We have put together a new segment to our blog that addresses questions our customers have asked us over the years while also addressing ongoing inquires we get asked on a daily basis. This is common in the painting industry, while being very frequent to painting contractors.

Do I really need to use primer prior to painting my walls?

As a professional contractor, Ireland’s Finest wants to make sure that all our work is top quality while still being affordable. This is a big challenge as interior and exterior painting projects can slip into mediocrity when not done correctly. We use primer on our clients’ projects whenever necessary, but it isn’t universal. Primer is a valuable foundation for any painting project, but it isn’t always necessary. It is needed if your walls currently have oil-based paint on them and you want to put latex over it. It is also necessary if there has been water or smoke damage to the walls surface. Primer can help seal this away concealing frustrating smoke or musty smells.  We have also had clients who want to give a updated look to their wood paneling by applying a new paint color. Primer is definitely a must have to prevent the pitch or sap from the wood from seeping through the coats. You will also need primer is when there is a bold, bright or vivid previous color on the wall. Primer will help subdue this color saving you the time of putting several coats on.

What’s the difference between gloss, semi-gloss, satin (eggshell) and flat paints?

Picking a type of paint can be just as daunting as choosing the color. With so many choices, it gets confusing. We will keep it simple: the higher the gloss, the more durable, easier to clean and it shows surface imperfections.

Gloss: Use for high traffic areas that can acquire marks and scuffs from shoes, doorknobs, backpacks, etc.

Semi-Gloss: Use in areas where it is more susceptible to dirt, grime and grease such as the kitchen and bathroom for easier clean up.

Satin: Use to minimize imperfections in the wall such as pits, bumps and dents.

Flat: Use on surfaces such as ceilings since flat paint adheres to rough surfaces readily. Avoid using this type of paint in high traffic areas. It works well on ceilings since stains, grease and dirt aren’t generally attracted to that surface.