Painting is one of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to add real value to your home. A good paint job does more than just add color. It can affect your mood and productivity. Quality painting is the most cost effective way to boost the real estate value of your home. Painting your house can even lower your utility bills!

Quality materials and proper technique are critical to achieving a durable, cleanable, and easy-to-maintain finish. As you explore this site, you will find all the information you need to paint your home yourself like a professional.

Many painting techniques are easy to achieve, while others are more difficult and challenging. Whether it's stain and finish work or interior and exterior painting of your home, this site will show you how to paint like a pro and do it right from the start. See some frequently asked questions

Is there an order to painting a room?

Painting a room in the correct order will save time and cost . Begin with the ceilings (1), walls (2) (1 & 2 usually being water-based paints only), doors & windows (3)

How to choose type of paint?

For walls & ceilings, water based paints called Emulsions ( usually referred to as Latex or Plastic Paints by painters) are recommended. You can choose the type of paint depending on the final finish ( matt, mid-sheen, high sheen) and other functional benefits ( washability, fungus resistance, high reflectance )desired. click here for more details

For metal surfaces, solvent based paints called enamels ( usually referred to as gloss) are recommended. Within enamels, there are choice of paints with varying sheen level & functional benefits. click here for more details

For wood surfaces, you have a choice of ‘transparent’ finish and ‘opaque finish’. The former is recommended, if you are keen on retaining the natural look of wood. click here for more details

Use of brush versus roller

Follow the instructions given by the paint manufacturer at the back of the can.

For water based paint application on walls & ceilings : Usually, brush application is done followed by roller for a smooth and even finish.

For solvent based paints being applied on metal & wood surfaces, brush or spray application is done as recommended by the manufacturer.

For pattern finishes like Dulux Duette, special rollers need to be used for specific effect, as recommended by the manufacturer.

How to choose the right colour for my home?

A great way to begin is to see different combinations of paint colors of your choice.

When choosing interior color schemes you will need to take into account all aspects of your current and future decorating styles. From the flooring materials to your furnishings all colors and textures will affect the possible choices and the final outcome of your interior design. click here for more details

When is it a good time to paint?

For exteriors the good time to paint is when the weather is pleasant, without risk of high humidity and rain on the horizon. It is best to avoid painting, in extreme temperatures & humid conditions.

For interiors, although there are no such restrictions – an ambient temperature in-home and outside is preferable. It is best to have some ventilation during and immediately after painting in order to dissipate fumes and it also helps with drying.

Is there a recommended time to wait before painting a newly built house or newly plastered wall ?

There is no fixed recommended time to wait before painting on fresh plastered walls. As long as the walls are dry and fully cured one can paint it. To reconfirm get professional help.

Why do hairline cracks appear ?

The development of small cracks on inside plaster walls and ceilings is not unusual and is normally the result of movement of the building. However large cracks that appear to be getting wider should be investigated by a professional.

Mouse painter: Play with colours and see for yourself how different colours can make your living spaces look different! Click here

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General Problems - During painting

Paint not hiding the previous coating

Possible Causes

Too much thinning of paint than desired

Previous paint-coating very dark and topcoat applied without primer-putty primer

Recommended number of coats of paint not applied

Poor Coverage

Possible Causes

Less thinning than recommended

Surface being painted is rough or not prepared as recommended

Applied more coats than needed

Poor quality of application tools

Dust/bittiness on new paintwork

Possible Causes

Dust or dirt in the atmosphere settling on the surface during or after application.

During surface preparation, the surface is not cleaned properly after sanding. Therefore loose particles may get mixed with the paint while application.