Point your curser under the heading 'Feature Wall'-top left
A drop-down will show up-choose 'edit colour'
A choice of colours shows up-click on the colour and then the shade you would like to try-
Repeat the same excercise for 'Other walls','Trim areas and 'Ceiling'
If you look near the bottom of your screen, you can choose from, a 'Timeless lounge','Contemporary lounge','Beautiful bedroom', 'Cool Kitchen' and 'Stylish Kitchen'
You can view your chosen room either in daylight or in the evening by clicking on the bottom right of your screen headed 'See scheme in daylight/ at night'.
Painting & Paint
Right paint for the Right job!
Paints suitable for use in and around the home can be split into five main categories.
EMULSION PAINTS – for interior walls and ceilings
MULTI SURFACE PAINTS – for most interior surfaces including walls, ceilings, wood and radiators (pre-coated with a suitable primer)
GLOSS/SATIN PAINTS –for wood and metal
MASONRY PAINTS – for exterior masonry/brick surfaces
PRIMERS AND UNDERCOAT – for use with all the above
Emulsion Paints
Standard Vinyl Matt and Vinyl Silk form the basis of any emulsion range. These are supplemented by products that meet specific demands.
Matt Emulsion
Water based, vinyl formulation suitable for walls and ceilings
Non reflective, flat matt finish ideal for disguising uneven surfaces
Silk Emulsion
Water based, vinyl formulation suitable for walls and ceilings
A washable high sheen finish, ideal for highlighting surfaces
Multi-Surface Paint
A water based, acrylic formulation whose characteristics mean that it is suitable for a wider range of surfaces than standard vinyl emulsions
Washable emulsion in a mid sheen that sits between reflective silk and non reflective matt finishes
Suitable for most interior surfaces including walls, ceilings, wood and metal* (*radiators and other interior metal fixtures require pre-coating with a suitable primer such as Universal Primer – refer to PRIMERS AND UNDERCOAT section)
Gloss/Satin Paints
Traditional high gloss, oil based formulations, this market has expanded to include lower sheen and lower solvent containing products.
Non Drip Gloss
Oil based paint suitable for interior/exterior wood and metal
Easy to apply because of its non drip formula
No undercoat required
Liquid Gloss
Oil based paint suitable for interior/exterior wood and metal
A traditional formula providing long term protection and a high gloss finish
Undercoat required
Satin
Oil based paint suitable for interior wood and metal
Offers a more subtle alternative to high gloss finishes
Masonry Paints
Exterior surfaces require special coatings with specific qualities. They need to be attractive yet durable enough to withstand weathering. Masonary Paints are designed to protect and decorate exterior masonry.
Weathercoat Textured
Highly durable, weather resistant masonry paint
Texture hides fine cracks
Suitable for most exterior masonry surfaces
Weathercoat Smooth
Smooth exterior wall paint with a tough, durable finish
Provides long lasting weather protection
Primers and Undercoats
New and stripped bare wood and metal requires application of a primer before the paint finish. They penetrate and bind the surface and allow gloss, satin or multi surface paint to go further.
Quick Dry Primer/Undercoat
Water based formula suitable for priming and undercoating untreated interior and exterior wood
Universal Primer
Solvent based, all purpose primer, suitable for interior and exterior wood and metal
Wood Primer
Solvent based, suitable for priming interior and exterior wood
Undercoat
For use under liquid gloss
Good obliteration hides the previous coating and provides a suitable base for the gloss top coat
Choosing a colour
Choosing colours can be the most exciting and most important part of decorating your home. With a little thought, planning and application, the effects of painting can be quite stunning and original.
Don’t rush into choosing a colour scheme, pick up paint colour cards from Harrow Glass. Browse over them at home and look at them in relation to the room and its furnishings. Above all, look at them in both artificial and daylight, as different lighting can change the appearance of colours.
The floor coverings and furniture are the items you don’t change every time you decorate. If you have an off cut of carpet, furnishing fabric or curtain, take them with you when choosing the paint as it makes planning a scheme much easier. Alternatively can order (via the internet) Berger tester tubes and paint a section of your walls.
The size and shape of a room must be taken into account when deciding on a colour scheme. So must the aspect – warm colours will make a cold room seem cosy, while cool colours can create a fresh atmosphere in a small room.
