINDERS:  Simply defined, this is the latex that adheres to the wall and what we think of as paint.  ADDITIVES: These are ingredients added to the paint to affect a paint’s capacity. This could result in a thicker paint or a paint with a mildewcide to help mitigate mildew formation.

    Paint Type: What's in your paint can matters.
    Paint Type: What’s in your paint can matters.

    Paint grades are thus generally defined by the quality and the quantity of pigments, binders, and additives. The better the paint, the reasoning goes, better are the quality of ingredients and greater the quantity of those ingredients in that paint. The better the ingredients and greater the quantity of those ingredients, the reasoning goes, the better the paint will perform and the longer the paint will last.

    BIG TIP Super Premium paints will have a uniquely smooth and sensuous feel to the touch because of the quantity and quality of the binders and the pigments as discussed above. Super Premium paints are also shown to provide a richer, more vibrant look to colors. Premium and Super Premium paints such as Sherwin Williams Duration and Emerald are both promoted as being washable including Duration and Emerald in flat sheen.

    Paint Selection That’s Right for You

    You may be thinking that paint selection comes down to cost versus quality. Here I can offer some encouraging examples that illustrate how different grades of paint, including affordable Contractor grade paint, have each performed exceptionally well for the jobs they were tasked.

    Flat paint on walls.
    Flat paint on Great Room walls

    The builder painted these walls using Sherwin Williams Pro Mar 200 paint in flat sheen, and the walls are well presented. When we were contracted to handle some interior drywall repairs in the Great Room, we used the Pro Mar 200 to match all the existing interior wall paint for a seamless look. The Pro Mar 200 flat performed very well and is a contractor grade paint. The Sherwin Williams Pro Mar 400 Contractor grade paint in flat sheen has also performed well on previous projects where a flat finish was specified.

    Doors and baseboards semi-gloss paint
    Semi-gloss sheen for doors and baseboards.

    The doors and baseboards were painted using Behr Paint and Primer in semi-gloss sheen. The Behr paint was used by the builder, so we used it as well for the interior woodwork painting to achieve a seamless look. The Behr Paint and Primer is considered a top-end Contractor grade and for a semi-gloss it is affordably priced.

    Satin sheen interior walls.
    Dramatic eye-catching colors that were well- balanced together.

    The Client selected dramatic eye-catching colors that were well- balanced together but also striking individually. TSP painted these walls using Sherwin Williams Super Paint in satin sheen. The satin sheen really brought out the energy of the colors and the Super Paint provided a rich canvas and well-tailored look to the walls. Super Paint is a premium grade that offers great results time after time.

    Cabinet Paint Finishes and Sheens

    Cabinets, cabinets, cabinets! These cabinets were refinished using Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in semi-gloss sheen. Emerald Urethane is a super-premium paint and remarkable in quality and beauty of finish. The Emerald is steeply priced but for my money it’s worth every dime. The doors and woodwork were painted using Sherwin Williams Duration in semi-gloss sheen. Duration is a premium grade paint that has produced superlative results job after job.

    Cabinet Repaint Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel.
    Beautiful White Kitchen Cabinets

    Where to Find Interior House Paint

    This might surprise you but in the Denver Front Range area interior paints are offered by numerous paint retailers including Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Glidden, PPG, Old Western, Lowe’s, and there are also various paint companies online that will ship orders. I encourage every Client to discuss all your paint questions with me and to please do so with complete confidence and a sense of adventure. TSP would love to chat with lour Colorado neighbors about paint grades and paint sheens. Feel free to call Ray (303) 909-3349 anytime with any questions or e-mail us your questions using a web inquiry form.

    ***All photos are actual completed jobs, and are the property of TSP Painting Services LLC.

  • Interior Painting

    How to Easily Store Interior House Paint

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    It’s funny, but when people ask the question, “How do I store interior house paint?” they aren’t really asking the right question and that question is: How should I store interior house paint information? Maintaining paint information is the important consideration when storing any latex or water-based interior paint for future use. Here are some quick and simple tips that the pros use to help you get started.

    You’ll Find Your Interior House Paint Information on The Can and On the Receipt

    The paint information will include the following: the paint manufacturer’s name, the paint grade by product name, the paint color, and the paint sheen.

    The Manufacturer’s name is easy: Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, or several other nationally produced and recognized paint brands that you will see featured with the company logo on the front face of the paint can. The paint grade by product name is very important because all paints are not created equal, and it is therefore never recommended to try and substitute one paint grade for another.

    For example, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have several grades of paint that vary in quality and performance. The paint grade by product name will be spelled out in large letters on the front face of the paint can. On a Sherwin Williams can, you may see Pro Mar 200, Duration, Super Paint, or Emerald in large letters on the paint can. On the front label of the paint can, you will see spelled out the type of paint sheen such as flat, satin, semi-gloss.

