Painting: How to choose the type of paint

Given that painting is one of the most noticeable improvements that can be made to a building or piece of furniture, it's hardly surprising that many people find choosing the right paint tricky. Painting is primarily an aesthetic improvement, so colour and look are primary considerations, but painting also serves practical functions. To get the most out of your painting, you need to spend some time investigating the best options before you begin.

How to choose the colour of your paint

There are several ways to help you choose the right paint for your needs:

• Before choosing, get some ideas from magazines. Don't try to slavishly copy these, as they simply won't look the same, and who wants a direct copy anyway? Gain inspiration, then decide how to apply the ideas to your home
• The internet is another excellent source of decorating ideas and colour choices
• To match colour combinations use the colour wheel - your paint shop will have one. Use closely related colours or shades of the same colour for subtle effects or highlights. Colours from opposite ends of the wheel provide more dramatic, contrasting effects
• Colour swatches and samples are great. Once you decide on a colour scheme, try it on with sample pots - it's easier to change your mind when you've only spent ten dollars on a sample pot rather than having litres and litres of a colour you don't like staring accusingly at you from huge buckets

Choosing colour correctly is a simple matter of getting inspiration, looking around and trying out the colours before you commit.

Practical considerations for choosing paint

The main practical consideration involved in paint choice is toughness.

• The toughest, most resilient paint is exterior alkyd (enamel). This requires a few coats over several days, and takes up to three months to fully harden, but once it does it is very robust indeed
• Exterior latex paint certainly dries faster, up to half an hour in hot weather, but is not as tough as alkyd
• Interior gloss and high gloss is the most resilient interior paint. Again, it takes longer to dry than matte paint and requires at least three coats. The first coat must be dry before applying subsequent ones. They are ideal for furniture like shelving
• Semi gloss paints, with finishes like satin and eggshell, are great all round paints for walls
• Matte paints are quick drying but not as easy to clean nor as durable as the glosses

Choose paint based on what your application is, and what weathering, cleaning and general use it will be exposed to.

Choosing paint for your home

Choosing the paint for your next job is a relatively simple matter of considering the aesthetics you are after, as well as how durable the paint will need to be. Use this guide to help you find inspiration, and choose the most appropriate paint type for your needs.