HOME PAINTING TIPS:

Add Sparkle To Your Home With A New Coat Of Paint!

	Photo courtesy of The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute.

(HIT) - As warmer weather arrives in many parts of the country, homeowners are beginning to take stock of their exterior home painting needs.

"Paint serves two important purposes: To help protect your home’s exterior surface and to decorate or personalize your outdoor spaces," Debbie Zimmer says, of the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, "and Spring is the perfect time to begin this process of protection and decoration."

Zimmer offers simple suggestions for an attractive and long-lasting paint job for your home, whether the painting project involves a whole house repaint or a simple front door color change.

Three Home Painting Tips To Get You Started

• Make sure the surface you're going to paint is clean and sound before you begin painting. Even the best quality paints will fail if they are applied to a poorly prepared surface.
• Always use the right home painting tools and brushes. Good quality rollers and brushes last longer and help a painting job move along more quickly.
• Weather plays an important role during exterior painting so plan to paint when the temperature is between 60° and 85° F, and when there is little or no wind.

More Home Painting Tips

"Many people choose to repaint using the same colors that already exist on the house, but choosing a new color scheme can be fun and exciting—and can give your home a fresh and updated look," Zimmer says. Here are some additional home painting tips:

• To lessen the anxiety and uncertainty of choosing a new paint color for your home, start by considering the architectural style of your home. Some styles, such as Victorian, lend themselves to elaborate four- and even five-color painting schemes. Others, like Georgian or Colonial styles, are better suited to two or three paint colors. Usually this includes a main body color, and one or two accent colors for painting trim, shutters, and doors.
• In addition, take into account fixed colors. Consider the colors on and near the house that will not be painted such as, roofs, wood, masonry, or stone.
• Consider the surroundings. Look at the hues of neighboring homes and buildings—particularly those that are right next door.
• Finally, choose a quality paint that is designed for the job you’re doing. Using a lower quality paint just to save a few dollars will end up costing you more in the long run, as you will have to repaint your home much sooner than if you used a top quality product.

By following these simple home painting tips and suggestions, your home will sparkle this spring. For regular painting tips and color trend information, signup for the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute newsletter by simply logging on to www.paintquality.com.