You can easily give your Jacksonville, FL home a facelift with a fresh coat of paint. It’s one of the most cost-effective and time-efficient ways to update your space. But where do you start? What type of paint do you use? What type of brushes do you need? Or should you use a roller? When you’re ready to start a DIY paint job on your home, your first step should be understanding what you’re going to need - and when. If you follow these tips and tricks, you should be set up for success in painting your home.

Picking Paints

We’ve talked a lot about choosing the right colors to paint your home, but choosing paint goes a little bit deeper than that. You also need to make sure that you’re choosing the right type of paint for the job. And, let’s face it, you need to use quality supplies in order to ensure a quality job. A high-quality paint will offer great coverage, be more durable, and ultimately require less upkeep than some cheaper paint alternatives. Regardless of the color that you choose to paint your home, you should be looking for paints that are middle- or high-grade. These types of paint have more pigments and resins, and they don’t include as much water as some of their lower-grade counterparts.

And, it should go without saying, you also need to consider where you’re painting. Interior paint jobs and exterior paint jobs require different things. Water-based (i.e. latex) paint is more environmentally friendly and easier to clean up. Additionally, they are ideal for indoor use, as they have a less intense odor. If you are painting the exterior of your home, oil-based paints are often considered the best for the job. They offer superior durability over latex.

More About Interior Paint

Before you begin any interior paint job, you need to consider the function of the room. Begin your paint choice by thinking about the amount of use the room gets, and the type of use. If it’s a quiet study, it can get by with different paint than a busy mudroom. High traffic areas need paint that is sturdy and can stand up to frequent cleaning. Enamel paints fit the bill here. They also come in a wide variety of finishes, including high gloss, semi-gloss, satin, and eggshell. If you have an area that doesn’t need so much cleaning, a flat finish acrylic paint can serve very nicely.

On the Outside: Exterior Paint

If you have an exterior paint job that you need to tackle, it’s always a good idea to consult with a paint specialist about the different features of exterior paints. In the past, water-based paint did not offer the same durability as oil-based paints. However, times have changed! These days, many paint brands offer formulators of water-based resins that can hold up to the performance standards of their oil counterparts. As we said before, another added benefit is easy cleanup and lower odor.

Bear in mind, too, that some things are too good to be true. If an exterior paint boasts the fact that you’ll “never paint again,” you should think twice. When your house paint has to stand up to the elements of Jacksonville, FL weather, you know that you’re going to have to paint again at some point. The quality and type of paint will determine how long you’ll be able to go between house painting jobs. So, while you may never “never paint again,” you can certainly choose a high-quality exterior paint that allows you to go for quite some time between jobs.

Brushes, Rollers, & Tools for the Job

You can’t just use any old brush to take on a home painting project. You need to make sure that you have the right brushes and rollers for the kind of paint you are using and the kind of painting job you are doing. For instance, you should never use natural bristle brushes with latex paint - but you’re totally good to go with a synthetic brush or roller. Here are some more things to keep in mind when choosing the right tools for your DIY painting job.

• Your brush should be half as long as it is wide - and the bristles should be slightly longer toward the middle to ensure smoother coverage. You’re also looking for flexible bristles. This way, you can avoid spotty, uneven coverage that can also be a waste of paint.
• Have cutting or detail work that you need to paint? This is where smaller brushes come into play. If your brush is too big, you’ll have a tough time cutting in your corners or painting along woodwork.
• As far as rollers are concerned, a longer nap is ideal for smooth walls. Rollers with a shorter nap work well for rough texture.
• Either way, make sure your paint roller rebounds when squeezed and has no visible seams.
• If you have pipes or other unusual features that need to be painted, you can find specialized rollers to help get the job done right. Rollers for pipes have ridges for smooth, even coverage. Woodwork sponges are good for keeping the paint right where you wanted it. Whichever you are using, you should be looking for tools without loose fibers.

Painting your Jacksonville, FL home can be a very rewarding task. Not only will you add a different look to your living space, but you can also increase the value of your home. A little time investment now can repay many dividends in the future - both in quality of life and in potential resale value. Whether you are looking to take on this DIY job to improve your own quality of life or set yourself up for something new, you should have the right tools and materials at your disposal. These tips and tricks can help you get the job done - and get it done right.