RESTON LISTING AGENTS: PAINT YOUR HOME TO SELL!

If you need to paint your home, take a trip to the local paint store or home improvement center, and you'll be amazed. The new formulations and improvements have resulted in a new class of paints for any need.  There is: stain-resistant, odor-free, energy-efficient, kitchen and bath paints, mildew-and mold resistant paints, and as well as a plethora of paints for decorative purposes and special effects.

If you’re building a new home, builders and painting contractors usually know about specialty paints and finishes, but unless you give them specific instructions, they’ll probably spray every room in your home off-white. You’ll pay more for specialty paints, and for a painter who knows how to apply them, but in the long run your home will be more attractive and you won’t have to repaint for several years.

The key to a great paint job is a well-prepared surface. Light playing on a wall emphasizes imperfections so it’s important that the walls and ceilings be smooth and uniform, and well primed. Poor priming results in “joint banding” where drywall joints show through the top coat of the paint.

You’ll always get more bang for your paint buck by buying the best product for the job. For the outside of the house, you can choose from durable, one-coat paints, weatherproof aluminum paint that’s perfect for metal roofs, and mildew-proof, dirt-resistant paints. The latter is popular in high-humidity regions.

Inside, you can use paint that resist stains, paint that is fire-retardant, and paint for the kitchen, laundry, basement and bathrooms that are formulated to resist moisture and mildew. Paint used in bathrooms must be able to withstand frequent temperature changes as well as the water vapor that collects on walls and ceilings. Window frames, sills, and woodwork look best when painted with a smooth, chip resistant paint that’s non-blocking, meaning that freshly painted windows won’t stick.

Energy efficient paint can reduce heating and cooling bills. A new wall finish is available that reflects radiant energy back into the room in the winter, and reduces it in the summer. This paint applies, covers, cleans and looks like ordinary latex paint. Its effectiveness varies with geographic location, climate, insulation, and the number of windows in the house.

For those who have chemical sensitivities, pulmonary conditions, or just can’t tolerate the smell of paint, low-odor paints are now available. These paints have a low level of volatile organic compounds which have been determined by the EPA to be a health hazard. 

Specialty paints are priced a few dollars more per gallon because of the raw materials and involved processes required to manufacturer them. Appearance, application, and performance are increased by the use of specialty paints, so the return on the increased budget is worthwhile.