Off the Wall

Edition 16: 17 September 2009

Two interior decorating tips ...

In this issue of Off the Wall, we focus on two tips to help smarten up your interior walls and joinery. 

Question: What paint should we use to conceal surface imperfections?

Painting enables a room or an entire house to be quickly transformed.  Because of how house painting has been traditionally marketed, there is an element of “magician” in how painting is perceived.

The truth is that paint is applied onto a surface and therefore "sits" upon it.  Despite extensive sanding,  some surfaces will never be flat.  Examples include indentations in gib board and lines in timber.  Painting cannot address such surface imperfections.  However, the choice of paint finish can help reduce attention to such surfaces.

Low sheen paint can be used on walls that are less than perfect.  The low sheen level reflects less light and therefore is less likely to draw attention.  Some of Wall Treats' favourite low sheen products are:

• Aalto Colour Matt Acrylic
• Dulux Wash and Wear 101 Low Sheen Acrylic
• Porter's Paints Low Sheen or Eggshell Acrylic
• Resene Zylone Sheen Low Sheen Acrylic

In our experience, the optimal sheen level to use on skirting boards and joinery is a satin or semi-gloss finish.  These are usually surfaces that endure wear and tear and so a lower sheen level makes cleaning difficult.  A higher sheen level will draw attention to the surface imperfections.

Some of Wall Treats' favourite satin or semi-gloss enamel products are:

• Dulux Super Enamel (oil-based)
• Resene Lusta-glo (oil-based)
• Resene Lustacryl Water Based Enamel

Question: Thinking of using wallpaper to conceal imperfections in walls?  Beware of the type of wallpaper you choose.

Wallpaper is making a comeback.  Increasingly, we are seeing clients using wallpaper to make feature statements.  Some clients are re-wallpapering entire rooms.

We suggest in the above tip to only use low sheen paint on imperfect walls.  This same principle applies to walls that you wish to wallpaper. 

There are some amazing wallpaper available.  However, just like glossy paint, the metallic in the wallpaper will highlight all surface imperfections. 

If you intend to skim coat the walls prior to re-wallpapering, then virtually any wallpaper finish is fine.

Readers’ poll.  Did you find this information helpful? 

Click on your choice below and type in 'yes' or 'no' in the subject line.  It will come back to us as return mail.  Of course, please feel free to share your comments with us.

• Yes, I have forwarded these tips to my friends.
• No, I was hoping you'd cover other topics.  (Please let us know what they are.)

Next edition

The next edition of Off the Wall will be published on 12 November 2009.  Until then, ask us a painting related question.  Give yourself the opportunity to WIN enough paint to recoat the walls within an average sized room.

About Wall Treats

Wall Treats is the 2009 Master Painter of the Year.  We go the extra mile to ensure all our clients receive a blue chip service. 

We are registered Master Painters who promise you a stress-free and enjoyable painting experience. 

Many of our clients have either introduced us to others or invited us back because of the peace of mind we provide them.

About this newsletter

Off the Wall is a two-monthly newsletter that Wall Treats puts together. 

Off the Wall aims to share information about painting and home and décor. 

If you like what you have read, you are welcome to subscribe to Off the Wall. 

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Regards,

Daniel and Ashley