It is possible, by using colour schemes in the right way, to make the dimensions of your room appear different. Strong or warm colours will make the walls appear nearer, as will strong patterns. The opposite happens if cool pastel colours are used, creating the impression of more space.
If you think a ceiling is too high, a strong colour will make it appear lower. The more colours you use, the warmer and cosier the effect will be.
Good preparation of all work surfaces is vital to top quality decorating. This means removing all dirt, grease, loose and flaking materials; repairing cracks and holes and removing decay, whether you are planning to decorate inside or out.
It is a good idea to allow a little extra time and effort to thoroughly clean and dry the surfaces to be painted. The following sections tell you how best to prepare the majority of surfaces found in the home for painting and how to remedy any faults before you start.
Preparing walls and ceilings
New Plaster
Plaster must be clean and dry before painting.
Rub off any surface salt that emerges with a dry cloth.
Do not wash it off – this will simply wet the salts which will then be re-absorbed by the wall.
Previously Painted Walls
If the walls and paintwork to be re-painted are sound, wash over with diluted washing-up liquid to remove dust and grease.
Wash from the floor upwards, to ensure no streaks will appear from water running down.
Rinse clean and allow to dry.
If there are any cracks, repair with filler, but do give this time to dry.
Dampness
It is not advisable to paint over damp areas.
The only real solution to this problem is to find out why it is damp and treat it correctly – this may entail seeking specialist advice.
Mould Growth
Mould is usually due to a buildup of condensation, so improving ventilation will help..
The affected surface should be sterilised with a solution of Fungicide Solution*(such as Muffycid), always following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Filling Plaster Cracks and Holes
In cases where the wall has larger holes and cracks, cut them back to a sound edge, removing all loose material. Dust over and apply a filler.
If the hole is quite large, fill it in stages, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly before applying the next. Sand flat when dry.
Small cracks should be smoothed over with a fine ‘surface’ filler.
Preparation of woodwork
New Woodwork
New woodwork may have rough edges and splinters. These should be sanded down and any rough edge rounded off.
Where the wood is darker due to knots or resin, overpaint with knotting to prevent a show-through.
To give a smooth, solid finish, fill crackers and joins with a filler before you paint. Open graining and scratches can be smoothed over with a fine surface filler and then when dry, rubbed over with sandpaper and dusted off.
Prime with one coat of Berger Universal Primer, which should be well brushed into the wood.
Previously Painted Woodwork
On sound woodwork, prepare for painting by washing down with diluted washing-up liquid and rub over with wet and dry paper before a final rinse. Wash from the bottom upwards.
Where paint is loose, remove it with sandpaper and dust clean. Any cracks or joints should be filled and sanded smooth when dry.
Prepare and paint exteriors
Extra tools you will need
Extension ladder – is the most important extra tool needed for exterior painting. Make sure that you buy or hire one that when in position is 60-90cm taller than the highest point to be reached. Use ladders with care and make sure that they are safe before climbing. The ideal distance from the wall is about 25cm for every metre of the ladder height.
S-Hook – this is used to hang the paint tin on a ladder rung, which then allows the painter to move more freely.
Stiff bristle brush – for removing loose flaking material.
Wall brush – this should be fairly stiff for applying paint to exterior walls.
Preparation
Try to choose a dry day when there is not too much wind about.
Complete all stripping and rubbing down before you start painting, so that the dust and flakes will not fall on wet surfaces.
Start from the top and work down. Clean out metal gutters with a wire brush and paint if necessary. Clean plastic guttering and paint with Berger Non-Drip Gloss if required.
Wash and lightly rub down sound paint on woodwork. Strip off loose or flaking paint as described previously. Patch-prime any bare wood or metal, and make good defects.
Defective window putty must be cut out and after priming, re-puttied.
Brush off loose particles and grime from walls. If the surface is flaking or chalky, it must be sealed after preparing with Sandtex Stabilising Solution. Use exterior filler for cracks and defects on walls.
Order of painting
Barge boards, gutter fascias, gutters and eaves.
Walls – starting at the top, paint in sections, working from right to left.
Work your way across the house. First the top, then the middle and finally the lower part.
Follow the sun – this will ensure that surfaces are free from dew and in a warm condition. Do not paint in direct sunlight as this leads to blistering while drying.
Fall pipes – to paint behind pipes and paint only the walls, use a piece of cardboard as a mask.
Windows and doors – avoid gloss painting in windy, dusty conditions.
