Choosing and applying paint to the walls of your house
When painting, the easiest thing to do is choose the colors, but we often forget to analyze other elements that have a big impact on the final result. Choosing the color is the first thing we think about when decorating, but we don’t give enough importance to choosing the type of product.
Choosing paint for your home
Latex or Alkyd Paint?
We’re going to tackle a fundamental question: latex paint and alkyd paint. Oil-based paint, the kind that smells so strong you can barely stay in the house, is no longer produced today. It’s still found on the walls of older homes. It’s essential to apply a primer coat to these surfaces to transition to latex paint and ensure good results.
Today, latex, or water-based, paints are very effective and durable. In the past, we appreciated the washable aspect of oil-based paint, but latex paints now offer the same advantage.
VOC or no VOC?
We’re hearing more and more about eco-friendly paints, and we’re wondering if they’re recycled paint. In part, yes, but there’s another key element: VOC-free paint. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are toxic substances that we want to avoid bringing into our homes. Indoor air can be up to eight times more toxic than outdoor air. VOCs can cause irritation, asthma, dizziness, fatigue, and, in the worst cases, cancer.
We’ll find three ranges of VOC-free products.
1- Common paintings
Although most companies offer paints with no VOCs (or with a low concentration), you should be aware that the colorant you add may contain them. We’ll look into the composition of the colorant to ensure that our paint is truly eco-friendly.
2- At the level of recycled paint
This is a paint made from unused gallons of paint. It’s the most environmentally friendly solution! They generally do not contain VOCs, as they have had time to evaporate during the aging and recycling process. The only downside is that the color selection is very limited.
3-Natural paints
These paints are very rare in Montreal. They are made from healthy, renewable resources such as resins, plant oils, clay, and minerals. Mineral paints include silicate paints, milk paints, and natural lime plasters. They contain no VOCs, are biodegradable, and stain-resistant. They have numerous advantages: they emit very few pollutants during their manufacturing process and have a longer lifespan than conventional paints.
Priming: An Essential Step
We always wonder whether we should apply a coat of primer before painting. It’s never a mistake to do so.
It’s mainly used in three situations:
When applying latex paint over an old alkyd surface to ensure good adhesion.
On new surfaces and repairs for their first coat of paint, again for good adhesion.
When we make a significant color change, for example, we go from red to yellow.
Tell us about your project
Every project is a story. A meeting between your vision and our expertise. In Montreal and the surrounding area, we bring to life renovations that combine aesthetics, functionality, and durability.