A fresh look for your home
With so many choices out there it can be hard to decide which
colours will look best in your home. Our In Home Colour Consultation
enables us to work together to find out what will highlight
your rooms and complement your existing decor.
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Matte/Flat
A matte finish would be suitable for ceilings and low traffic
areas where sticky fingers from wandering hands aren’t an
issue. Matte paint is a good choice for an imperfect wall
or surface.
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Eggshell
Eggshell finish is one of the most requested on our projects.
It has a noticeable sheen upon application and is a great
reflector of light. Great for hiding minor imperfections
on a surface. Easy to clean and maintains that freshly painted
look.
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Semi-Gloss
A semi gloss is most often used in high traffic areas where
regular contact is made. Doors and frames, trim and cabinetry
are all good candidates for a good quality semi gloss. So
long as the surface is free from defects and indentations,
a semi gloss is a durable choice for those tougher areas.
It can withstand frequent cleaning with the appropriate
product
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Gloss
A high gloss paint would be a chosen finish for cabinetry
and trim. Due to its reflective qualities it can be unflattering
when used improperly. Contemporary homes and modern interiors
have utilised both a high gloss finish and an eggshell with
outstanding results.
Make a great first impression
With
Canada’s often harsh climate, buildings show the adverse affects
of our cold winters and hot summers, making the best paint jobs
look aged and worn out sooner than more stable climates. Common
signs of weather damage are: cracked and peeling paint, fading,
water damage, mould, wood rot and even damage to the surface
underneath the paint.
The key to beautiful exterior paint jobs is always surface
preparation. There are three steps to a good surface prep job:
- Clean the surface using soapy water for wood trim and
siding or a pressure washer for bricks and masonry
- Remove any loose paint, fill and sand smooth on surface
to be painted
- Prime and seal surfaces with the appropriate primer
Once the substrate is cleaned, repaired of any damage and
primed the finishing coats are carefully applied using a brush
and roller or spray equipment. With today’s technologies, exterior
paints and stains are always being reformulated and refined
to make them more durable, colourfast and eco-friendly.
Traditionally, because of our climate and its extremities,
oil paint has been the first choice of painters due to its durability
outside. While oil (or alkyd as it is often called) is a good
candidate for exteriors, it is not particularly good for the
environment. The fumes from the paint release harmful vapors
called VOCs into the atmosphere. Cleaning tools used with oil
paints requires solvents which are also harmful in the air we
breathe and in our water.
Beautiful Decks & Fences
Due
to exposure to UV rays and weather extremes your deck can begin
to fade, crack, split and warp. Depending on the state of the
wood we begin by cleaning the deck with a pressure washer and
then applying a wood cleaner if necessary. Just as Rome wasn’t
built in a day neither can a deck be finished in a day. For
best results after the prep we would lightly sand the area to
be stained for smooth results. Once we are satisfied that the
deck is prepped and dry for staining we can start the application
process.
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Why do I need to stain my deck?
Being an outdoor room or an extension of your property you
want it to reflect the atmosphere in your home so we recommend
treating it like an indoor room. Tender loving care is required
and in return you can enjoy a beautiful deck for longer.
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How come my deck looks grey?
Greying is a term used to describe the damage done by the
weather. A brightener can remedy this before applying a
new coat of stain.
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What’s the best time of year to apply
stain?
The best time to apply stain is during spring or fall when
the climate is not too hot and not too cold.
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How do I keep my deck clean?
Just like you would keep you floor clean in the house. Get
rid of debris that builds up in the corners, removing all
leaves and other particles. Wash the deck according to instructions
we provide. Enjoy your fabulous new deck and furniture treatment
and look after it and it will stay looking great for years.
Wallpaper is vogue again!
Wallpaper is much like paint in the sense that it is being used
to transform the atmosphere of your space. Unlike paint, wallpaper
opens up a whole plethora of options with colours, patterns,
textures and even the papers sheen. While this may seem daunting
at first, choosing from such a range of variables for your space
can be quite exciting.
Here are four of the most common types of wall covering:
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Solid Paper:
The most basic of paper wall coverings. This covering has
no vinyl backing to it, therefore it is more fragile than
other paper coverings and requires more care taken during
application and when cleaning it.
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Vinyl-Coated Paper:
Paper wall covering with a thin vinyl coating. The vinyl
reinforcement makes this a bit more durable than a solid
paper wall covering while maintaining the same appearance
as solid paper. Vinyl-coated paper still tends to need careful
application and a light touch when cleaning it.
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Paper-Backed Vinyl Paper:
This covering has a vinyl layer on top with a layer of paper
as the backing. This is a very common choice for consumers
these days. It generally comes pre-pasted and it is more
washable than the previous examples.
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Fabric-Backed Vinyl:
A vinyl wall covering with a fabric backing. The most common
fabric used is either made of cheesecloth or fibreglass.
This type of wall covering is stronger and heavier than
the previous examples making it washable and, because it
is less likely to tear it can be stripped and not damage
the substrate underneath.
The colours you desire
Here
at Element Painters Inc. we like to inform you of all your options.
We work with you to acheive a colour scheme that is right for
your environment. Your colour choices should work with your
furnishings and artwork.
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Red
Passion, Strength, Power, Energy and Romance
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Blue
Calming, Airy, Light, Cooling, Serenity and Balance
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Green
Refreshing, Calming, Grounded, Fertility and Riches
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Yellow
Joyful, Peacefulness, Mellow, Calming and Content
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Orange
Energising, Fast Paced, Excitable and Glowing
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Purple
Healing, Creativity, Concentration and Free thinking
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White
Purity, Cleanliness, Peace, Clarity and Openness