    Look at the Sticker

    The paint color will be found on a printed sticker affixed to the silver paint can lid and this is a treasure trove of information because it will contain everything, not only the manufacturer’s name, paint type (latex, interior), paint grade (interior Super Paint), color name, but the color formula and the tint base as well, which in many instances is vital information to have at hand.

    Any paint manufacturer will keep store records of your own purchases and the store records for any painting contractor you may hire. If you need to, you can have the store retrieve those records for up to several years after purchase date. But trust me, having the original can with the original formula can’t be beat for the purpose of buying new paint for touching-up or repainting. MAKE SURE that each paint can is labelled as to where it goes within the interior such as Main Floor Bedroom or Family Room or baseboards and doors. Develop your own labelling system to ensure there is no confusion.

    Keep the Paint Cans Clean

    To preserve the information stored on the cans as explained above, it is very important to keep the cans clean during the painting process so that any printed information on the can face or can lid is not covered with slopped over paint. Additionally, clean the cans during and after the painting process plays a significant part in successfully storing the paint for future use. A very smart practice, whether a DIY project or if you’ve hired a painting contractor, is to take photos of the front paint can and the paint can lid then create a file.

    Store Interior House Paint

    Interior paints should be kept in an environment that remains between 60 and 80 degrees, Fahrenheit. Naturally, this would suggest an inside area like a storage closet, utility room closet, or shelf. Also, make sure the paint can lid is evenly and tightly secured to the paint can. If the paint can is clean, the paint can lid should tightly affix itself to the paint can with no gaps or fissures present.

    A good way to affix the paint can lid is to align the paint can lid with the paint can until snugly fit, place a rag over the paint can lid and gently tap the edges of the paint can lid with a light hammer or rubber mallet. Repeat the process a couple of times and remove the rag and inspect the lid. The lid should be tightly adhered to the can creating a flush surface and now the paint can is ready to be stored for future use.

    How Long Does Interior House Paint Last?

    There’s no clear and absolute rule for this but to help answer that question let’s first ask this question: How long after the original paint job can the paint be touched up? That’s the real question, isn’t it. Answers will vary anywhere from six months to two years. Why such disparity? Let’s take a quick look at what factors can make interior paint touch-ups problematic.  

    1) Application Method. If the paint was applied with a roller, brush, or a paint sprayer, the original application method will affect future touch-up.

    2) Temperature. Walls have various temperature differences throughout the year, and this can affect the appearance of the touch-up paint.   

    3) Environmental Factors. These are huge. The following factors are just some that can play a problematic role when applying touch-up paint to previously painted interior surfaces. Sunlight/UV rays, cooking oils, pet dander, humid or dry atmosphere, carpet fibers, marijuana smoke, human skin (yes, I know, but it’s true; you can look it up), heating vent discharges, and just general airborne impurities will all cause problems with touch-up paint matching the existing paint.

    4) The original paint that has been sitting in storage is composed of water, pigments, binders, and extenders. These constituent elements will separate over time causing the stored paint to alter from its original state.

    Shake-Shake-Shake!

    Here’s one of the best things that anyone can do to enhance the longevity and promote the touch up capacity of any stored paint: Shake it up! Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have mechanical paint shakers and they will shake any of their brand of paints for free. If you have a one-gallon can or a five-gallon bucket, have them shaken about every six months. It’s fast and easy because you can have multiple cans or buckets shaken each time you visit your local Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore store. Just add it to your errand list. Done. And while you’re there, check out new colors for any future projects.

    Time for Touch-Ups

    O.k., even if your paint was shaken say, three months ago, before attempting any touch-ups have the paint shaken, again. Apply a small amount of touch-up paint to a small area in a wall corner or on the wall down near the baseboards. Or, if you are touching-up baseboards or doors, same thing; find a remote area to apply the touch-up sample. In this event, if the touch-up paint (and/or paint sheen) does not match up, it won’t be readily visible as if you tried this in the middle of the Living Room wall. Now you decide: does the color and sheen of the touch-up paint match up with the existing paint?

    Keep in mind, as discussed previously, the method of application of the original paint will affect the appearance of the touch-up paint. If this was a DIY project, then you will know the method(s) of application. If you hired a Painting Contractor, method of application should be disclosed in the contract, or the Painting Contractor can e-mail you the method of application information such as the following. METHOD OF APPLICATION: roller using lamb’s wool ¾’ inch roller skin; two (2) full and separate coats of paint applied. You will now know, that to stand a better chance of successful touch-up painting you will need to apply the touch-up paint using a roller.

    Free Advice

    We at TSP love to share our knowledge and expertise with our Colorado neighbors, so give us a call and we will gladly do our best to walk you through the touch-up process, answer questions, and offer suggestions. Also, feel free to use our Web Inquiry form with questions you may have.

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