At Alpine Paint we have trained our people to help you make an informed decision.
Even so, there is a way to streamline your paint selection: Consider the following six questions. They'll help guide you through the maze and make clear which interior paint is best for you.
1. HOW SENSITIVE ARE YOU TO "PAINT SMELL"?
If you dislike the smell of paint you are not alone. You should focus on zero VOC paints, which have no odor compared to oil-based coatings. This means you can paint your dining room this morning and eat dinner there tonight. Ask your Alpine Paint Rep about VOC's. He is schooled in this field and can answer your questions. Older paint formulations emitted fumes as they dried, sometimes for years. These chemicals are not good for human health. Today's formulations have eliminated these chemicals. Not all paints are the same so ask questions and read the labels. Today's paints also make cleanup easy and they perform well on all interior surfaces. These advantages are why latex paints are overwhelmingly favored by do-it-yourself and professional painters alike.
2. WILL THERE BE MUCH ACTIVITY IN THE SPACE YOU ARE PAINTING?
Walls and woodwork can easily become soiled if there is a lot of activity in a room. In that case, it's best to use an eggshell or satin finish on the walls which will resist stains and be much easier to clean. Semi-gloss on the trim is a harder finish and much more resistant to impacts allowing for longer durability. However, if your room will see little activity, you should feel free to use any level of sheen – from flat paint to a high gloss finish.
3. WHAT ATMOSPHERE DO YOU WANT TO CREATE IN THE ROOM?
If your hope is to make the space cozy, then consider using a "warmer" hue like yellow, orange or red; if you want the room to have a cool feel, then choose a "cooler" hue like blue or green paint.
4. DO YOU WISH THE DIMENSIONS OF THE ROOM WERE BIGGER (OR SMALLER)?
If you think the space seems cramped (or, cavernous), you can alter the perceptions with color. Light paint colors make a room seem larger; darker colors make it feel more intimate.
5. HOW OFTEN DO YOU TYPICALLY REPAINT?
If you paint only infrequently, you'll want to be sure to apply a very durable paint that will continue to look good over time. In that respect, the best option is to use a top quality 100% acrylic latex interior paint.
6. HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU WANT TO SPEND ON THIS PROJECT?
If you have limited time, or simply want to complete the painting quickly, then consider using a "higher quality paint" (translation: a more expensive coating) that works like two coatings in one. You'll very likely need to apply fewer coats, which will greatly speed up the job.
Considering these questions takes just a few moments, but the answers will save you a lot of consternation when you're at your paint retailer's. More importantly, you'll leave the Alpine Paint Store with just the right paint for your next project!
